Determining if Larger 13 Inch Wheels Can Be Used on Small Camper

Published 03/07/2019

Question:

Im retired and looking doing some extensive traveling after I buy a small pop camper. I know I want to increase my tire size to 13inch after looking at the puny 12inch tires I see on most campers. Will most axles accept a new hub with ez lube ports? What is the most common wheel/ hub failure that you see? I just want to minimize any troubles for my wife and I. Thanks

asked by: Bill M

Helpful Expert Reply:

Whether or not you will be able to easily swap out hubs to accommodate larger wheels (or be able to use larger wheels with the same hubs) will really depend on the type of axle the trailer is equipped with. When replacing the hubs on a trailer it is important to make sure the bearing numbers match up to what the spindles on the axle will accept.

If you are looking at a particular trailer model I will be happy to try and research what type of axle and hubs it uses to see what might be needed to upgrade the wheel size.

The most important components of a hub in terms of dependability are the bearings, races, and seals. A bearing failure is typically the most common reason for damage to the hub and wheel. It is important that you inspect the bearings about every 12 months or 12,000 miles for damage and repack them with grease.

I have attached a few trailer articles, including one that details general maintenance schedules for various trailer components, that you might also find helpful.

expert reply by: Chris R