ordering new wheels and tires....bolt patterns?

[2stroke1971]

I am going to get some new wheels with tires for my '84 load rite. It holds a 20 foot boat, single axle. Right now, it has 15" aluminum mag wheels from a ford ranger on it. (previous owner) The most reasonable price for new tires WITH rims I found was $110 a piece at one of the big box auto stores, but I have to order them...(takes a day to come in)
The thing is, they don't even list a bolt pattern on these wheels. What should I be asking for? Are there many different patterns out there or is it pretty much standard for a 15" trailer wheel?

Thanks,
Neil

 

[Snowfish]

Re: ordering new wheels and tires....bolt patterns?

You'll need to measure your existing bolt pattern circumference. Here's how.



For instance, a 5 x 4 1/2 means 5 lug by 4 1/2" circumference.

4 & 6 lugs are measured center to center on the studs. The 5 bolts can be really confusing if measured wrong.

And remember that trailer rims are Zero off-set.

 

[Alwhite00]

Re: ordering new wheels and tires....bolt patterns?

Should be 5 on 4.5" pattern - Pretty standard for a 5 lug trailer.

LK

 

[roscoe]

Re: ordering new wheels and tires....bolt patterns?

You'll need to measure your existing bolt pattern circumference. Here's how.

View attachment 192797

For instance, a 5 x 4 1/2 means 5 lug by 4 1/2" circumference.

4 & 6 lugs are measured center to center on the studs. The 5 bolts can be really confusing if measured wrong.

And remember that trailer rims are Zero off-set.

That would be diameter, not circumference.

 

[Snowfish]

Re: ordering new wheels and tires....bolt patterns?

That would be diameter, not circumference.

Your right! :facepalm: There's that college edgumaction going to work for me!:caked:

 

[oldjeep]

Re: ordering new wheels and tires....bolt patterns?

Should be 5 on 4.5" pattern - Pretty standard for a 5 lug trailer.

LK

Which is also the bolt pattern on a Ranger, explorer, jeep Cherokee, jeep YJ and TJ

 

[matt167]

Re: ordering new wheels and tires....bolt patterns?

It is a common Ford, AMC and Mopar bolt pattern. I know of several people who used old Ford Rims for their trailers.

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: ordering new wheels and tires....bolt patterns?

Why not just invest in decent tires??? Big box store tires are going to be crappy, nothing wrong with the wheels you have. Ranger wheels are fine, there's technically no such thing as a "0" offset wheel, offsets typically are 1/4-1/2" for a trailer wheel. I wouldn't run a Jeep Wrangler wheel from later years as the offset gets up to over 1", probably would also create clearance problems. But most five lug trailer wheels are 5-4/1/2. Offset doesn't matter too much. Your wheels are fine, find a Maxxis or Kumho dealer for the tires.

 

[four winns 214]

Re: ordering new wheels and tires....bolt patterns?

If you plan to tow often, especially long distances, I second the advice to keep current wheels and buy GOOD tires. The tire on a $110 wheel/tire combo is probably trash.

 

[2stroke1971]

Re: ordering new wheels and tires....bolt patterns?

Thanks for the information. Now I know what to ask them. Hmm. The tire on the combo is a Kenda loadstar...the weird thing is the tire by itself is $94...with the rim its $110. By the time I would take the old wheels somewhere to have them mounted and balanced, etc....i figured Id just get the combo. Not sure about premium tires, I am on a tight budget here. Believe me, these loadstars are a big step up from what is on there now. (don't ask) Its also a time thing....I can get these on payday and slap them on and go fishing Saturday! LOL....

 

[oldjeep]

Re: ordering new wheels and tires....bolt patterns?

Thanks for the information. Now I know what to ask them. Hmm. The tire on the combo is a Kenda loadstar...the weird thing is the tire by itself is $94...with the rim its $110. By the time I would take the old wheels somewhere to have them mounted and balanced, etc....i figured Id just get the combo. Not sure about premium tires, I am on a tight budget here. Believe me, these loadstars are a big step up from what is on there now. (don't ask) Its also a time thing....I can get these on payday and slap them on and go fishing Saturday! LOL....

Nothing wrong with the Kendas, those are my preferred tires.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: ordering new wheels and tires....bolt patterns?

this may help

Videos | etrailer.com

 

[H20Rat]

Re: ordering new wheels and tires....bolt patterns?

there's technically no such thing as a "0" offset wheel, offsets typically are 1/4-1/2" for a trailer wheel. Offset doesn't matter too much.

I'm curious about that comment... I was 99.9% sure that almost all trailer wheels are 0 offset, and the bearings are absolutely set up for zero. Why do you say there is no zero offset? Going to have to go measure now! I know that vehicle wheels are rarely 0 offset though.

Checked on a couple online sites (iboats doesn't list offset, sorry mods, otherwise I would have listed them...), I saw a couple trailer wheels with +5mm offset, but the vast majority list 0.

Also, as far as offsets not mattering much, I beg to differ on that... I've personally witnessed people chew up wheel bearings in under 500 miles by running offsets that were way out of spec. It matters A LOT, at least if you don't like replacing bearings. At least in my experience, more than about 5mm either direction and you risk chewing up the edge of the bearing.


13" Trailer Wheel, Chrome Spoke 5 on 4-1/2, 4-1/2" Width Redline Tires and Wheels WH1345-5CS
Dexstar Conventional Steel Wheel - 15" x 6" Rim - 6 on 5-1/2 - Black Powder Coat Dexstar Tires and Wheels AM20514
Dexstar Steel Spoke Trailer Wheel - 16" x 6" Rim - 8 on 6-1/2 - White Powder Coat Dexstar Tires and Wheels AM20750

 

[2stroke1971]

Re: ordering new wheels and tires....bolt patterns?

I'm curious about that comment... I was 99.9% sure that almost all trailer wheels are 0 offset, and the bearings are absolutely set up for zero. Why do you say there is no zero offset? Going to have to go measure now! I know that vehicle wheels are rarely 0 offset though.

Checked on a couple online sites (iboats doesn't list offset, sorry mods, otherwise I would have listed them...), I saw a couple trailer wheels with +5mm offset, but the vast majority list 0.

Also, as far as offsets not mattering much, I beg to differ on that... I've personally witnessed people chew up wheel bearings in under 500 miles by running offsets that were way out of spec. It matters A LOT, at least if you don't like replacing bearings. At least in my experience, more than about 5mm either direction and you risk chewing up the edge of the bearing.


13" Trailer Wheel, Chrome Spoke 5 on 4-1/2, 4-1/2" Width Redline Tires and Wheels WH1345-5CS
Dexstar Conventional Steel Wheel - 15" x 6" Rim - 6 on 5-1/2 - Black Powder Coat Dexstar Tires and Wheels AM20514
Dexstar Steel Spoke Trailer Wheel - 16" x 6" Rim - 8 on 6-1/2 - White Powder Coat Dexstar Tires and Wheels AM20750

Brother, thank you for that! This is not the first trailer Ive owned, and I will say that it eats bearings ALIVE!!!! I do alot of driving with it but jeez Im talking 2 or 3 sets a season. I was wondering if the mag wheels had anything to do with that. Boy that tears it. Wheels and tires for me. I will be greatly interested to see if my bearing last longer.