15" Rims

[ocasioc25]

Hello all,
I have a Northern Tools 5x8 trailer which I used for my build. Teardrop already done and been out in it 3 times last year. It has 12" tires and I've been thinking going with bigger tires. Two reasons I want to upgrade tires, less wear on the hub bearings and looks. What 15" car rims can I use with a 4.50" lug offset that I can get a junkyard that are pretty decent? This is what I am looking for.... 15", 7" wide, not too much offset and nice pattern. I need to buy an axle cause I built on the sides of the trailer and have very little clearance between the tire and the trailer. So while I'm at it, might as well get nice rims.

Your thoughts and suggestions will be appreciated.

Carlos

[kudzu]

Can't answer your question but do have a (possibly unhelpful) comment. The 14" wheels on my trailer seemed like a good compromise. They don't overheat at reasonable hwy speeds, approx 60 mph to 100 k/hr range. My camper is promoted by the manufacturer as "off-road ready", though it's clearly not designed to rock crawl behind a 4x4. With a flipped axle & upgrade to 14" wheels it's got plenty of clearance for places my AWD van can travel. Am only mentioning the 14" as an alternative, in case you cannot find 15" that suit you or would prefer a somewhat less costly option. (Meaning tires less costly, not necessarily rims.)

[QueticoBill]

There are a lot of web sites with tables and search engines to show which cars have the 5 x 4.5 hub, and some give at least an idea of offset.

I'm considering similar upgrade on my Ironton trailer. Is you plan to use NT original hubs on a new longer axel?

[HarryL]

I put 14" rims and tires on my teardrop. I think they are big enough. They have worked out well. I got aluminum rims with tires mounted from Etrailer.

[swoody126]

5-hole x 4.5" bolt circle can be found on Fords & Jeeps(YJ's, TJ's & XJ's that i'm aware of)

check on CraigsList they have a WHEELS & TIRES section

if you want a tire & wheel combination you can goto TRACTOR SUPPLY or WALLY WORLD

sw

[Vedette]

Good Choice.
5 on 4.5 is the most common pattern out there (almost everything except Chev)
And good timing.....if you are going to buy a new axle (Dexter Rubber Ride I hope) as you can order it to any spec you want.
So select the wheels and tires (get radials) you want, place them exactly where you want them in relation to your trailer sides and the outside edge of your fender. Then measure the distance between the wheel mounting surfaces, and order your axle accordingly.
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

[Kaz]

recstuff.com has some nice wheels for trailers. Got a set for $150. May seem pricey but they're made for trailers not something that kinda fits like a car wheel with wrong offset. And they make the TD look pissah !

[dmdc411]

I know somewhere in this forum is a list of cars and the bolt pattern specs. I would need my desktop to locate it! Smartphones!

[frosty]

There are a lot of web sites with tables and search engines to show which cars have the 5 x 4.5 hub, and some give at least an idea of offset.

Do you have a link to the link? :-)

[QueticoBill]

There are a lot of web sites with tables and search engines to show which cars have the 5 x 4.5 hub, and some give at least an idea of offset.

Do you have a link to the link? :-)

Here's one: http://www.roadkillcustoms.com/hot-rods ... z4SNg6FAJB but I found several in first attempt.

PS: this looks more useful with offset info - http://www.crawlpedia.com/bolt_patterns.htm

[ocasioc25]

Thank guys. I think going with the 14" rims would be a good choice. Not too big yet bigger than the 12". I built my trailer and placed the axle under the springs and it still scraped going across small dips. I'm not planning on going off road but some of the campgrounds are not road quality grade. I'm planning on going on a few long trips this year and want to make sure the wheel bearings don't take too much punishment. On top of that I plan to carry with me a hub with packed bearings just in case.

Thanks for all the advise.

Carlos

[QueticoBill]

Thank guys. I think going with the 14" rims would be a good choice. Not too big yet bigger than the 12". I built my trailer and placed the axle under the springs and it still scraped going across small dips. I'm not planning on going off road but some of the campgrounds are not road quality grade. I'm planning on going on a few long trips this year and want to make sure the wheel bearings don't take too much punishment. On top of that I plan to carry with me a hub with packed bearings just in case.

Thanks for all the advise.

Carlos

Can you tell me what scraped what, since I'm working with the sma NT trailer and planned to set the axle on top of the springs, and initially or later go to 14" wheels?

[OPPOSABLETOE]

I have the Northern Tool 5 x 8 and upgraded to 15" wheels.

I had to get 2" wheel spacers for the hub.

[frosty]

Thanks for the links QB