What Does a 0.5 Inch Positive Offset Mean for a Trailer Wheel

Updated 05/30/2014 | Published 05/28/2014

Products Featured in This Question

Dexstar Conventional Steel Wheel with Offset - 13" x 4-1/2" Rim - 5 on 4-1/2 - Black

(600)

$86.81

Steel Spoke Trailer Wheel - 13" x 4-1/2" Rim - 5 on 4-1/2 - Galvanized Finish

(722)

$54.03

Question:

The wheel that you have chosen, # AM20214, also has a positive offset of 0.5 inches mounting surface of the wheel sits outside the rim centerline. For a marine application, I would go with a galvanized wheel, # AM20234. I need to ask does the offset move tire away from trailer or toward trailer? I have minimum clearance toward the trailer for tire side wall clearance. I want to go from 165R13 to 185R13 as the 185R13 is wider but do not know how much wider. Need a little direction here no pun intended.

asked by: Todd P

Expert Reply:

Wheel # AM20214 has a positive offset meaning that the mounting surface is further way from the trailer. This makes the tire closer to the trailer by 1/2 inch.

A 165-13 is not a common trailer tire size but it would be 6-1/2 inches wide. A 185/80-13 is a common trailer tire size and it would be 7.28 inches wide, a difference of over 3/4 of an inch. If you also go a wheel with a positive offset that would move the tire over 1-1/4 inches closer to the trailer.

I reocmmend going with a wheel that has a zero offset such as galvanized wheel # AM20234 for a marine application.

expert reply by: Michael H