Reverse (front) mounting of wheels for better offset...?

[fkovalski]

Can I turn the wheels around so that the front face that is normally seen when properly mounted is the surface that mates to the axle? I want to put wider tires on my utility trailer but the sidewalls will hit the chassis when mounted in the normal fashion. Turning the wheels around will provide more offset.



There is sort of a "bowl" shaped area of the wheel that accepts the lug nut for proper mounting that does not appear on the reverse side.



Can I turn the wheels around without fear of any odd effects?

 

[Tractorat]

Somebody else definitely chime in here because I definitely dont know what Im talked about. But, I do have an opinion. I wouldn't do it.



There is 100 years of engineering behind the way the wheel is bolted on to the axle. I don't know about the rest of the design, but I would bet that the bowel is designed to help make sure that the lug nuts dont go flying off when you're going down the road.



I don't know the law where you are. But, here in Washington State, if you improperly load a trailer (or truck), and something flys off and hits someone, they're going to have your ***. If a wheel went flying off, and they could prove that the wheel was improperly attached, I wouldn't want to be you.



Just my 2 cents.



TRat

 

[SierraRam]

The answer is no. Wheels are dsigned with a axle mating surface and lug nuts that center the wheel.

 

[fkovalski]

Thanks for the opinions. I will not do it... it was just a thought.



It is a very light duty trailer built using a 3/4 ton Ford axle. Maybe I will look onto wheel spacers instead to buy a little more room.

 

[steved]

Umm, you cannot flip them around mainly because of the lug nut cones and the center hole of the wheel may have a flange...

But I see no reason you could not buy a different wheel with a *different* OFFSET, and one that suits your needs. I have had good luck finding cheap steel wheels on Summit Racing with many backspacings.

 

[J&LRam]

trailer axles and wheels are set up for zero offset as the mounting face is between the inner and outer bearings. Its possible to get by with the wrong offset on a lightweight trailer but I wouldn't do it on a heavier trailer.

 

[steved]

I suppose guys running offset wheels on their truck, with the max pin weight aren't hurting anything either?



I believe the OP is not talking a whole lot of offset change...

 

[fkovalski]

I guess I should mention... the trailer is a home- built using a Ford 3/4 ton rear axle... don't know if this added info changes anything.

 

[Kilo]

I would think it would be no different than putting offset wheels on and truck axle. That should be a dana 60 I think unless it is some odd year but at least something similar, so you could throw whatever you want at it and it should be fine. although being a 250 it is probably not a full floating axle but you said light duty use so it shouldn't matter. Do whatever you feel like just dont make it to offset... like 7inches or something. I have seen 5. 5 inches of backspacing ran for years. just my $. 02

 

[fkovalski]

Actually, it is a floating axle. I do not think that the offset is a concern (that is what I am looking for to get the clearance)

It is more of a concern for me as to the wheel to axle flange that concerns me. The bolt holes do not accept lugs from the reverse side and the mounting surface is not the same. I could just torque the hell out of it, but general consensus says that this idea is probably not a good one.

 

[Kilo]

My bad I thought you were thinking about the reliability of the axle with the offset. I would do it if its not used at high speeds and you feel ok with how it "fits". Or just say the hell with it and tac the lugs on there after.

 

[WILLD420]

Are you trying to run the dodge wheels? If so, try a Ford wheel. Same pattern, same hole in the center, just different offset toward the outside of the rig.

Have you ever measured backspacing before? It's pretty easy.

As for spacers, they will cost you more than a set of used 8 lug wheels. Ebay is a good place to find them. 2-3" should get you where you need to be. A lot of dually's use them when they go to bigger tires, to space the duals apart so they don't rub.

Good luck. BTW, you'll never hurt that Ford axle with backspacing, so don't worry about that or the loads on the bearings.

 

[HBarlow]

Wheels and axles are designed to mate by one of two different methods. Hub centered or lug centered.



The wheels you describe are lug centered meaning the raised area around the lug opening in each wheel is designed to mate with the lug nuts to center the wheels. Reversing the wheels would prevent the lug nuts from centering the wheels and may even prevent the wheels from being secured properly. Probably not a good idea.



You can probably buy wheels of the same design and size with a greater offset. Wheel manufacturers produce catalogs with pages of descriptions to select from.