I ran Dayton wheels for about 30 years. They are actually lighter. We haul bulk commodities and that was a plus. Also, they are much easier to change on the side of the road. A lug wrench and a 30" bar will turn the 1 1/4 wrench size nuts on the 3/4" stud where the outer nut on a Budd is often impossible to turn on the side of the road. Also the inner nut has a habit of coming loose and causing the wheel to crack between the bolt holes. When an inner stud breaks, you have to pull the hub to replace it. Daytons are much more forgiving when run over curbs, etc. and that is why they are still used on garbage trucks. A tire mounted on a Budd wheel is much heavier than a tire mounted on an open center wheel which makes it easier to handle. Mounting is actually simple. I can teach someone in less than 5 minutes if they are willing to listen. We phased out open center wheels in favor of hub piloted wheels beginning about 15 years ago. We use all aluminum wheels which makes them about the same weight as an open center wheel. The main reason for the switch was that Daytons use an inboard brake drum. Outboard drums became popular around 1990 and are standard now on Budd and hub piloted. I changed many a truck from Budd to Dayton. I would still do it on an old truck provided I could find Dayton hubs and drums reasonable. The hub and drum will have to be changed. Dayton wheels would be much easier to change and handle for a do it your selfer.
Last edited by crenwelge; 11/08/2008 7:20 PM.
