Dodgezilla

Will our third gen rims fit on a 7000lb 8-lug trailer axle?

Totallyrad

Seems to me I measured once and my 1st gen rims would fit but I don't remember about the off set.

BearKiller

The bolt-pattern should match.

DEPENDING on the trailer, the inside of the tires will probably be hard against the trailer long before the rim touches the hub, especially if it is a live-stock trailer.

Trailer rims and most older-model truck rims do not have so much back-spacing as later-model rims.

Dodgezilla

Thanks. So what I have come up with is that they "should" be the correct bolt pattern but I will have to get them special made to the correct length so they don't rub on the inside.
So, the next question would be, can I simply mount a 7000lb axle on my 5200lb axle leafspring setup? I know it will be a big pain trying to remove these from the trailer and if I could simply cut the u-bolts, pull the 5200lb axles out, and bolt the 7000lb axles in that's all I really need.

Tobin

You will have to move the springs inboard for sure as the backspacing is too great to allow then mount on the hub. They are a standard 8 on 6.5" bolt pattern, so that will work.

This weekend I had to put my spare on my trailer backwards so I could make it down the road.

Tobin

Dodgezilla

Well, of course, on the way to work this morning I look back and see a flat tire on the trailer. As I was changing it I realized that I would definitely need the taller springs to get the clearance needed to run the larger rims/tires. I don't know if it's worth all this but it would be nice to not have to worry about how much weight I am putting back there.....

SundayMoney

Trailer wheels typically have zero offset. I don't think the Dodge rims do.

If weight is a concern,you can get some really nice aluminum trailer wheels for cheap. I put some Sendel trailer wheels on my fifth wheel this summer. They have a 3200# load rating and only ran $65 a pop.

Dodgezilla

Do the aluminum rims have a higher rating that the ugly steel white wagon wheels?

southwestwheel

Trailer wheels were designed after the early 16" Ford wheels with a 4.88" center bore, +.50 offset, and a eight lug 6.5" bolt circle. The Dodge wheel will have an eight lug 6.5" bolt circle, you may have to bore out the center hole (not the biggest deal since it is a stud pilot setup), and you will have to contend with the offset. Unless you are dead set on carrying one spare, you might find some better alternatives.

Dodgezilla

I just have a complete set of Dodge Ram wheels/tires that I could use if it wasn't a big hassle. If I could get my hands on a set of aluminum rims with a little more capacity then I think I would still be happy. These axles have held up to me filling the trailer with furniture fully from front to back. The tires on the other hand always worry me. Is there a higher rated trailer tire than the standard one they give you at the trailer supply store?

southwestwheel

Many of the larger trailer manufacturers are abandoning the 16" wheel and tire all together. Now that they are building 17.5" x 6.75" stud pilot wheels, you can run a 21575R17.5 which can handle anything you throw at it. The down side is they are costly and you have to have the clearance.

SundayMoney

The wheels I changed to have over 400lbs more capacity per wheel that the steel wheels did.

That was just a side benefit. I wanted something that looked nicer than the crap they put on from the factory.

BearKiller

It's not as easy as all that.

Most likely, your 5200 axles are on rocking-tandem springs with all the troublesome little shackles and such.

The 7000s and bigger should be hanging on a genuine slipper-spring set-up, much superior for heavy loading and hard abuse.


Unless, of course, you have that flimsy torsion mess.