wheel adapters and bearings

[Ivar the Red]

I was wondering, when you use an adapter to put a bigger wheel/tire combo on the trailer, how bad does it affect the bearings? I haven't looked to see if it is even possible yet, but I'd like to trade the 13" boat tires for some 16"s to match my TV. This plan (like all others) is not carved in stone, I just was curious about how far you could take this.

[Gerdo]

Wheel adapters or spacers will offset the center of the wheel/tire combo from the center of the bearings. This can cause stress on the bearings. If you do use adapters or spacers you must the bearings more often for lube and signs of wear. Adapters are forst bolted to the hub than the new wheel id bolted to the adapter. Be sure that you use a thread lock on the inside nuts and check for tightness periodocialy. With the weight of a TD there shouldn't be a problem with the bearings. The other thing is that the inside edge of the new tire will probably still be inside of the inside bearings. There will be additional pressure on the outside bearing but not as much as if the inside of the tire was outside of the inside bearing.

I've seen guys with Dually pickups that have pulled one, on each side, of the rear tires to save the tires and fuel. This is an extreme example. They are going to have bearing failure.

[Gerdo]

This is an extreme but watch the whole video.

[brian_bp]

Johnny's talking about diameter, and didn't mention width. If the width is maintained - or at least the location of the centre isn't shifted inboard or outboard - then loads on the bearings don't change... while towing in a straight line.

Turn a corner, and a larger diameter (overall, not just the wheel) tire setup means more bending stress on the bearings. Is that a big deal, in the case of a light trailer? I don't know.

The bearings are also turning more slowly with the larger tire.

[Ivar the Red]

Thanks for the quick responce guys. So basicly I really shouldn't have much too worry about, other that tire and fender clearances?

[Ivar the Red]

This is an extreme but watch the whole video.

I'll have to wait till I get home, this is on the censor list at work for some reason.

[Gerdo]

Johnny's talking about diameter, and didn't mention width.

The adapters that I have seen are usualy made out of an aluminium ring that bolts on and has studs in the new bolt pattern. They are usualy 1.25"-1.5" thich to clear the original studs. Moving the wheel outboard.

I just saw a show on the speed channel. It was "Two Roads to Taupo" One team was using a spacer on their race truck. They did have them come loose, actualy it sounded like no one properly tightened them. They are racing on them!

[Ivar the Red]

Thanks again, guys. Any more thoughts? Anyone?

[brian_bp]

Johnny's talking about diameter, and didn't mention width.

The adapters that I have seen are usualy made out of an aluminium ring that bolts on and has studs in the new bolt pattern. They are usualy 1.25"-1.5" thich to clear the original studs. Moving the wheel outboard.

Yes, that's a good point, and I was focusing on the diameter and forgetting that the way to get there was to be an adapter. Good catch, Gerdo.

On the other hand, if a car or truck wheel is used, it probably has more offset anyway, and after allowing for the adapter could be anywhere... more or less offset than the original trailer wheel (likely near zero offset) directly on the hub. Sometimes, two "wrongs" effectively make a "right".


A wheel of the same offset, plus an adapter, is definitely moving the wheel centre out and causing the issues which Gerdo described.

[dwgriff1]

If you are loaded up near the limit of the bearings consider all of these things, but if you are running a fairly lightweight tear, just check things often.

I use adapters because I wanted to match the wheel size to the tow rig. No problems in the first 6000 miles, but my rig is pretty light.

dave

[Gerdo]

On the other hand, if a car or truck wheel is used, it probably has more offset anyway, and after allowing for the adapter could be anywhere... more or less offset than the original trailer wheel (likely near zero offset) directly on the hub. Sometimes, two "wrongs" effectively make a "right".


A wheel of the same offset, plus an adapter, is definitely moving the wheel centre out and causing the issues which Gerdo described.

The front wheels on a dually pickup have a spacer to be able to use the same wheel as the back and to put the center of the wheel over the center of the bearings.

IF you use a spacer or adapter that bolts on, check the inside lug nuts often.