how to fit car wheels to trailer axle??

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how to fit car wheels to trailer axle??

Postby jonnyo » Thu Oct 03, 2013 11:33 pm

I have some wheels from my old car with 5X100 bolt patern (subaru wrx)

is there a way to use those on a trailer that i m building? what do i need to do? any advice?

trailer will be very light so i m not very concern about having car tire on a trailer....
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Re: how to fit car wheels to trailer axle??

Postby MtnDon » Thu Oct 03, 2013 11:43 pm

IMO, that will likely be nearly as costly as buying new wheels that will bolt right on the trailer hubs. There are adapters / spacers that can be made for pretty much any pattern to any pattern. They will also increase track a little. Not real cheap. $75 - 80 a pair. There are many available; Google wheel bolt pattern adapters

example only http://prowheeladapters.com/wheel-adapt ... pters.html
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Re: how to fit car wheels to trailer axle??

Postby Shadow Catcher » Fri Oct 04, 2013 5:47 am

Yes you can, is it a good idea open to debate as it changes the stress on bearings and axle.
I did buy one so I can use the spare tire from our Subaru on the trailer.

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Re: how to fit car wheels to trailer axle??

Postby Matt » Fri Oct 04, 2013 6:20 am

One thing to keep in mind is that auto rims usually have different offset or backspacing than trailer rims. You would need to take that into account before your build.
I didn't and when I went to fit the tires they hit the body if the tear. I ended up getting trailer rims with zero offset. HTH.

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Re: how to fit car wheels to trailer axle??

Postby Dale M. » Fri Oct 04, 2013 8:59 am

Another option may be to have hubs redrilled and studs moved or new studs presses in to fit new pattern IF hub has enough materials to do it safely.... Again as mentioned above, rear wheel offset can be a problem, but if you are designing from ground up you can compensate with a wider axle to take care of offset problem....

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Re: how to fit car wheels to trailer axle??

Postby jonnyo » Fri Oct 04, 2013 11:00 am

thank you everyone!

right now, i m thinking of a tandem axle. The only reason for the tandem on my little trailer build is the look. And having 4 rims and tire sitting at home, i would not mind using them.

the best i found is around 100$ for 4 adapter. i wonder if Dexter do custom drilling? that would be the simple way. As i have order the axle and at the design part, i can take into account the offset.

Or simply try to sell the car wheels and stick with trailer tires :thinking:
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Re: how to fit car wheels to trailer axle??

Postby KCStudly » Fri Oct 04, 2013 11:08 am

Don't forget to check the center hole diameter for clearance with the bearing hub.
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Re: how to fit car wheels to trailer axle??

Postby CARS » Sat Oct 26, 2013 11:40 am

I lost a wheel on a car with adapters on it. If I was to use them again I would drill the bolts/studs and tie them together with safety wire.
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Re: how to fit car wheels to trailer axle??

Postby George Taylor » Sat Oct 26, 2013 7:26 pm

lost a rim as well. What I forgot to do was re torque the lugs after a few miles. You will want to do the same.
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