Wheel adapters, to use or not to use?

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Wheel adapters, to use or not to use?

Postby dh » Tue Nov 17, 2009 7:34 pm

Ok, I'm just starting to scrounge parts. I found a really nice set of A.R.E. wheels at a junk yard, they even had some decent rubber on them, and they only wanted $40 for both of them. I can make the offset work, but an extra inch or so would be nice to keep from having to get a custom length axle, or having to sacrafice width. Oh, one last thing, they have a 5x5.5 bolt pattern, I haven't seen a stock hub with this pattern.

I can get a set of wheel adapters for just shy of $100, they will give that extra inch I wanted. I will still come out cheaper than buying a new set 15" trailer tires/wheels.

What would you guys do? I've heard not to put adapters on trailers, but they also say that is because they reduce the load capacity. Any advice?
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Postby del » Fri Nov 20, 2009 10:06 am

If the wheels have a different offset and the adapters move the center of the tyre to the center of the hub, I am not seeing a problem. Trailer wheels tend to have zero offset, ie half the weight is outside of the hub, and half the weight inside. Most of us build light, so we have some wiggle room, if you are building with reinforced concrete disregard everything I said. :lol:

good luck del
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