Just got a slightly used 2013 Express Sport with 20" chrome clad wheels. Just washed it for the first time and found that the wheels are plastic hubcaps??? What's up with that? What's under the hubcap? They look good for being plastic and probably would have never known if I didn't own one. A little disappointed though.

 

Ummmm, been that way since the truck came out in '09.
After you get tired of cleaning them you'll change out the pads to a dustless variety. I hardly have to clean mine now.

 

That's why I have the solid brush alium wheels on my 09

 

They are aluminum underneath. There are a couple threads on this forum that not only discuss it, but one has photos of what is underneath. A couple people here have torn off the chrome plastic and polished them.

 

they don't have the same pattern when you take off the plastic

 

Thanks. Guess I will live with them then. They still look good...just disappointed in the cheap plastic.

 

I was disappointed at first but still like 'em. Easy to maintain and easy to replace should I have an issue.

 

Almost all new cars chrome wheels are like this unless you buy upper end cars, which are usually your Mecedes, BMW type cars.

Hub caps are really the wrong word to describe them, they are a bonded cover and it actually started when they put 20s on the Ram back in 02 or 03.

I actually like these on a daily driver more than a polished alum. Easier to keep clean.

 

If you lived in an area where they pour the salt on the road, you would learn to appreciate them. My 2005 has them (20") and they still look like new. With aluminum they almost always clearcoat them. The salt corrodes the alum and the clear bubbles off.. looks like crap.
Where I live, they put more salt on the road (per lane mile) than anywhere else in the entire country... last winter, almost 90 tons/lane mile for the season.

 

Yes, they seem a little cheesy at first. But, like others have said, you'll grow to appreciate them. They'll hold up a lot better than if you had polished aluminum, especially if you're in a heavy salt area. Best thing is, when they get a little cloudy or dull, whip out some polish, and in 20 or 30 minutes they're looking like new by hand.