How strong are alloy wheels compared to steel wheels?

[robroy]

Good evening!

Years ago I heard somewhere that the factory steel wheels are very strong, and that alloy wheels are a lot softer.

Hearing this, I figured that alloy wheels wouldn't be a good choice for trucks, assuming that truck wheels need to take lots of abuse from stiff suspension, driving off road, and accidentally hitting curbs while parking (since they're big).

Then I noticed that tons of 3/4 ton and 1 ton trucks seem to have alloy wheels installed.

I understand the performance benefits of lightweight wheels, but are alloy wheels really tough enough for Bumpside F250s and F350s?

Thanks!!!
Robroy

[rjewkes]

The alloys on my f100 take the curbs ok at 5mph or slower. but then even stock steelies will croak when thrown at a curb above 10 mph.

[FreakysFords]

Modern alloys aren't nearly as soft as what were once on the road. I've had the "baby me" alloy rims of yesteryear and yes, they sucked.
Take my Volvos, the early 1800s alloys were so freakin soft that some good handling mods made them useless. They'd actually warp from cornering too hard! Yes, really!

Now take my newer ones, other than factory pegs (rwd Volvo's sore thumb wheels) and the problem doesn't exist. Thankfully, Volvo came back out with the same design that the 1800 had back when. They're 16" (9 series cars), but no one notices that they are not correct for the 1800.

Sorry for the weird reference there, but shows a lil history.

[robroy]

So modern alloy wheels are nearly as tough as the classic steel wheels?

Robroy

[robroy]

Hey FreakysFords thanks for the reply. That's interesting!