Will this trailer and wheels work together?

[Retroguy]

I'm trying to get a starting point. I like this trailer and I like these wheels. I know both are 5 1/2 by 4 bolt pattern. I know I would have to remove the fenders. However how will I know the tire or new wheel won't hit the frame. Is there a spec for that?

[Dale M.]

Its all about offset and back space ... Generally trailer wheels have "0" (zero) offset meaning the bolting surface is centered in width of rim (wheel)... Back space is the distance from rear edge or RIM to bolting surface.... Usually a 3 inch back space means the wheels bolting surface is 3 inches for from edge of rim and then allowing at least 1 inch for tire bulge and some free space you need probable 5 tp 5-1/2 inch minim, space between hub bolting surface and trailer wall for clearance...





If you are close and need a little more clearance you may get a way with wheel spacers, but that is sort of a risky option...

And generally trailer wheels are designed differently for offset then passenger car wheel....

Dale

[Retroguy]

Thanks Dale,
So the wheel above seems to show specs at 0 offset and 3 inch backspace.
Do I just need to ask the place selling the trailer if the trailer will accommodate those specs?

[ssutton]

I just bought the same basic wheel and trim package. I custom built the trailer so I cannot help you as to the fit for that particular trailer but check with Summit Racing for wheel and trim packages. They were the best by FAR in price and free shipping too. I had my wheels powder coated locally to the color that I wanted.

Scott

[Retroguy]

I didn't think it would be this difficult to begin. Do you think most tears with nice rims are custom built? In feel I'm building my trailer around a wheel A re custom built trailers welded or bolted together. I don't weld.

[aggie79]

I don't want to confuse things further but there is another factor to consider. It took me awhile to think through it but if I was able to do can you. The other factor to consider is the type of fender you are using. I wanted my wheel and tires to visually "fill" the fender opening so I selected a wheel and tire size that would do that. Besides making sure there was adequate clearance between the tire and sidewall, I wanted to make sure there wasn't too much clearance between the sidewalk and outside edge of the fender opening.

The math became too much for me so I ended up making some cardboard templates of the wheel and tire to see if everything would work. I'll post a picture later when I get to a computer.

[Retroguy]

I appreciate your help. Did you have your fender custom made?

[aggie79]

I don't want to confuse things further but there is another factor to consider. It took me awhile to think through it but if I was able to do can you. The other factor to consider is the type of fender you are using. I wanted my wheel and tires to visually "fill" the fender opening so I selected a wheel and tire size that would do that. Besides making sure there was adequate clearance between the tire and sidewall, I wanted to make sure there wasn't too much clearance between the sidewalk and outside edge of the fender opening.

The math became too much for me so I ended up making some cardboard templates of the wheel and tire to see if everything would work. I'll post a picture later when I get to a computer.

Here are a couple of pictures of my high-tech wheel mock-up. I made a few cardboard templates with different front spacing. (I wanted the tire to be close to the outer edge of the fender well.) The first picture is one the cardboard templates. It has two wheel/tire widths with the same front spacing (but different offsets and back spacings.)



It's a little hard to see, but this picture shows the template with the fender roughly in place.

I appreciate your help. Did you have your fender custom made?

I bought my fenders from Grant at Li'l Bear Tag-Alongs: http://www.teardrops.net/teardroptrailerparts.html (Scroll down the page.)

[martymcfly]

If you want a trailer that uses 5 lug rims, you might watch craigslist for a trailer. I bought a boat trailer that was listed in the boat section for $125. It was made out of channel. It had an axle, spring, fender assembly that bolted to the channel frame. I ended up putting a deck on it and it now hauls 3 atv's. I am into it for less than $500 with new 2x8 decking and a couple of new tires.

[Vedette]

I didn't think it would be this difficult to begin. Do you think most tears with nice rims are custom built? In feel I'm building my trailer around a wheel A re custom built trailers welded or bolted together. I don't weld.

This is "NOT" a Difficult problem!
It is simple Math!
Take the width of the frame (outside to outside) = A
Select the wheels you like and note the back space ( ie 4") = B
Add one inch for tire bulge to the back space = C
Add another one inch for clearence = D
A + [2 x (B+C+D)] = the width of the axle (mounting surface to surface) that you want to order from Dexter.
And the inside of the frame width is the inside mounting location of the braket they weld to your new axle for you to bolt it to your frame.
SIMPLE!
Good Roads
Brian

[Vedette]

Draw your frame, order your material, find someone who can weld, and get at it!
Brian

[noseoil]

I have a buddy who does welding for me. He's really reasonable & good. If you're going to build from scratch, by all means, have a frame welded for your needs. Just make sure to use "off the shelf" sizes for your parts as much as possible. The frame I found was used but very well made. When I got it home, I realized that the 5' wide listing wasn't exactly correct. It measures 5' 1/2" at one point, so I'm having to deal with that 1/2" of oversize in a few different places as I go (wood & aluminum). Not a huge problem, but not as easy as it would have been if it was really 5' wide.

In retrospect, it would have been easier to bring it back into the 5' or slightly less measurement than do some of the stuff I've had to do to make it work.

Just sayin', do your planning first before you buy anything! Get some cardboard and do a full scale mock-up of the outside profile & the interior, galley cabinets or shelves, etc. The time you spend with a full scale cardboard side panel will repay you ten-fold in problems later on. It will let you see problems before they become wasted time during the actual build. Cardboard, a pencil & eraser are your friends.

[martymcfly]

If you decide to have somebody weld you a new frame. You could possibly save some bucks by cutting everything to length. A Skill saw with a metal blade will cut 2x2 .120 wall. Then all he would have to do is weld it for you.

[Retroguy]

I'm reading all your posts. They are very helpful. This may be a winter project for me, but that just me more time to lurk and research. ThNk you all

[Vedette]

I'm reading all your posts. They are very helpful. This may be a winter project for me, but that just me more time to lurk and research. ThNk you all

Good Plan!!
You will save yourself a ton of money, time, and aggravation!
Good Rods
Brian & Sandi