Wheel "Simulators" (covers) on Duallies

Wheel simulators are an all-around bad idea. They can rattle, they can come loose, they can cut valve stems, they can cut fingers while checking tire pressure, and they can hold heat in the brakes. Pitch 'em!

Chevrolet has a nice set up to work with unlike Ford. Ford wheels on my motorhome will not accept center only hub caps.

ericsmith32 wrote:
Sometimes I get to thinking the full wheel cover looks nice. But with the inability to reach the valve stems and possibly loosing them and some serious $$ makes me grateful this is all ours has. Do need to get at least one as one has a crack.

This is a NICE looking setup. Easy to clean, easy to check pressures, not much to go wrong.

Charles

I lost one off a rear wheel years ago. I decided I would just remove the other one. Now I have a spare in case I lose one off a front wheel.

Tonijim wrote:
Has anyone else had problems with "simulators" (e.g. covers) detaching from rear dual wheels on Class C's? We have lost two from two different rigs.-both on the right side. The first on a BT Cruiser might have been as a result of a incidental contact with a stone wall perhaps knocking the unit out of round, while the second (a 2010 Four Winds) is a total mystery. We even secured the other with a bungee. Only noticed it missing after a day long drive - just hope no one was injured behind us when it detached

We were able to get a replacement simulator on line

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Jim

Departure of the right rear wheel liner is almost always a result of tapping a curb.

When we purchased our class C in December and drove it home from Texas, we had all 4 simulators on. By the time we got home to Indiana, we had lost the right rear one. (I'm guessing in Illinois or Indiana since both state's interstates are awful compared to Texas or Arkansas)
After seeing what a replacement set would run, and knowing I'd probably lose some of them as well, I decided to try something else.

The rears both looked like this after I cleaned them with an SOS pad:


Then I painted them with Rustoleum performance wheel paint. (Pardon the overspray, my cardboard moved when I went over those spots. These tires only have another year or so left in them anyway.)


Now I don't have to deal with simulators falling off and I can check my soon to be install Crossfire system easily.

ericsmith32 wrote:
Sometimes I get to thinking the full wheel cover looks nice. But with the inability to reach the valve stems and possibly loosing them and some serious $$ makes me grateful this is all ours has. Do need to get at least one as one has a crack.

I rented a C in Alaska a few years back and they had taken off the wheel covers. I did the same when I got back. It is much easier to check the air pressure. As for looks, who cares? Function triumphs.

DaCrema wrote:

An yes, I am sure someone tried to swipe mine. You can see the marks on the tire and wheel cover where they tried to pry them off like a hubcap. Guess I will be painting wheels now.

They probably thought you had the hubcap style, and not the ones that are actually bolted on.

I have a 07 Lazy Daze built on a E-450. I have had no trouble with the K-II wheel simulators coming off but just last week someone tried to steal one. It is all bent now and will not sit on the wheel properly. Good thing I visually check of the RV's tires and compartments before each drive.
I have the wheels with several round holes like the earlier E-450s and in late 07 or 08 Ford switched to the oval hole wheels. The simulators on our RV are held on by two stud extenders bolted to the wheel lugs 180 deg opposite each other. Each extender has a cap nut that holds the wheel simulator in place.
I have heard of people loosing simulators on the LD forum. Usually after tire work when someone not familiar with mounting puts them back on.
An yes, I am sure someone tried to swipe mine. You can see the marks on the tire and wheel cover where they tried to pry them off like a hubcap. Guess I will be painting wheels now.

Our E-450 is a 2008 with the 4 oval openings on the simulators. They are a bear to get off. I have to use the tire iron that came with the motorhome to pry them off. I don't know about older models, but I can't imagine these could come off driving down the road unless they were not put on properly.

-Michael