Selecting Replacement Wheels and Tires for 1980s Trailer

Question

Question:

Trying to find new tires and wheels for 1980 trailer Please let me know if I can go with a 15 in Thanks

asked by: Barbara B

0

Expert Reply:

Thank you for the photo of your trailer wheel and tire in size 7-14.5LT.

For choosing the wheels you'll want to first confirm the hub bolt pattern; your photo shows what appears to be a wheel with 10 stud holes that is mounted on a 5-stud hub. You can refer to the linked article on wheel bolt patterns for help confirming which pattern you need. I also linked two helpful articles on tires.

You can refer to the article on tire sizing to see the overall diameters of the various 15-inch tires we have. You can use larger wheels and tires as long as you have enough space for the larger tire. You want to have no less than 3/4-inch between the inner sidewall and the trailer frame, and at least 3-inches of space above the tread to allow for the travel of the trailer's suspension.

Since you expressed an interest in potentially moving to a 15-inch wheel/tire, and since the trailer is almost 40 years old, I recommend that you swap your hubs at the same time that you choose your new wheels and tires. A new hub will fit on your existing spindles as long as it uses the same bearings as the original hub. If you pull a hub and remove the bearings you should be able to find the part numbers on the bearings. The linked photo shows how these part numbers usually appear. You'll also want to be sure you choose hubs that have the necessary weight rating to match your axle. For example, a 7000-lb-rated axle needs hubs that are each rated for 3500-lbs. Feel free to tell be your bearing numbers and your axle weight rating (usually found on a tag or sticker on the axle itself) and I will be glad to suggest hubs and compatible wheels and tires.

Often customers who wish to update an older trailer prefer to use a complete axle/hub kit. Using a kit like the 3500-lb axle kit # e43SR gives you the peace of mind of knowing that all the internal parts are new, safe and in good order.

Please feel free to tell me more about your setup and I'll be happy to assist further with selecting the parts you need.

expert reply by: Adam R

0

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Answer 1

If the axle tag on the trailer does not include the axle capacity then you'll have to pull the hubs and either measure the bearings and seals or record their part numbers. The most common bearing combo is a L68149 (1.378" inner diameter) and…

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Answer 2

In order to determine the torque rating for the lug nuts on your trailer you will need to know check out the chart I attached that shows all of the torque specs for all the trailer lugs available based on stud size, wheel material and wheel size.

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Answer 3

The difference between the Class II and Class III hitches has to do with their Gross Trailer Weight (GTW), their Tongue Weight (TW), and their Hitch Receiver Size. Class II trailer hitch receivers have a 1-1/4 inch receiver and can be rated up to…

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Answer 4

Even though I cannot comment specifically on the grease you used because I am not familiar with it, I can tell you the best grease for trailer bearings is a a grease with a rating of GC-LB, which just means it is made to withstand very high…

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Answer 5

The #84 spindle is just a common way to identify the spindle dimensions typically used for 3,500 lb axles. So instead of listing out the parts, people can just say they have #84 spindles and it's easier to know what fits it. The CE Smith Trailer…

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Answer 6

According to Blue Ox, it'll take an experienced installer about 4 to 5 hours to complete the installation of their #BX1128 Base Plate Kit on a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The install isn't what I'd call super-difficult, but the installation…

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Answer 7

It sounds like you are speaking of the wires for the brake magnets. If this is correct, you will need to connect one of the wires to the brake controller output wire on your trailer connector and the other wire will need to be grounded to a clean…

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Answer 8

Hi Paul, you’re definitely on the right track here, and I can help you narrow this down with confidence. With your tandem 3,500 lb Dexter axles and 33 inch spacing, both the Dexter EZ Flex part #K71-652-00 and the Lippert Road Armor part #LC53CK are…

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Answer 9

A 4-Way trailer connector has the basic lighting functions only; running lights, left turn signal and brake lights, right turn signal and brake lights, and ground. A 7-Way has these functions and a 12 volt circuit, a circuit for electric trailer…

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Answer 10

The 5.30-12 tires, being wider, are going to make more contact with the road. This means that the noise, and heat build up will be higher than a 4.80-12 tire but the rolling resistance will actually be less because the tire is larger diameter. The…

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Answer 11

The difference between an load range C and load range D tire in the same size is the capacity and psi rating. The two tires will still have the same dimensions and fit on the same wheel. The D rated tire has a higher capacity. For a ST175/80D13 like…

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Answer 12

The two sizes you mentioned are pretty similar and fit many of the same 15 inch wheels. The 205/75-15 fits rim widths of 5 inch to 6 inch whereas the 225/75-15 fits widths that are 5 inch to 6-1/2 inch. The 205 is 27.1 inches tall and the 225 is 28.4…

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Selecting Replacement Wheels and Tires for 1980s Trailer

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