Does anyone make a reasonable priced 17.5 8 hole wheel. I'm tired of the 16 inch tires seperating and having problems. Steel would be fine as aluminum is to rich for my blood.

 

http://www.etrailerpart.com/16175wt.htm I took a quick google and found this one site. I think they might be site sponsors as well, not sure.

 

It really depends if you have a 7,000 lbs. axle or an 8,000 lbs. axle for your available options.

 

I've got three 7000 lb. axle under my trailer I pull bobcats on. They stand up pretty good, I've replaced the front one once in the since I built the trailer in 1993 so that's not bad. I can get recapped 215/75/17.5 for around 100 bucks apeice. I know alot of people don't like recaps but I've had good luck with them. My pintle hitch has 17.5's on it and the new gooseneck I'm building will have 17.5's also. They carry a load so much better than any 16 I've ever had and I usually run 14 ply when I put them on trailers.
It would also be nice to have all one size so I didn't have to keep different kinds of spare tires around.

 

Generally the 17.5" in steels or aluminum are hub piloted or built for the 8,000 lbs. axle. We had Alcoa build the 17.5" in a stud pilot for 7,000 lbs. axles. They are pricy but we have never seen a 17.5" stud pilot steel. Remember the TDR members get the best deals on all our products. But yes Alcoa's can be quit expensive.

 

I've seen some solid steel wheels, I guess they are for hub pilot too and flat face lugnuts? What size difference is the centering hub on a 7000 and 8000 axle?

 

It is really not the size of the center hole that is the problem. With stud piloted wheels the center hole is no more than a decorative cutout. It is the stud holes need to be tappered to 60 degrees, if not basically your studs will break off. Generally the aluminum guys are the only ones that can bear this type of expense, their is not enough volume to warrant a steel wheel.

 

So the steel wheels I've seen are hub pilot wheels? I think I understand what you are trying to tell me. 8000 lbs axles have hub pilot type wheels and 7000 lb. are stud piloted! It takes something like this to make me understand!

 

Well this is all news to me as well, and interesting too. Can I ask then to try to help me clear my brain, a basic pickup truck 1/2 what type of wheels are they? My trailer is built with ford hubs from about a 1970 or maybe 73. I want to get different wheels as well as they are 15" and I have crappy car tires on it. They also look bad. Is the idea that one uses the bolts and a taper on the wheel to keep it centered and the bolts are actually carring the weight? and the other type needs to fit tight on the hub to bear the weight.

 

Technically all single wheels except for F-Series 99 and up and 17.5" 8k axles are all stud piloted. Wheels that are designed to center on the studs of a hub. These wheels have chamfers at the bolt holes into which a ball seat or conical nut is installed to center the wheel. The center bore of the wheel is only for clearance of the axle end. In other words as long as your bolt circle is the same, your center hole is just a decorative cutout. It does get a little more complicated with dual wheels, but that is a different subject. Don't get me wrong alot of people get up tight about that center bore, but it really makes no difference. But never put a stud piloted wheel on a hub piloted hub or a hub piloted wheel on a stud piloted hub. Your buddy my have gotten away with it, but you won't.