Couple questions...

[steved]

I have a line on some 2003 mustang aluminum wheels that will probably fit my 5vr (GVW 4800)... anyone see any problem adding some "bling" to my camper? I would assume that since the camper uses passenger car tires that a passenger car rim would be alright as well?



I may end up replacing bearings... anyone have a good online source for Timken/Koyo (or other name brand) bearings?? It might be as simple as the bearings are loose... all four wheels have significant slop in the bearings. I had intended to repack them anyway, finding them loose was disheartening.



And speaking of bearings... what is the latest/greatest method of tightening them? I usually hand tighten my trailer bearings, but I've not adjusted one with brakes before. I assume it would be similar to our trucks, tighten to X ft-lbs and back off X turn?? Wasn't there a Dexter method for bearing preload or something???

 

[RVTRKN]

Your probaly OK, when you inspect them check your drums and magnets and then thighten the bearings to 30 #ft and back off 1/4 turn should be fine.

 

[RVTRKN]

Oh, by the way the tires should be rated for trailers due to the fact when you turn, the tires have a slip effect on duals. I had a good set bubble up on the tops and when I complained about it to the person installing the new set on the road. He said it was due to them not being trailer tires. Just thought I would throw that out there, not trying to be a rain cloud, just trying to save you the headache I went through on the road.

 

[steved]

The trailer has a set of car tires on it... I believe that's what it came with originally (its an 88). The only thing wrong with the tires on it now is the fact they have dry rotted... I'd be more concerned about it if the trailer weighed more...



So tighten to 30#s and back off a 1/4... sounds good. I got to pick up some grease tonight... it never ends.

 

[AClayton]

That is another reason to go with ST tires... ST have more sidewall resistance to sun exposure and curb scuffing - more sidewall plies. Plus,as mentioned earlier,the tread design allows much easier cornering on a tandemn set-up. And don't be alarmed with a very slight 'wiggle'on the pre-load after you back-off the 1/4 turn. Over-tightenening is much worse on the bearings than than the aforementioned'very slight wiggle'.

 

[steved]

Guys, don't take this as confrontational, but as discussion... it might come off half cocked, but see my reasoning...



I would rather use passenger car tires in this application for several reasons... the first and foremost is the poor construction of ST tires (just read some of the posts in this forum) and the fact that there is not a ST tire size that will compare to what I'm running (I can't go smaller due to height of the pin, can't go bigger because of tandem spacing).



I'll take my chances with a passenger car tire rated at 1400#s (5600# total on the four) on a camper that has a unladen weight of 3200#s and a max of 4800#s... my Subaru Outback is stressing these tires more than my camper (you should see my wife drive)!



I intend on using a 205/70/15 BFG Traction TA rated at 1400#s, a "T" rating, and good construction... not some generic tire. The ONLY ST tire close to this size is rated at 1160#s... and would require buying four 13" rims!



And FYI, an ST205/75/15 won't fit!! I know, I have one as a spare... the PO must have overlooked that detail!

 

[RVTRKN]

I'm surprized you got the original tires on still, normally there only good for about 5 seasons and then the dry rot can cause a problem. I was embarrassed one time when my neighbor said he thought his boat tires were bad (not worn) and needed replacing, when I opened my big mouth and said they looked OK to me. When he got back from his trip he said he had a blowout in the middle of the desert. I was also told to raise the tires off the ground when stored to prevent the ply's from separating prematurely.

I don't think you will have a problem, just was giving advise that was givin to me.

 

[steved]

Don't get me wrong, I'd love to stick a LT or a radial ST under it, but the size is screwy.

For the limited use this will see, I should be fine... I do check tires quite often... the one's on it currently are really bad, but they got me home (over a 150 miles trip)...

 

[steved]

How I hate people... knowing the spindle is 1", see anything wrong with this picture???





#ad

 

[JCasper]

Doesn't surprise me

 

[steved]

I got a price of $144 for all the bearings from Grainger... all NTN brand, which are/were as good as Timken.

I'll probably order them in the next day or so...

I'm a little irked, if I had noticed this early on, I would NOT HAVE PULLED, REPACKED, AND REINSTALLED ALL FOUR CORNERS!!! Now I get to do it ALL OVER AGAIN!

At least I got practice...

 

[HBarlow]

I would be very careful about buying a set of Mustang aluminum wheels for use on a TT.



First, passenger tire wheels may not be rated for sufficient weight.



Second, Ford uses metric sized wheels. They probably won't fit. The problem is if you make a crude measurement with a rule they may "appear" to be the right size but when you mount them, you will probably find them lug centered and they won't match the bolt pattern of the hubs.



Third, they probably won't have the correct offset.



In summary, probably not the best idea you've had recently.

 

[steved]

Comment noted:



First, the TT weighs a whopping 3200#s with a max 4800GVW... the Mustang weighs close to 3000#.



Second, Mustang wheels are a 5 on 4. 5 pattern, confirmed by quite a few people.



Lastly, my only holdup is the offset, but they look very close. I have a 2000 Mustang sitting in the driveway...

 

[JimB1]

Two kinds of Aluminum wheels.



Forged. Top of the line strength and price.



Cast. Less strength. Should be good for whatever their stated capacity. Less price.

 

[steved]

Two kinds of Aluminum wheels.



Forged. Top of the line strength and price.



Cast. Less strength. Should be good for whatever their stated capacity. Less price.

Yep, and IIRC, the windon sticker on the wife's Mustang indicated forged wheels.