“What the hell?!” I thought as I walked past Galpin Auto Sports, the best automotive modification facility in southern California (and part of The Autopian’s sister-company, Galpin). I stopped in my tracks and approached the new Cadillac CT6 sitting in the parking lot; its wheels had been replaced by pizza-thin ones made of plastic. “This can’t be one of those airless tweels meant to replace tires; it’s way too skinny. What’s the deal?” I walked into GAS to see if I could get to the bottom of it.
My initial thought was that these were temporary wheels used to store and move cars, and indeed, that’s exactly right.
A member of the GAS team pointed me to a Range Rover sitting in the shop. “You see this? This thing is on jack stands taking up precious room in our shop. Those wheels out there on that Cadillac help prevent this; they are just there to let us roll the car around easily.”
Apparently the Cadillac is having something done to its factory wheels; since this isn’t an uncommon job at GAS, there are often vehicles around the shop that have nothing filling their wheel-wells, stuck in place like beached whales. So that’s what these plastic wheels are for:
These particular ones are called JW-X22s, built by Italian company Jackwheels, who calls these things “universal wheel stands.” Note that they are not simply called wheels, because they’re in no way meant to be used on public streets (you’ll see the “not for road use” warning written directly on the wheel stand above). The wheel stands are “universal” because they feature slotted holes in their metal center hubs, allowing the Jackwheels to fit vehicles with various bolt patterns:
Here’s Jackwheel’s description of this peculiar looking device:
Jackwheels JW-X22 is a rim made of structural technopolymers, very light, equipped with a steel central hub, with a ring nut adaptable to practically eighty percent of the attachments and hubs of the cars in circulation and with an external anti-skid part as well, which therefore allows easy mounting on any car and obviously the possibility to move the car itself.
A practical solution that, thanks to the central hub with a series of slotted holes, to the special adaptation kit and to the instructions included in every single package of Jackwheels X22, it is possible to mount it easily and without any special equipment, on any type of car.
A great advantage for mechanics, body shops and any operator in the automotive industry.
Moreover, it is a device that is certainly valid and extremely advantageous also for the same manufacturers in the automotive sector, who often need to move cars on the line, when the wheels are still missing.
Or, even better, for the tire manufacturers who, not by chance, are thinking of offering it to the whole network of their sales and assistance points.
Here you can see how Jackwheels markets these things for tire shops, tow truck companies, and body shops:
Though the videos do show the vehicles being driven under their own power, GAS’s rep said it’s best to just roll these cars on these wheels, as these things are not meant to handle much skinny pedal. Jackwheels recommends a top speed of 5 mph, with a maximum load of about 2,200 pounds per wheel, each of which weighs only 19.4 pounds:
Check out that tread width: 60mm! To put that into context, my BMW i3’s absurdly skinny front tires are 155s, meaning they’re over 2.5 times wider than the Jackwheels!:
To give you an idea how skinny these are, here’s a look at the tread width relative to my hand:
Needless to say, these “universal wheel stands” look ridiculous when mounted to pretty much any car, though I quite like how, because of their lack of backspacing (i.e. lack of positive offset), they provide lots of access to the brakes and suspension parts normally tucked into the “dish” of a wheel
Jackwheels isn’t the only manufacturer who makes such devices, though their plastic design seems to be unique (note that I regularly use plastic ramps with seemingly-similar construction). Guniwheel is one of the big-dogs in this space, offering steel “shop wheels” (the design is also referred to as a “universal vehicle mounting system”) like this one:
“NO WHEELS? NO PROBLEM! SAFELY MOUNT & MOVE VEHICLES WITH OUR UNIVERSAL LUG PATTERN SHOP WHEELS,” writes Guniwheels on its website. Here you can see some of the features, including a speed-reducing hump on the 89mm wide tread (that’s significantly wider than Jackwheels’ 60mm wide tread):
Here’s a clip from Guniwheel’s website showing this ridiculous-looking “wheel” in action:
Anyway, I just saw that Cadillac outside of Galpin Auto Sports on my way home from work, and figured I’d share it all with you, dear readers. They’re basically lightweight, easy-to-stack/store methods of keeping cars somewhat mobile while their wheels are off for whatever reason. Hope you have a wonderful Sunday.
Images: Jackwheels, Guniwheel
Worked in a body shop and we had a set made up out of space saver spare tires for when the factory wheels were damaged
That is awesome!
I was completely aware of the measurements of the i3 wheels and knew they were skinny.
but it wasn’t until the photo here that it was truly impactful on how wildly skinny they are.
Are they that “skinny” or is it the ratio or diameter to width? I mean a lot of subcompacts have 165 width tires, but the BMW’s are 20″ wheels where subcompacts are generally 14 or 15″
valid point. but still seeing those wagon wheel looking things is jarring lol
Oh no doubt!!
Reminds me of the time in the 1980’s I drove ever-so-gingerly down the highway on a skinny spare to get in line for Springsteen tickets.
Great idea.It surprises me not one bit these are a thing.The odd part is why havent we seen or heard of them years ago
The tow company that dragged my Chevy Volt into the flat bed when the wheels got stolen and then the same when they dropped it at the dealership, should used these but instead, they created more damage that the insurance totaled the car! now its just sitting at copart waiting to be auctioned. I may buy it back, we will see lol
Why get a tow truck when all you needed was a new set of wheels/tires/lugnuts? And then from there, just rent a car to pick up the stuff, bring it to where the car is, install and Bob is your uncle…
I got a set of wheels and tires the next day or so. The car was sitting in Detroit, I wasnt going to leave it there lol but I am just waiting for the car to be available at Copart, its been a month or so sitting there, hopefully the battery is not bad. If I win the auction, I will show up with a set of wheels and tires, lug nuts and my spare keys. Cant wait to see their face haha
Can’t use them on the road… but no one said you couldn’t use them on the track… time to race a bunch of shitboxes with these at the corners.
Time to get Chris Harris to drift a shitbox with these on like the AMG on spare tires.
Can’t wait to see an Altima with these flying down the road 25 above the speed limit
A whole new look for the stance crowd. Safety and driveability is not a consideration anyway, so why not? Shave the speed bumps off and you’re good to go.
Beat me too it!
The Russian youtube guy who makes wheels out of chains and corn and stuff should try a set of these
Garage 54?
When the wheels were stolen off of my IS350 recently, the tow company had a set of Guniwheels that they installed so we could drive it onto the rollback, rather than drag it. All great in theory, until I started driving it and heard the front wheels grinding the ever-loving shit out of the calipers. Turns out Lexus 2-pot monoblocks are too big for these things, and insurance had to eat the high side of $500 for new calipers and bleeding the system. Oops. So, mindful warning – YMMV on whether these things will destroy your brakes, but at least the Jackwheels ones are plastic.
Did they install the temporary wheels backwards?
I wish it was an error as silly as that! They installed them right, they just didn’t have enough offset to clear the calipers.
This just goes against all the rules of nature. Luxury cars, especially British ones, belong in the shop on a hoist as the universe intended. Sure you could be one of those bleeding hearts that wants to roll one slowly out to the the side of the road once in a while to give it some fresh air, but it’s just wrong and we all know it.
Am I the only one that would really like to see a race series where the only rule is that cars need to use these wheels? Or am I merely the first person to put it in writing?
I’ve always thought that a formula libra race class where the only rule was that the cars used 165/80R15 tires but with engines and aero completely open would be fun.
I cannot see it lasting long enough to be entertaining but on a related note, I’ve seen a video of someone take a car on a track with four donut spares so that was intriguing.
I once rode in a ’56 Beetle slammed to the ground and rolling on four space saver spares from Orlando to Tampa FL. My insane friend then hit a Botts Dot and nearly launched us into the trees.
I think that video might have been my introduction to Chris Harris.
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPh90yNX-mY he looks so young!)
Years ago I was driving on the interstate near Houston and saw a first gen Taurus on 4 donuts.
Came here with the exact same thought! Imagine a bunch of Mazda 2s, Sonics, and Yaris revving to high heaven, crawling sideways, and working to make it around a track.
Spec Toecutter, where you have to bring your own handmade velomobile.
Probably not. At the same time, you should see the videos of the Japanese putting PVC sleeves over their wheels so that they can go drifting.
Clever. I wonder if there’s a version with casters around the edges so you could spin a car around with one hand? I guess the challenge would be to stop the motion so your CT6 doesn’t replicate a runaway shopping cart or bumper car on steroids.
Also, I must say that I’m concerned with the reference to “stuck in place like beached whales.” As a matter of fact, I’m not stuck, I’m just resting.
Still more sidewall than stock tires and wheels. Probably rides the same.
Just for fun, I’d like to see a designer be forced to do a concept drawing using these things, instead of 38” wheels that are dished all the way back to the differential.
*looks at close-up pics*
I didn’t know Cadillac used a 4-lug pattern 😉
Ha! I did the very same thing. I’ve been weirdly interested in lug patterns since I found out there’s a whole rich world out there. The Carrera GT, with its reverse threaded center hub. My old Sentra, with its aftermarket-strangling 4 bolt pattern. The handsome subtlety of heavier duty trucks of yore using 6 and 8 lug patterns, under largely similar bodies.
If you look close enough on a regular basis its amazing how many times you’ll see cars with a missing lug nut.
I saw a car with one missing from each of the 4 wheels. Pointed out to my dad (mechanic) and he laughed and said that’s what happens when you go to a tire shop and they can’t find the socket for the theft deterrent lugs. They just slam a socket on the lug and then have to press it out. Then just let the car ride with 4 lug nuts. Who knew they were optional?
NASCAR used to run car with 3 or 4 lug nuts to save pitstop time when cautions came out shortly before the end of the race. It took them a couple years to ban that.
“technopolymers” that’s some class A marketing garbage speak. I checked their site, and there is no further info. My somewhat educated guess is that it is glass fiber reinforced HDPE (high density polyethylene) where they add chopped glass fiber as it is injected into the mold. I’ve seen burn-off testing with the resulting intricate web of glass fiber being remarkably form following in other applications where stiffness is required.Could also be ABS or PP, but HDPE is cheaper.
Also see that 3/4 front view of the CT6 headlight, That’s the saint bernard eye stain look I mentioned yesterday that no one seemed to get.
In my time as an engineer that included both spec’ing/buying various structural parts and developing new loaded rotational parts, including gears and sheaves, the common material by a large margin was PA6GF — PA6 (nylon), glass-filled. Occasionally glass-filled acetyl.
Generally around 15-20% GF, though it could run as high as 30%. Glass varied both in the amount, and in form (from spherical to fibrous of varying dimensions) depending on the properties required, the mold design, and the cost that could be applied to the part.
More glass, and longer aspect ratio glass result in higher strength as well as higher density. They also result in higher material cost, more difficult filling of the mold, and higher wear rate of the mold, driving up tooling cost.
Good input! Suspect they are being more economical since utilizing a metal hub.
Enlarging Davids pictures looking for composition ID (didn’t find) noticed they are molded in 1/5ths, parting at slender spoke, and rim separate.
After seeing that, I have a lot more faith in the Guniwheel.
Damn, good eye.
In fairness, they aren’t even billed as wheels, so holding the car off the ground and keeping it rollable is good enough. It does make me want the destruction video that much worse though. You know it’s probably gonna give up there and send five slices of glass reinforced death pizza out onto the asphalt.
Yup, nylon (especially the high end grades) is an order of magnitude stronger than HDPE.
80’s synth hair band
FWIW, egg whites are also polymers.
And MacGyver Radiator Stop Leak.
Even with GF30, I’d expect HDPE to be a bit soft/weak for wheels that thin since they have to work on some pretty heavy SUVs. My guess would have been good old PA6/GF30. Easy enough to find out, though. Hey DT, time to pick up a soldering iron with temperature settings!
Suspect they have ID molded in on the back side. My guess is based on trying to market EPP car ramps (light weight, non- marring for tiled garages) twenty some years ago, and couldn’t beat HDPE ramps price point.
I don’t get it. You still have to store the big heavy wheels somewhere. And if the offset is wrong they stick out taking up more space. It does make rolling the car easier but that’s about it.
The point is: they’re like 1/4 as big and heavy as storing other wheels and tires, and unlike regular wheels, they fit every(ish) car.
What don’t you get?
You still have to store the real wheels somewhere.
This is not for a situation where you don’t put the real wheels on……. for kicks? This is if you’re actively working on the real wheels and so you can’t mount them. You’re not storing the real wheels, you’re working on them.
Ok now I get it. I assumed the cars were being worked on.
Didn’t you read the article? It’s for when the wheels are being worked on. It’s fairly common with modern aluminum and alloy wheels that need repair from potholes, curb rash, etc. Especially as wheels get bigger and tire sidewalls get smaller. Wheel repair shops also do wheel modifications, like if the owner wants their wheels to be all black or body colored, etc.
Clearly my reading comprehension is being adversely affected by my weekend binge drinking.
whoops! I see you already saw the explanation.
I’m curious about the “sister company” status you often attribute to Galpin, as if describing a merger of equals. How much of the Autopian is non-bankrolled by Galpin or BB?
My guess is they needed a sponsor because the subscription model wasn’t working. There’s a few websites I’ve followed for many years that went subscription then got a sponsor after that petered out. I don’t have a problem with it. Running a site like this is expensive. If we get content and they keep the lights on, it’s a win-win.
Needed a sponsor because subscription wasn’t working? Beau and Galpin sponsored the Autopian during startup and for like a year before they started doing subscriptions. The whole point of subscriptions was to not be totally dependent on free money from Galpin.
Don’t remember the full details, but I think of galpin as more of a founding partner. As in if galpin wasn’t helping to bankroll it at first, this site would never have started.
The usual, or at least evolving, model, is to use both advertising and subscription revenue to pay the bills for a digital first operation. Sponsorships if you can swing them are even better.
Free Autopian membership subscription with the purchase of any car at Galpin 😛
I have actually used these in my garage for a couple of years now for my RX-7 project car. I have been rebuilding my RX-7 for some time. I live in Colorado and only have a 2 car garage. The Garage shares space with a tent camper, my vintage bikes and when the weather gets unpredictable (which often happens) and hail comes etc. I can roll the RX-7 in or out no matter the status. I work for AAA so I knew about these for a while but its good to know that word is getting out
I think I’ve seen an Altima weaving on the highway with these. (It’s a joke, of course—it was actually on 3 donuts and that particular car has become emblematic of all Altimas for me.)
I like this. but I think they would need to have 2 JX-22’s,1 Guniwheel and a regular yellow doughnut from some old Audi TT on an Altima to get full BAE (Big Altima Energy)
These also seem really handy to have on hand to prevent wheel theft. Some of those OEM wheels are pricey. Lock the OEM wheels away while the vehicle is in for an extended period.
Somewhat, though wheels can still take up a lot of space (lots of empty space, as well, by design). GM also transports some new vehicles on thin wheels, and the intended wheels are installed when prepped for sale.
Now that I know they exist, I demand video of these things being hooned to hot exploded debris in a matter of seconds. Bonus if there’s slow-mo of the cr-cra-craaa-kuhPLUUGSSH as they give up somewhere between 2 and 20 times their recommended speed.
These combined with stacked wheel spacers seem tailor-made for yt jackassery videos.
not that I’m condoning or recommending anything of that sort
me neither, but i want to see it. Similar to Harris 4 spare tires on some AMG of some sort 🙂
Neat! If they are not too pricey, they would indeed be pretty handy in any garage.
Also, thanks again for all DT the weekend content. Much appreciated. Now go play with the kitties. 🙂
Seconding these sentiments, especially the one about the kitties >^..^<
The 4 and 5 lug universal Guniwheels are normally $800 for a set of four… Looks like jack stands it is for me
I can’t find the jackwheels for sale online, but I’d assume they’re close in price.