The Pros and Cons of Different Truck Wheel Materials: Steel vs. Aluminum Alloy

Should You Get Steel or Cast Aluminum Wheels For Your Truck?

If you've been hunting for truck wheels for any length of time, we're betting that you've come across two materials that, on the surface, might appear to be similar. More than likely, you've seen both steel and aluminum wheels on your search, and if you're wondering which of the two is a better fit for your ride, we're here to help.

Join our team below as we take you through the ins and outs of both steel and cast truck wheels so you can see which type you should buy for your build. Both have their benefits and drawbacks, and our job is to steer you in the direction that gives you the most fulfillment out of your truck - with that in mind, let's dive in and see what these materials can offer!

Table Of Contents

-Steel Truck Wheels: Strength and Affordability Compared to Aluminum and Alloy

-Pros and Cons of Aluminum Truck Wheels: Lightweight Performance vs. Durability Trade-offs

-Steel vs. Aluminum Wheels for Trucks: Which Offers Better Resistance to Corrosion and Rust?

-Choosing Between Alloy and Steel Truck Wheels: Factors to Consider for Optimal Performance and Aesthetics

-Shop Steel and Aluminum Truck Wheels Online

Steel Truck Wheels: Strength and Affordability Compared to Aluminum and Alloy

The first thing you'll probably notice when looking at Steel wheels (or steelies, if you're so inclined) is how cheap they are. At smaller sizes it's not uncommon to see sets of four steel wheels priced at $500 and below, which makes steelies a great choice if you're on a tight budget or just starting out on your journey.

Another massive benefit of steel wheels is just how strong they are - across the board, steel is a much more rugged, long-lasting and durable material than alloy is. This means that if your truck will be used exclusively in winter, or you spend a lot of time off-roading on harsher terrains, you can trust that a steel wheel can withstand much more abuse.

Pros and Cons of Aluminum Truck Wheels: Lightweight Performance vs. Durability Trade-offs

So if steel wheels are cheaper and more durable than alloy wheels, why do people still buy the latter? For many drivers, it all has to do with weight. The tradeoff for steel wheels is that even though they can give you great performance for long stretches of time, they're often very heavy, and that can reduce your truck's fuel economy, acceleration, and other performance features, among others.

Aluminum alloy truck wheels are often used with much lighter materials, so they're lighter in weight, which allows trucks using these wheels to be more nimble. Plus, alloy wheels have made massive strides in recent years to become stronger and more durable in their own right, so the gap between alloy and steel isn't as large as you might think.

Steel vs. Aluminum Wheels for Trucks: Which Offers Better Resistance to Corrosion and Rust?

One major factor behind aluminum's popularity as a wheel material is in its resistance to rusting. If you're unfamiliar, rust happens when iron in a substance is exposed to air and moisture over time. This can lead to oxidation, which in turn leads to rust, which makes materials more brittle and prone to breaking much more easily. Since many steels are made of iron, you always run the risk of rust building up, which is a no-go especially on a wheel.

However, that doesn't mean you're in the clear if you go with an aluminum wheel. Aluminum doesn't rust because it doesn't have any iron composing it; however, it can corrode when exposed to salt and other chemicals, which can also have a lasting impact on your wheels. In total, though, we'd trust aluminum wheels more when it comes to resisting most forms of decay.

Choosing Between Alloy and Steel Truck Wheels: Factors to Consider for Optimal Performance and Aesthetics

The final category to consider, then, is how aluminum and steel wheels look. We'll start by stating the obvious - most people would say that aluminum truck wheels just look better than steel wheels. The reason for this lies in the way that aluminum wheels are constructed - the casting process used to make these wheels allows manufacturers to put super intricate designs together, everywhere from the spokes to the lips and center caps.

In turn, aluminum wheels just tend to look better than their steel counterparts - the majority of steelies will feature simple, circular "bullet hole" style designs rounding their center caps, which by no means is a bad look. It's just a bit simpler than many enthusiasts would probably want.

Shop Steel and Aluminum Truck Wheels Online At SD Wheel

With all this in mind, should you go with steel wheels or aluminum wheels for your truck build? As always, it really depends - if your main concern is getting a tough, durable wheel for the lowest price possible and you're not worried about looks, steel wheels are the way to go. However, if you want more expression on your truck build, a more athletic feel to your drive, and better resistance to the elements, aluminum wheels are the better play.

Regardless, we have all the wheels you need in stock at SD Wheel. We invite you to take a look at our store page and pick out the wheels that are best for you - don't forget that we offer financing, free shipping, and package savings on all new wheels and tires in our inventory. With over a million packages for the taking, you're sure to find the setup you and your truck will love!