Rim and Tire Recommendation for Use with 84550BX Hubs

Updated 07/28/2014 | Published 07/25/2014

Products Featured in This Question

Loadstar ST175/80D13 Bias Trailer Tire with 13" White Wheel - 5 on 4-1/2 - Load Range D

(2749)

$140.99

Karrier ST205/75R15 Radial Trailer Tire with 15" White Wheel - 5 on 5 - Load Range C

(1564)

$192.99

Question:

I installed the Hubs mentioned above today, and would like to run 235R15.tires on 1/2 Ton, 5 on 5 Chevy rims from my 1992-95 trucks. The hub and bearings fit the axle perfectly. The studs om the hubs are just a bit smaller than those on the rims, but should center with the lug nuts installed. The pilot diameter on the hub spindle is about 1/2 smaller in diameter than the center hole in the rim. I am planning to load this trailer to full weight capacity, and I wondered if this is safe to do without buying or fabricating a bushing to fill the gap between spindle and hub. Do you sell such a bushing? I could also buy a pair of 15inch 5 on 5 rims to fit the 2.58inch pilot on the hubs, but did not see any on your site. If neither upgrade is available, do you feel that I am tempting fate to run the rims on the hubs as they are currently? I also need a 2-3inch lift kit to for a 2 3/8inch axle mounted under 1 3/4inch 4 leaf springs. I am looking for a block, plate, longer u-bolts and such so that the 235 tires will not rub the fenders when the trailer is loaded down. You guys are the experts, and thank you in advance for your recommendations. I am happy with the parts I received yesterday and would like to keep doing biz with you.

asked by: Brian K

Expert Reply:

For starters it's not recommended to use vehicle rims on a trailer hub. Truck rims are not rated for the vertical loads that trailers see so I would strongly recommend you go with a trailer tire. That being said, the Hub Assembly part # 84550BX that you referenced centers on the lugs so pilot diameter isn't important. This is a lug-centric setup. If the hub used wheel bolts instead of lugs the setup would be considered hub-centric and the pilot diameter would be important.

It's also important that you run ST (specialty trailer) rated tires and not passenger vehicle tires as once again they aren't rated for trailer use. The wheel and tire I would recommend to fit your hub would be the Karrier ST205-75R15 # AM32409. These tires should be smaller in diameter than what you currently have as they are right at 27 inches which should give you enough clearance not to need a lift on your trailer.

expert reply by: Jameson C