Cheap place/advice on new trailer wheels? (Wagon Wheels?)
 

OK gather 'round...quick story picture book time. :)

Here's what happened to one of my wheels, I want to replace all of them before it happens again. I was on the way back from NY, to TX. Heard something funny turning in a parking lot, looked at my wheel and all the bolt holes were cracked through! Never saw anything like this before.

What would cause this?

Also, can anyone reccomend a place to get a set of 4 wheels? The one wheel I got in a pinch ran me close to $100. No way a cheapo wheel like this should cost that much should it? Just the plain old "wagon wheels" are fine for the price. I assume trailer wheels are made a little different than a regular car/truck wheel?

Know anybody with good prices on them? Thanks!!

-Dave


http://paradox.shacknet.nu/dave88lx/...rn-trip/32.jpg


http://paradox.shacknet.nu/dave88lx/...rn-trip/31.jpg

Did the only thing I knew how to do...cargo strap that side of the axle up against the bottom of the trailer, and limped it to Bowling Green, KY.
http://paradox.shacknet.nu/dave88lx/...rn-trip/33.jpg


Finally around 10am, They were able to get the wheel I needed into the shop and mounted onto the trailer:
http://paradox.shacknet.nu/dave88lx/...rn-trip/34.jpg

Southwest wheel in Dallas.. here is the trailer link
http://www.etrailerpart.com/

That's exactly where I'm looking now, thanks for the link!

What's the difference between 2925, Uniroyal, and Shield tires?

I don't know I put 16 in 10 ply Uniroyal tires and white modular wheels on my 5th wheel upgraded from 15 in for $137 piece best price by far:)

Angelo Fleet used to be tied in with southwest wheel I don't know if they still are or not 325-651-4777,they are a lot closer to you

"What would cause this?"

A few things come to mind:

- How often were the torque settings checked and were the proper settings used?

- Perhaps years of corrosion working it's way around & underneath the lugnuts due to improper torque setting, thereby allowing slow rusting away of the steel increasing hole size diameter.

- Were the lugnuts/studs the proper type to work with those wheels (self centering type or not)? Were these wheels the one's that came with the trailer? All original, or is there unknown history with those wheels?

Looks like there was a lot of movement and vibration once they developed play around the mounting holes. Just a matter of time before it fatigued the metal.

if you want the 15 in 6 hole 5.5 in bolt pattern wheels and tires I took off my 5th wheel you can have the all for $100.

Well that site wants $160 just for shipping! :o Might have to pass on that. They said they can get it to a nearby "port" for around $80, but that'll probably be in like Sweetwater or something.

Angelo Fleet? I will have to check with them thanks for the tip!

XZILR8N, I honestly don't know the history. They were on the trailer when I bought it, so I couldn't tell you. I know for sure when I get new wheels/tires/nuts they will be correct! With lugnut torque, is it based on the kind of wheel, or the size of the stud? (Of course, there's no manual to check with). I think they are 7/16" studs, how many ft-lb is that? Need to replace all the lugnuts anyways, maybe the new lugs will have a spec on them...

justcampin, thanks that's a very generous offer! I'm going to probably be "slightly" overloaded on my way back, so I'm a little leary about using something that's used and not knowing the history/condition before-hand... How many miles are on the tires/how much tread left? Do ya happen to have any pics of the set? If so please shoot them over to drdirt45@yahoo.com THanks!

On that note, what is the difference between a 15 and 16 inch wheel, load rating?

The Wagon Wheel style are not rated as heavy as the modular style with round holes...

When I bought my 5th wheel, someone had put a pair of wagon wheel types on it, and one had a couple of broken spokes...

Dave88LX , I don't want to put myself out of a sale but if I were you I would go for the 16in, much heavier tire, that why I upgraded to 16in