Are Longer Wheel Studs Required When Switching from Steel to Aluminum Trailer Wheels

Updated 09/14/2020 | Published 07/27/2016

Products Featured in This Question

Americana Trailer Wheel Lug Nut - Stainless Steel - 1/2"-20 - Qty 1

(55)

$9.20

Question:

I am replacing white steel wheels with these aluminum LHSJ211G wheels and need to know recommended wheel stud length. They will be mounted on a Keystone Springdale 189 with Dexter 3000 lb axles not 3500lb axles with the 10 1/2 inch drum brakes. Axle part number 132023609. I am pretty sure the current studs are too short, so would like to order the wheel studs at the same time so I can install the wheels when I get them and mount new Carlisle Radial Trail HD load range D tires on them. Also, will need lug nuts, too so am also looking for recommendations on those, too. Thanks for your help.

asked by: Ken S

Expert Reply:

It is not usually necessary to change wheel studs when switching from stamped steel trailer wheels to machined aluminum wheels like the Lionshead # LHSJ211G but I went to our warehouse to measure the thickness of the material at this wheel's hub, in the center where the hub's 1/2-20 studs will pass through.

The total thickness of the wheel material at this center point is 1/2-inch but since the stud holes are tapered to accept a 60-degree coned lug nut like # AM26NR the actual thickness of the wheel's center is 1/4-inch. In other words, there will be only 1/4-inch of material between the lug nut's tapered leading surface and the hub face the rear surface of the wheel rests against. This is only a slightly thicker dimension than that of a stamped steel trailer wheel so you should not have an issue with stud length, but you will probably be better off using longer lug nuts like the ones referenced above.

Lug nut torque recommendations vary based on wheel material and size, and on stud diameter. For a 14-inch aluminum wheel mounted on 1/2-inch studs the ideal torque range is 85- to 95-ft-lbs. Note these require a 3/4"-inch wrench or socket.

For reference I have linked our pages for 1/2-inch wheels studs, both drive-in and screw-in types, in case you do decide to change out your studs.

expert reply by: Adam R

Matthew B.

9/6/2020

How about when the trailer has disc brakes and the stud does not extend out past the nut when fully seated. How many threads should be exposed to be considered safe.

Matthew B.

9/8/2020

@JonG , for now all I have are the OEM nuts that came with the steelies. They fit fine on the non brake axle but do not even come flush on the brake axle, grabs about half the threads. The assembly rides outboard on the braked basically the width of the rotor.

Matthew B.

9/10/2020

@JonG to follow up, the rotor adds .250 (1/4"), the nut is .630, the rim is .650, this adds up to about 1.5" and you have about 1.3 - 1.4 useable on a 2" stud. How interchangeable are the splines? Kodiak / Redline? I would like to get 2.5" on a 1/2-20, need 10.

Jon G.

9/14/2020

@MatthewB As long as the diameter is the same you shouldn't have a problem going with a stud that is a little longer. For what you mentioned we have the Redline # RG03-080 which are the exact dimensions that you stated.