HF trailer & auto wheels

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HF trailer & auto wheels

Postby Finntec » Tue May 09, 2006 8:46 pm

I am just planning my second build. I have a 20% off coupon from HF. In today's HF newpaper ad they have the 90154 utility trailer with 4.80" X 12" ID tires for $229.99. It seems like I can not pass up this deal with the coupon.

But... can I put auto wheels & tires to match my truck on this axle?

If not can the hubs be changed?

Or should I get the trailer and another axle?

I would love to hear your suggestions.
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Postby dacrazyrn » Tue May 09, 2006 11:05 pm

I've got the 1800# trailer with the same tire size. Looking into (soon) taking it to the wheels and tires guys and see about 15" put on.
I would look for my own (internet), but the offset, and "axle hole" worry me and would hate to order the wrong ones.
It is a 5 lug on (I think) a 5.5 pattern. I am pretty sure the hubs can be changed, and I may look into that to go to the 6 lug (16's though) my truck has and be able to use the spare from that if needed.
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Postby Nitetimes » Tue May 09, 2006 11:07 pm

If you check the boneyards I am sure you can find a wheel to fit the hub on that trailer. There is a list of hub sizes and matching vehicles on this forum somewhere if you do a search or I'm sure someone will post it.
The only thing you'll need to watch is the wheel offset so you have enough clearance between the tire and your frame.
Rich


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Postby Finntec » Wed May 10, 2006 3:15 pm

I want to purchase the exact tires I have on the tow auto for the next TD. Would you recommend I get an axle/hub combo to fit the SUV tires and still get the HF trailer? Or is this going to become so expensive I should get everything custom made from the start? (With the coupon I'm saving about $100. )
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Postby dacrazyrn » Wed May 10, 2006 3:44 pm

You could always do THIS
I had to get a nail fixed today so I took in the HF 12" tire. They told me that with the measurements and the clearance I told them that a regular ol' 15 x 6" wheel (with a 205/75R15 tire) would work without a problem. Still think I may try to find something with a small offset though to make sure.
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Postby Finntec » Wed May 10, 2006 3:59 pm

The HaulMaster trailer info says the wheels are 4.80" X 12". A-Dapt-it said, "they dont make a tire like that." Measure it myself. "It should be 4.75 or 5.0. Since I did not buy the trailer yet, does anone know if they are correct?
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Postby dacrazyrn » Wed May 10, 2006 4:14 pm

My first reply has the size 5 lug on 5.5 pattern-I just measured and it is a 5 lug on 4.5 pattern.
Depending on which 6 lug you have, 4.5 or 5.5, then any with the 5 lug 4.5 pattern to whatever.
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Postby SteveH » Wed May 10, 2006 5:06 pm

Guys,

I've looked at the HF trailers and believe the ofset will be the problem. With those small and narrow 8 and 12" tire/wheel combos there is not much room between the wheel flange and the frame side. It is my opinion you will need to extend the axle out to get the larger wheels and tires to clear.
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Postby JunkMan » Wed May 10, 2006 6:55 pm

Most light trailer hubs only come in 2 options, a 4 lug (not sure of the size, 4" maybe?) or a 5 lug on a 4 1/2" pattern. Some heavy duty axels come in 6 and 8 lug patterns, but they would probably be too heavy for a tear. I have heard people mention that they got hubs with a different pattern, but have never seen anyone post a source. A local trailer shop told me that they could get any pattern I wanted, but when I questioned him on exactly what bolt patterns were availible (I wanted one to match my VW tow vehicle), he could not find anything but the standard hubs.

You will probably have to use adapters. You may be able to have the hubs machined to a different diameter, but most hubs have extra metal cast into the area where the studs are, so if they are machined for new studs, they probably won't be as strong.

You could possibly find some car hubs that would fit the axel, but unless you were able to spend a lot of time checking hubs from a junk yard, you probably won't find any other way to know what might fit.
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Postby goldcoop » Wed May 10, 2006 7:10 pm

Ray-

Did ya check with Len and/or Todd I believe they have a HF frame with a Northern Tools axle for sale?

See ya @ Parvin!:)

Cheers,

Coop
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Postby dacrazyrn » Wed May 10, 2006 7:29 pm

another good resource off of Rich's List
Here
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Postby Finntec » Wed May 10, 2006 9:58 pm

Goldcoop,
I will talk to Len this weekend at the tearjearker gathering in NJ. I am also looking into the new hubs with a different offset. So far I found them at $99 each. It may be cheaper/better to get another axle.

Tracy,
I checked out your pics. We plan to build the TD with a rounded front end like you did. It will be 4X10.

Thanks everyone. -Ray

FYI: I went and bought a spare and the paper on the tire read 4.80" X 12". Fits 4 1/2" . So it doesnt seem right to me but it fits.
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Harbor Freight Heavy Duty Trailer Sale

Postby Sailorman » Wed May 24, 2006 9:18 am

For anyone interested, Harbor Freight has a sale coming up with the 1800 Lb. capacity "Super Heavy Duty" trailer marked down to $299 from $399. Usually there is a 10% or 20% off coupon around too.

This trailer has the 4.5" x 5 bolt hubs which will take a standard wheel from most Jeeps, Chevys and some others.

I have also had Harbor Freight give me 20% off using an old coupon I found on the forum here even though it prints out without an expiration date. I took it to them and it wouldn't scan so they hand entered the 20% discount!
They are highly motivated to help you buy their products!!!!
Love it or leave it!
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