Recommended 16" Wheels with 6 on 5-1/2 Bolt Pattern for Load Range G Tires

Updated 11/12/2020 | Published 11/09/2020

Products Featured in This Question

Provider HD ST235/80R16 Radial Trailer Tire - Load Range G

(252)

$290.24

Question:

Hi, I have a 5th wheel toy hauler with 16 wheels with 6 on 5.5 bolt pattern. I previously had 235/80R16 load raange E tires. I switched to load range G. Now, the wheel is separating - the inside of the wheel is separating from the outside! Is there a 6 on 5.5 wheel that will work with Load Range G tires? Or do I need to go 8 lug, which means new axles? Ugh. Thanks!

asked by: David S

Helpful Expert Reply:

If you were to go with 16" wheels with a 6 on 5-1/2" bolt pattern, the highest capacity wheel we have available would be something like the Aluminum HWT Series S5 Trailer Wheel - 16" x 6-1/2" Rim - 6 on 5-1/2 - Black
Item # AM22658HWTB; this wheel has a 3580-lbs capacity, so it's not going to fully maximize the roughly 4000-lbs capacity of a Load Range G wheel like the Provider ST235/80R16 Radial Trailer Tire - Load Range G # PRG80235.

However, going up to a wheel with an 8 on 6-1/2" bolt pattern would have a higher capacity; a good example is the Aluminum Viking Series Valhalla Trailer Wheel - 16" x 6-1/2" - 8 on 6-1/2 - Silver Spoke # AX02665865HDBMMFL, which has a 4450-lbs capacity. The good news, is that depending on what size your axles are, you may only need to swap the hubs out. It might be worth pulling your hubs off, since the wheel is damaged anyways, and checking to see what bearings you've got in your hubs. If there is an 8 on 6-1/2" hub that uses similar bearings, you could just swap the hubs and wheels and have the higher capacity you're looking for. It's not going to upgrade the overall capacity of the trailer frame and axles, but it will give you that added peace of mind that you're seeking to ensure that this catastrophic failure of your wheels won't likely happen again in the future.

If you can let me know what you find when you pull the hubs, I'm happy to see if there is something we can make work!

expert reply by: Erik B