Alcoa Takes More Weight out of New Wheels

Alcoa introduced two new aluminum wheels and says it now has the world’s lightest heavy-duty truck wheel.

The new Alcoa 22.5” x 8.25” wheel, ULT36x, and the lighter Alcoa 22.5” x 14” wheels, 84U61x and 84U64x were unveiled at the American Trucking Associations’ Technology & Maintenance Council annual meeting in Orlando, Florida.

The Alcoa ULT36x 22.5” x 8.25” wheel is 3 pounds lighter than its predecessor, weighing just 36 pounds, and is equipped with proprietary MagnaForce alloy. Highlights include: 

• Savings of up to 0.9 gallons of fuel per 1,000 miles when converting from steel to aluminum on all positions
• A 7,400-pound load rating
• Alcoa advanced finishes High Polish and Mirror Polish
• Alcoa Dura-Bright and Dura-Black surface treatments
• Patent-pending wheel design

The new Alcoa ULT36x wheel also features vHub Bore Technology, which reduces hub-to-wheel contact area by up to 64% compared to other aluminum wheels on the market, according to the company, leaving less surface area for corrosion to form.

In addition, it is offered with a unique valve access designed for ease of inflation and pressure checks in all positions. The system works with traditional automatic tire inflation systems and the Halo Tire Inflator and brings both the inner and outer dual valve into the wheel well for improved access.

Lightweight Wide-Base Wheel

Alcoa Wheels also announced what it said is the lightest 22.5” x 14” truck wheel on the market. Now at just 49 pounds, 3 pounds lighter than its predecessor and made with proprietary MagnaForce alloy, the wheel provides a 12,800-pound load rating. Weighing significantly less than a comparable steel wheel, fleets will save over 1,400 pounds when converting from steel dual wheels and tires on an 18-wheeler.

This and other Alcoa’s wide-base wheels are available with a dual-valve option, announced last year and a winner of HDT’s Top 20 Products Award. Featuring a second valve stem, it allows a tire pressure monitoring system to operate on one valve while air pressure is serviced on the other.

The 22.5” x 14” wheel also is offered with Alcoa’s proprietary Dura-Black surface treatment. Alcoa Dura-Black Wheels offer the same advantages as all lightweight Alcoa forged aluminum wheels. Manufactured using proprietary technology and production processes designed for appearance and durability, Alcoa Dura-Black wheels feature premium detailing in all aspects of the wheel design and production. Beyond the matte black surface, each wheel rim flange and mounting surface appear bright, and in contrast to the matte black face of the wheel. The bright rim flange provides increased protection during tire mounting and while in use out on the road. The bright disc face mounting surface provides protection when mounting and while in use on the rig.

The 22.5” x 14” wheels also are compatible with the recently announced Alcoa aerodynamic covers, in steer and drive positions.