Bigger wheels on a HF chassis

[Spongemonkey]

Im in the planning stages and trying to decide between the 2000# harbor freight trailer (HF item 40597-4VGA) and the 1175# trailer (90154-0VGA) as a chassis. Economically I'm drawn to the 1175# chassis being a starving student and all. My question is; has anyone replaced the 12 inch wheels on the lighter trailer with a 14 or 15 inch rim and with what success. How easy was it to find bigger rims with the 4-4" bolt pattern and how much offset did you need to use. Also, will the lighter trailer be strong enough to hold up to light offroad camping (graded dirt roads, some washboarding). Or should I wait, suck it up and save for the heavier trailer. Thanks in advance.

[David Grason]

In the past, I've never seen 14" or 15" rims with a 4 on 4" pattern. As far as trailer wheels go, all the 14s and 15s have 5 lug patterns. Also, I just went looking on the Redneck site and they don't show anything that would help you out. So my guess is that if you've got your heart on going with bigger wheels, you'd have to change the hub itself.

[Spongemonkey]

Ouch, that sucks. Im thinking just go for the bigger trailer. Thanks for the info!

[toypusher]

If you have a Tractor Supply store near you, they sell hubs and complete axles for that matter. I have the HF #1175 and I don't think that I would want to take it off road, so to speak, with a teardrop on it. I do believe that it will be fine on the paved and narrow path that I will be using it on. I have not really looked at the redtrailers, they may be heavier duty than the HFs, but I don't know. TomS on this board is getting one this weekend and may be able to shed some light on the subject. Looking at them in the HF store, would go with the #2000, if I was planning on going off road at all with it. The best probably would be a custom made frame and axle setup. Do alot of looking around and asking qestions before you make a decision. I doubt that you want to be out in the boonies when you find out that your trailer frame can't take the terain

Good Luck

Kerry

[JunkMan]

I think Dave's right about finding a 14" or 15" wheel with 4 lugs. I know that 13" wheels with 4 lugs that should fit are pretty easy to find though.

I would think that the dirt roads would cause the bolted trailer to loosen up after a while. You would probably be OK if you checked all of the bolts for tightness after every trip. I used to have to do that on my dune buggy, as the rough roads would shake everything loose. Even nyloc nuts can and will loosen up after a while.

[ALAN GEDDES]

Go to www.mrt-wheels.com/boltpatternref.html and scroll down towards bottom of page. Tells what wheels will fit but not size or offset. Hope it helps some.

[Spongemonkey]

I guess I've got more to think about then I thought I did. I really appriciate the help!

[darkroomsource]

I have the 1175# HF trailer.
The local tire stores have 14 and 15" rims that fit the hub. But you have to turn the rim inside out - like the low riders do to make their tires stick outside the car.
I'm still looking for a better alternative, but for now this is the plan - later, after I've done all the other stuff I decided I needed to upgrade after using the trailer for a year.

[len19070]

Nobody I know , or have heard of has sucessfully found the spacific car that has a wheel that fits a HF frame/hub without problems. I just ordered a set of 5 lug hubs from Northern tool for another trailer. I'm going to put them on my HF trailer first and put a standard 5 lug 15" wheel on as a test. BTW the 15" standard wheel fits a 1984 Ford Ranger. When buying wheels a spacific vehicle helps. A lot of people at auto stores can't find a "5 lug 15" wheel"...but they can find a wheel from a 1984 Ford Ranger.

Happy Trails

Len

[mikeschn]

I see there is not much on a 4" B.C. You might be better off switching out the hub...

4 on 4" B.C. (101.6 mm)
Austin-Healey Sprite
Crosley - all '39-'52
MG Midget
Jensen Healey
Opel Manta, Kadette, GT
GM L-body
Buick Skyhawk '75-'81
Chevrolet Vega, Monza '71-'81
Pontiac Sunbird, Astre '76-'81
Oldsmobile Starfire '75-'81


Mike...

[darkroomsource]

I have a "mini-spare" from some car, don't know which because the spare was left by a friend of my son's in my garage - we couldn't identify who it was, because it was at a LAN party.
This "mini-spare" fits my trailer just fine, so I know that there are wheels that fit the trailer - I do have to turn the wheel "inside out" in order for it to not rub against the trailer though.

[doug hodder]

I think you will be a lot happier switching out the hubs and getting the wheel you want. 14's and 15's turn a lot slower than 12's so you reduce the chances of burning a bearing. I haven't done it (knock on wood), but have been with others that fused the bearing to the axle. Whole new axle stub and lots of work. Also had to leave the boat at Lake Powell through the winter until we got a new axle, as there were none available or stubs, hubs etc....and had the time to go back and get it. Fortunately we had a buddy with a yard there that we could leave the boat in. I guess the lesson here is axle/hub maintenance, and taller tires help on bearing wear. Doug Hodder

[SteveH]

I know there are 14 and 15" trailer wheels available in the 4 lug pattern standard on the HF trailers, but from everyone's comments, they won't fit because of the larger offset to the inside and hit the frame/side of the trailer.

So, based on that, it sounds like a wider axle is needed under the HF frames to get the hubs farther out away from the frame to run these larger wheel/tire combinations.

To those of you that have tried it, is that about right?

[len19070]

I think one of the big variables is switching from Trailer Stuff to Automobile stuff. There are 4 lug trailer hubs and 4 lug auto wheels. one is an apple (trailer)and one is an orange (auto). But once you go to a 5 lug hub both fit each other well. Once again ;

When buying wheels knowing a specific vehicle helps. A lot of people at auto stores can't find a "5 lug 15"X7 wheel"...but they can find a wheel from a 1984 Ford Ranger.

Happy Trails

Len

[Geron]

According to Northern Tool:
High Speed Axle Hub sets
Item 12411: 5 on 4.5
Item 11125: 5 0n 4.5
Item 125: 5 on 4.5
Item 1241: 4 on 4
All are rated a 2000 LB.
All have 1 inch bearings and
all have 1-1/4 seals.
The hubs can be changed on these axels. Sizing larger tires on your trailer is possible with the correct wheel
HERE

The only problem I see with this is the spindle on the HF trailer is 25mm. (at least it is on my HF and takes the 30205 bearing) The 1" bearing (44643) won't fit the 25mm spindle (way too loose). You could possibly change the spindle to 1" -- why not just buy a new axle??

I have two Nu-Way trailers with 1" spindles/bearings/hubs; a HF trailer with 25mm spindle/bearings; and an Aliner with 1 1/16" spindle/bearings/hubs and they don't mix and match. I have to keep 3 different sets of replacement bearings The grease seals are all different also.

That's a good source for hubs - good prices too. BUT the 1" hub sets won't fit the 25mm spindles.

Now next question: Will the 30205 bearing (25mm spindle) fit in the hub for the 1" bearing. Have to get my micrometer out and see. That would solve the problem and mount the hub on the 25mm spindle.

Just measured both bearings -- No Way - the 1" bearings are more than 2mm smaller than the 25mm bearings on the hub side. Ain't gonna work no way. New axle necessary for 1" hub sets.

Geron