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3 Types of Wheels: Which Should You Get?

Andrew Cilio
By: 

Andrew Cilio

 / Apr 10 2023
3 Types of Wheels: Which Should You Get?

Steel or alloy? Cast or forged? Polished or anodized? OEM or replica? 

If you don't have a quick answer to all of the above, you came to the right place to learn about the types of wheels and their options for construction, finish, and production. Before you start shopping, check out our complete guide below to make sure you're getting the best wheels possible for your truck.

Key Takeaways:

  • The three main types of wheels are steel, alloy, and carbon fiber.
  • Steel wheels are heavy but sturdy and inexpensive.
  • Alloy wheels are more customizable and lighter, but more expensive and less durable.
  • Carbon fiber wheels are very expensive but are the best option for high-end performance.
Table of Contents
  1. Steel Wheels
  2. Alloy/Aluminum Wheels
  3. Carbon Fiber Wheels
  4. Wheel Construction Methods
  5. Finish Options
  6. Types of Rims
  7. Wheels vs. Rims vs. Tires
  8. A Note on Replica/OEM-Style Wheels
  9. Choosing the Right Type of Wheel

Steel Wheels

Product image example representing the first type of wheel the steel wheel

First up are steel wheels. Extremely durable but significantly heavier and more unwieldy than more advanced options, this classic type of wheel is an industry standard. Here are a few of our favorite examples:

These powerful wheels can take a beating, making them reliable long-term commuter options at a modest price point. They're also tough enough to handle the rigors of unforgiving terrain, so they're popular for off-roading, too.

Their major drawback for most people is that all this strength comes at the cost of weight and elegance. While you can find plenty of bad-ass steel wheel designs that'll look great on everything from a modest work vehicle to a massive lifted truck, you won't likely find the flashy ornamentation you'll find at a show or on the cover of a magazine.

 

Shop Steel Wheels >

Pros

Cons

Durable

Low cost

Perform well in severe conditions

Heavy

Generally less aesthetically pleasing

Fewer design and finish options

 

Alloy/Aluminum Wheels

Product image representing the second most popular type of wheel an alloy or aluminum wheel

Alloy and aluminum wheels are sometimes used interchangeably because, well, they're the same thing. By definition, alloyis a mix of metals. In the case of alloy wheels, that means a combination of aluminum and some other metal like magnesium. (Steel is also technically an alloy, but let's ignore that to keep things simple.) Here are some notable alloy wheel examples:

The main benefit of alloy wheels is that they're lighter and more versatile than steel wheels, making them perfect for high-speed performance cars or tricked-out trucks. And since aluminum dissipates heat better than steel, these wheels generate less stress on your disc or drum brake system.

Because alloy wheels aren't as strong as steel wheels, however, they're not ideal for severe weather conditions or unforgiving terrain. They're also more expensive upfront and to repair, but they enable manufacturers to create some seriously eye-catching designs.

 

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Pros

Cons

Lightweight

Wide range of designs

Less wear on brake systems

More expensive than steel

Less durable than steel

Not ideal for severe weather conditions

 

Carbon Fiber Wheels

Product image representing the third most popular type of wheel a carbon fiber wheel

Carbon fiber wheels aren't nearly as common as other wheels because they come at a very premium price point, but they're worth a shoutout. To bring that cost down, you might see hybrid versions that mix in aluminum, but a full set of these could cost in the five-figure range.

Made from a thermal processing of carbon material, carbon fiber is prized for its superior strength and resistance at an incredibly low density. In other words, it's super strong, very light, and really good at displacing heat. These wheels perform extremely well, come in some truly unique designs, and can even improve speed and fuel efficiency—all at a price point that many drivers find prohibitive.

Pros

Cons

Extremely light

Sturdy

Improve driving performance

Expensive

More difficult to repair

Less common

 

Table image showing the differences between steel alloy and carbon fiber wheels

Wheel Construction Methods

Metal composition isn't the end of the equation—next up is wheel construction method. The way the metal is handled to create the wheel can affect its durability and cost, so it's important to know how the methods compare.

Cast

This relatively simple method for making a wheel involves pouring liquefied metal into a mold. As that metal cools, it's customized to meet the final product specs. This means cast wheels usually have a one-piece construction. It's also cheaper than other methods but can leave the products more porous, making them more prone to cracking.

Forged

If the word "forged" makes you picture a burly Viking metalsmith hammering a searing-hot length of metal into a sword, you're on the right track. Forged wheels are made by superheating and pressurizing solid pieces of metal called billets, which are then forced into the desired wheel or wheel component shape. This process creates a light, tough wheel with a higher load rating that's usually more expensive than a cast alternative.

Flow Formed

Flow forming is a newer process that's somewhere between casting and forging. These wheels also start with a cast, but in this case the unformed wheel gets spun and heated, causing it to lengthen. Since this requires less raw material than traditional casting, it creates wheels that are lighter and stronger. They cost more than cast wheels, as you probably guessed, but this efficient production process makes them generally cheaper than forged ones.

 

Table image comparing the cost, durability load capacity, weight and maintenance of cast forged and flow formed wheel constructions

Pressed

Pressed steel wheels combine two pieces of sheet metal, which are—you guessed it—pressed together and welded. Additional holes are then cut out for basic design or brake heat displacement purposes. That unsightly raw metal usually gets topped off with covers or hubcaps to give the wheels a more polished look. This process is specific to steel wheels and produces tough, heavy products that are more functional than formal.

Multi-Piece

For manufacturing purposes, you'll also find two-piece wheels that combine a face piece and a barrel piece. Some even have three-piece construction that separates the barrel into two distinct components. Generally speaking, a wheel produced as a single solid piece should be stronger and lighter than a wheel forged of multiple pieces. 

Finish Options

So you've got your wheel material and construction method figured out, but now one thing remains: the finish. Looking for a set of bright, flashy rims that'll turn heads, or are you into a more modest, toned-down look for your wheels? Here's how your finish options compare.

  • Anodized aluminum: The process of layering aluminum oxide over the surface of a wheel offers strength and weather resistance with some customization options for color.
  • Polished aluminum: For those who like an old-fashioned shine, a polished finish gives an elegantly glossy look that can easily be redone as needed.
  • Chrome-plated: If you like your rims so shiny you can check your reflection in them, this rust-resistant and easy-to-clean option is for you.
  • Clear-coated: For a glossed finish that's more for protection than looks, consider clear coating. Sometimes this is paired with paint or as a layer over a shiny machined finish.
  • Painted: If you want something a little more dynamic than a standard metal hue, you can have your wheel painted to just about any color imaginable.
  • Powder-coated: This heat-cured painting method is as attractive as it is durable. Powder-coated finishes hold up well to daily wear, but you won't easily be able to freshen it up with another coat or color change later.

Types of Rims

Our last distinction for wheels is the rim, which you probably won't have much of a choice in. These are typically the same composition as the rest of the wheel, but they break down into three forms that keep the tire in place in different ways. Here are the main types of rims for trucks:

  • Safety: Most wheels feature safety rims, which hold the tire bead in place with interior ridges. Of the three main types, these are generally the only ones you'll see on passenger vehicles on the road.
  • Beadlock:Quality off-roading wheels sometimes feature beadlock rims, which use bolts to physically affix the tire bead to the wheel, allowing drivers to safely maintain lower tire pressure on rough terrain.
  • Split: With separate split pieces that keep the tire bead in place with rings, split rims are mostly found on workhorse vehicles on jobsites, ranches, or farms.

Wheels vs. Rims vs. Tires

The differences between wheels, rims, and tires may seem obvious to some drivers, but others often use tires and rims interchangeably with wheels. An easy way to picture the difference is that rubber tires affix to wheels between the rims. 

Though people often think of the spokes as rims, the term refers to the lip that extends out at the edge of the wheel, holding the tire in place. Here's what we mean.

Diagram of a truck pointing to the spoke, rim, tire and wheel to differentiate these components

A Note on Replica/OEM-Style Wheels

If you're shopping around automotive aftermarket products, you've probably encountered replica or OEM-style wheels. These wheels are designed by third parties to look like those produced by original equipment manufacturers like Chevy, Dodge, or Ford. Like any other wheel, their quality varies by production method and even manufacturer, so be sure to do your due diligence to choose well-built wheels from reputable companies like those found on AmericanTrucks.com. 

Choosing the Right Type of Wheel

Not sure you're ready to make your pick? We left you a lot to chew on, and we haven't even gotten into wheel offset options

First, consider your needs. Will you be off-roading, driving in harsh weather, or hauling major payloads? Are you more interested in looks, performance, or a blend of both?

Set your basic needs first to narrow down the choices. Then, consider the price points of the three main types of wheels, which will probably mean deciding between alloy and steel for most drivers. Much of the rest comes down to taste and style.

FAQs

What Are Wheels Made Of?

Wheels are generally made of either steel or an alloy containing aluminum mixed with another metal like magnesium. Performance vehicles may also have carbon fiber wheels, which can be very expensive and aren't as commonly found on passenger vehicles.

What Are the Different Types of Wheels?

Most wheels are either steel or aluminum, but some are carbon fiber. Wheels can be cast, forged, flow formed, or pressed, and can generally range from one to three pieces in construction.

Which Wheel Type Is the Best?

Carbon fiber wheels are the best in terms of pure performance and efficiency, but they're also much more expensive and have fewer available options for most drivers. Alloy wheels are light and come in many different designs, but are a bit more expensive than steel wheels, which are heavy but very durable.

More Truck Wheel and Tire Guides

Word on the Trail

American Trucks offers so much assistance and information, that it's like being best friends with a mechanic that loves to tinker with his toys. I will go out of my way to buy from American Trucks because of their customer service.

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