I just upgraded my axel and original 5 bolt wheels on my 67 Caravel to a six bolt pattern...if you want my old spare and wheel it's yours free if you pay the shipping, or you can pick it up in Petaluma, CA if you're up this way anytime soon.
Oren
Oren,
I would, indeed, be interested in your spare and tire. Let me ask a few questions.
1. Is the tire nylon or radial?(Were all three nylon or radial?)
2. Are these the original wheels? (I'm not so much a purist, but I would like to match as much as possible, and I do have the baby moon caps.)
3. Would you be interested in parting with/selling all three wheels/tires in your original five bolt(4 1/2") pattern?
Here is why I ask: I currently have three, 6:70 X 15 nylon trailer tires for the trailer. I am planning a trip to Montana this summer, and I know that the nylon tires are not terribly common any more; hence, I am trying to get situated for "unfortunate contingencies". I have little, if any, faith in radials(bad luck-thrown tread and wheel well damage), so nylon seems to be the lesser of two evils.
Walt Banta wbanta@lausd.net
Just for a note on the bolt patterns talked about , The 5 on 5 1/2 bolt
pattern is comonly found on older Ford Broncos and pickups ,older Jeep CJs
and Jeep 1/2 ton pickups and international harvester Scouts and travelalls .
The center hole can be larger ,as on the Scout and Jeeps .and smaller
on the travelalls and Fords .Ive never ran across this size on an airstream
trailer . The 6 bolt lug pattern with 12" brakes on vintage airstreams matches
chevy truck wheels ,and the early wheels with the hub cap clips.That being
said ,i would agree to buy NEW wheels for trailer service ,best way to go .
you never can be sure about an old wheel ,especially in single axle applications where the trailer weighs 4 to 5 thousand pounds ,two old wheels
that came off a truck that weighs 4000 pounds ,yet has 4 wheels supporting
the weight ,not two . somthing to think about when deciding on wheels .
Those are the measurements I got from Inland when I was shopping for new wheels to go with the new axel. I just told the wheel supply 5 on five and a half and they knew what I needed. They are 15 in wheels, by the way. I first mounted 235's on the wheels and guess what? Would not fit the wheel well. Then I went 225's and they fit. Do what Tom said...go new wheels.
Melody Ranch,
There seems to be a discrepancy in our wheels. Mine have the 4 1/2" pattern with 5 bolts. I am familiar with the 5 on 5 1/2" pattern; it is too large. I might well go with new wheels; however, I am still "casting about" for input and options. (I have ruled out radials - too many thrown treads/bad experiences)
Walt Banta
Just for a note on the bolt patterns talked about , The 5 on 5 1/2 bolt
pattern is comonly found on older Ford Broncos and pickups ,older Jeep CJs
and Jeep 1/2 ton pickups and international harvester Scouts and travelalls .
The center hole can be larger ,as on the Scout and Jeeps .and smaller
on the travelalls and Fords .Ive never ran across this size on an airstream
trailer . The 6 bolt lug pattern with 12" brakes on vintage airstreams matches
chevy truck wheels ,and the early wheels with the hub cap clips.That being
said ,i would agree to buy NEW wheels for trailer service ,best way to go .
you never can be sure about an old wheel ,especially in single axle applications where the trailer weighs 4 to 5 thousand pounds ,two old wheels
that came off a truck that weighs 4000 pounds ,yet has 4 wheels supporting
the weight ,not two . somthing to think about when deciding on wheels .
Scott of scottanlily
Scott,
Thanks for the input. I am familiar with 5 on 5 1/2" pattern wheels. I have International Scouts and older Jeeps that use this pattern. It is too large for the Airstream. The Caravel used a 4 1/2" pattern with five bolts(Eventually, I thought to look at an old 14" rim that I sat the trailer on when I was working on it.). I hear what you are saying about used rims. The two I presenly have on the trailer are original(I think). The "new rims" that several parties have "touted", including the dealer, are they "Thicker Steel" - are they "Better Made"? It has been my experience that so long as there is no compromising rust, no obvious splits/cracks/bends/tears, and no oblonged/woggled-out lug holes, the rim is all right. Am I missing something important?
Walt Banta
the spare is not a radial....not sure about the tires that were on the trailer. They had good tread, but the age is unclear to me. I don't really recommend using the old original steel wheels, but if you want them all, I believe the guy who put my new axel on still has the original wheels, tires, and baby moons (the moons are original and in near perfect condition)
I upgraded to new Henschen axel and new aluminum 6 bolt wheels....and like I say, I don't recommend staying with the original drivetrain....I'm a big fan of the Caravel, but I do believe that this particular equipment was under-designed. There are way too many recorded failures to ignore.
Give me a call at 707-775-5209 if you want to try to get any of the old parts and I will be happy to see if he will cough them up for free. He kept them to dispose of them for me so I don't think he will care.
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