Swapping out 5 lug hubs

[SMcGrady]

My travel trailer has 15 inch wheels with 5 lugs. I want to know if I can change the hubs to 6 (or maybe 8) lug hubs, then put 16 in wheels/tires on it.

I need some advice.



Here's the facts:

Trailer: 2004 Komfort 23T (bumper pull)

Axles: 2 (GAWR 7000 lbs)

Wheel well clearance:

18" from Ctr of axle to top of wheel well (closest surface to axle center-point)

31. 5" from Ctr of front axle to Ctr of rear axle.



So my questions are:



1. Is it possible to change the hubs from 5 lug to 6? if so... Is it difficult?

2. will 16 inch wheels and good LT tires have too large a radius to fit in my wheel wells, and have enough clearance to be safe?

3. will the tire width (with new hubs/rims & 16" tires) be significantly wider (& possibly interfere with my fenders)?

4. Anyone have an alternate idea that might be easier/less expensive? (please don't say buy a new trailer. . )



Thanks in advance for the help.

Scott-

 

[GReed]

Give Dexter axle a call or etrailer.com. Your axles are probably either Dexter or Alko. If you have 12"X2" brakes, you should be able to change over to 6 or 8 lug. Get the specs on 16" tires you would want to use and check if the additional radius would be a problem. You may find a 16" with about the same dimensions as your 15", only higher load capacity. Width may not be too much of a problem unless your 15" are tight.

 

[SMcGrady]

Thanks. How do I know if I have 12"x2" brakes?
Also, if 6 lug and 8 lug hubs are available, which is it better to go with? what's the rationale for choosing one over the other?
And I know this has been bandied about a lot in past posts... But what is the current wisdom regarding a good tire for this application?
Finally, does anyone know the OD and width of the 16" tires that they recommended?

 

[SMcGrady]

One more question... what is the safe separation dimension between front/rear tires? Since the Ctr to Ctr dimension of my axles is 31. 5", that means if I mounted tires with an OD of 30. 5" I would only have 1" of clearance between the two. that seems kinda scary

 

[GReed]

IIRC, I found the brake size on etrailer.com. If your axles are 7,000GAWR, they are probably 12"X2". Look up brakes on etrailer.com, they were listed by size and axle weight rating. I have 6 lug rims on my 5er. With 8 lug, in a pinch, you may be able to use your truck spare. Backspacing could be a problem as most trailer wheels are 0 backspacing. I'm running 235/85/16 Michelin XPS ribs. They have limited sizing. Other tires that have a good following are, Bridgestone Duravis R250 (I believe), and BFG commercial. There are a couple of good threads on here regarding trailer tires. You can also try RV.net and IRV2. Tirerack.com is a good place to find dimensional specs on tires.

 

[GReed]

That does sound a bit tight. I don't know the minimum you would want to go. Maybe someone will chime in on that question. I've read what a minimum clearance would be, but I can't remember.

 

[NIsaacs]

With 5 bolt wheels you probably have 3500# axles with 10x2. 25" brakes. I doubt you can upgrade the hubs and brakes to a larger size. The 5200# axle would be a 12x2" brake and 6 lug wheels.



Nick

 

[SMcGrady]

That would not be good...

The spec page for the 2004 Komfort 23t lists the GWAR as 7000 http://www.rvweb.com/guides/manufacturers/komfort/models/2004_komfort_tt-1084478269717 . Is there a place on the axle that shows what I have? I crawled around under it yesterday afternoon and couldn't find anything.

 

[NIsaacs]

The GAWR that the web site has is for two axles, 3500x2=7,000. You should have a GVW tag on your camper that will show the spec's. A true 7,000# axle is an 8 bolt pattern.



Nick

 

[AClayton]

A 3500# axle will have 2 3/8" diam. axle tubes... ... . a 5200# or 6000# will have 3" tubes. If your gross axle weight says 7000#... . more than likely you have 3500# axles.

 

[SMcGrady]

After crawling around last night looking at them, 2-3/8" seems about right. I thought GAWR was how much each axle could take. I guess I was wrong...

So, I am stuck with 15" wheels and no chance of getting LT tires on this thing? #@$%!



Ok, what is my best option for tires then? any suggestions? Seems I read something about a 15" Goodyear Workhorse that might have been an LT tire. would this fit/work for me? If I can't get a good LT tire, what is the best alternative?



Any other options? maybe new axles?? (I don't want to spend a ton on this)

 

[DennyDay]

I replaced my 3500# axels with 7000# put the springs over the axel and now 235 75R 16E tires. Raised the trailer up so the ground clearance is like a 5th wheel trailer. The trailer is a 05 R-Vision. The new tires and wheels ride better (And don't bend axles. ) The 7000# axels have 6 lugs. Had the change done at MorRyde in Elkhart Indiana 3 years ago was ready to dump the trailer, now I won't consider getting rid of it. The whole conversion with 5 new aluminum wheels cost less than $500' (with out new tires) The trailer came with 14" China specials. The 16" Michelins made a huge difference. Also use a Hensley hitch.

 

[NIsaacs]

With 5 bolt wheels you probably have 3500# axles with 10x2. 25" brakes. I doubt you can upgrade the hubs and brakes to a larger size.

Nick

I did some research and to my surprise, you can get 6 on 5. 5 bolt pattern hub/drums for the 3500# axle. Both Alco and Dexter have them. The brakes will stay at 10x2. 25".

Nick

 

[SMcGrady]

That's a relief! Thanks!!

 

[SMcGrady]

So I priced it all out for 4 of the following: Dexter 6 on hub/drums , brakes, 16" wheels, Duravis R250 LT225/75R16 tires, just shy of $1600 delivered.

The peace of mind I have the next time I hit the road without the 15" willpops under my trailer... . priceless!



Thanks to all.

 

[Road Dog]

When I went looking for an LT tire for my utility trailer my tire guy said an ST tire has more plies and a stiffer sidewall. I ended up with a Hercules ST205/75R15, load range D, 2,150# at 65PSI. Most 15" ST tires are load range C but there's a few Ds and Es out there.

 

[LAllen]

I was looking at TireRack and found 14" LT tires! They are Yokohama Y356 highway rib, cost about $100, but wouldn't need new wheels.