Will later model 17.5 wheel fit on '78 models?

[1oleman]

Sent: 1/29/2008

Does anyone know if the later model "dulie" wheels work on the '78 rv's?  I now have a 78 Itasca 22rg and need new rires but cannot find any in the price range I can afford (Social Security)

[rustyescott1]

Sent: 1/30/2008

What chassie do you have? rusty

[denisondc]

Sent: 1/30/2008

And what size tires does it have now?

[1oleman]

Sent: 1/30/2008

It's a M400 chassis with 8R17.5's

[rustyescott1]

Sent: 1/30/2008

Is it 5 lug or 8 lug? Rusty

[1oleman]

Sent: 1/30/2008

It's 8 lug.  The rims are good, just hard to find tires here in Chattanooga,Tn.  Ed

[ClydesdaleKevin]

Sent: 1/31/2008

I'm suprised a 78 Itasca is using 8 lugg 17.5 rims...must be one of the less common Dodge chassis Itascas.  Our's has 19.5 Chevy bolt pattern rims with 10 lugg holes...you use 5 in the front, and all 10 are used in the back for the duellies.

Kev

[1oleman]

Sent: 1/31/2008

Yes, it's a dodge chassis. 440-3 runs great, except the radiator is bad-a dream in the rough.  Ed

[The_Handier_Man1]

Sent: 1/31/2008

I have 17.5 8 lug wheels on my '73 Indian and was wanting to know it any 19.5 wheels fit.  Maybe the UPS man will park at my house someday and somehow his wheels will end up on Wilbur.  What 19.5 wheels fit our Dodge chassis?      Les

[denisondc]

Sent: 2/1/2008

There once were 19.5 wheels with 8 lugs & coined mounting holes that were made for the hubs on the later 70s M500's, etc. I dont know about their availability now - 25 years later. I dimly recall Dan Richter the proprietor At Rickson Trucks near Baltimore www[dot]ricksontruck[dot]com saying he had 19.5 wheels that would work on the coined hubs - but that they were a modern wheel that wasnt coined. He had 'centering' inserts to go with those wheels to let them work on the coined hubs.

[rustyescott1]

Sent: 2/1/2008

Hi , 19.5 wheels should fit no problem . when  i changed from 17.5 to 19.5 on my landau ,only 1 inch diff in tire hight. as for 8 lug 19.5 oui . try rickson wheel or quality trailer products. expect high cost per wheel. Rusty

[1oleman]

Sent: 2/1/2008

Guess that I'm out of luck trying to put 16 or 17 inch wheels on then aren't I?  Ed

[denisondc]

Sent: 2/1/2008

You might find 8 bolt 17" or 16" wheels that would fit - at least that would fit over the brake drums or brake calipers. What you would need to check would be whether the typical tires for those 17" or 16" wheels would have the load carrying capacity of the 17.5" tires. And the 16" or 17" wheels would probably need to be the split-rim type. A one piece Light Truck wheel for 16" or 17" tires (if they exist) would have a 'dropped center' that might prevent it from fitting over your brake parts. The split rim wheels of 16" or 17" would not have the 'dropped center', so would have a larger diameter inside where the brake drum and brake calipers need to fit.
And depending on their age, some of the 16" or 17" split rim wheels might have a maximum pressure stamped on them.

[bluebird]

Sent: 2/4/2008

My 80 Itasca GM chassis, had 16" wheels on it. It had one piece wheels. If I remember right the tires were R235/16 load range E. They didn't cost a lot either. The only problem with those wheels was the stem hole was egg shaped. Had to have special valve stems installed. They were made for bias tires and tubes. There was more tire tread on the ground with those than the one I have now with 8.00 19.5 tires . That's why I think my old coach handled better than the one I now have. A lot of the newer chevy step vans had 16" 8 lug wheels on them. I found a set right here in town when I was having tire trouble a couple of years ago.

Chuck