Used alloy rims worth the risk?

I've heard in the past that alloy rims are much more prone to damage than steel rims.

I'm now shopping for a set of rims for next winter (I like to plan ahead ) and I wonder if I'm asking for trouble getting used ones to save 2-3 hundred bucks on the set.

Would you consider buying used rims? Is there anything obvious to look out for?

 

Look for hard hits, bends, bad scrapes and curb rash, worn/elongated lug holes. I have purchased used wheels before but rare. Wheels/tires are all that connect you to the road so I prefer new for the safety, warranty and usually better looks and condition. But you can find some deals on good condition used. Tundras need hub centric wheels so make sure that is what you are buying. No problem if buying used stock wheels, but if aftermarket, make sure they are hub centric or you will have issues.

 

Very few aftermarket wheels are truly hub centric

 

You can pick up a set of take off tundra alloys that are in relatively good shape. Many of the guys replace their oem wheels with aftermarket and sell the oems. Or you can do what I did and get new aftermarket rims and use the oem rims for the set of snows.

 

I'm getting a new Sequoia with p275/55r20 all season tires and I was thinking it would make sense to have p275/65r18 for winter. So I couldn't switch the tires from one set of rims to the other.

There are more Tundras than Sequoias on the road, so used I'd only find Tundra wheels. The fit should be indentical?

Are hub-centric wheels a big pain in the ass to remove? I think my wife's Ford Flex has them. I am not a fan Every fall when I take them off I spend a half an hour wire-brushing them with an air die grinder to make sure I don't need extreme force to remove them the following year. Do you have any tricks for preventing that?

 

Tundra wheels should fit the Sequoia. Both are 5x150 and I think they share the same hub diameter. You should be able to find a good set of Tundra 18" take offs to use for your winter set. When I change over my wheels, I wipe down the mating surface with a rag and I put a little never-seize on them before installing. The never-seize makes removal much easier and prevents rust from taking over. Been doing this for 10+ years and never had any issues. Just don't get the never-seize on the lugs or braking surface.

 

I’ve had good luck buying used OEM take off’s. But with the advent of winter rated AT and Hybrid treads for trucks, I run one set year round that are snow rated. Which currently are the snow peak rated Wildpeaks. They do great off road, on the highway in in rain/snow.

 

Yes, I run the same Wildpeaks but I still run a dedicated winter set. My wife uses the Tundra as a DD and the price/hassle of having 2 sets is worth the added security of a dedicated winter. OP is in Ontario so his/her weather is similar to mine in Syracuse. Winters for us here can start in early November and last until beginning May. If you don't get as much snow/ice or your winters aren't as long, then I highly recommend using a snow rated AT tire like the Wildpeaks.