Wheel Sizing/Center Bore Tolerance

[Siegmann]

I'm now shopping for wheels to upgrade to 16 inch tires. While those Sendels sure look real sharp, I'm considering trying to maintain my Classics traditional look with steel spoke wheels. While I have not made up my mind yet, the only wheels that I can find that fit and are silver painted (versus white), have a center bore of 4.28". Three hundreds of an inch bigger than the OEM wheels. I would not think that would be an issue. Any thoughts out there?

[tjdonahoe]

Steel will rust, steel are heavier, alumium is lighter, aluminum does not rust, tires will run cooler with alunium, you better see if a magnet sticks to your present wheels, I'll bet they are alumium....

[Siegmann]

Originally Posted by tjdonahoe

Steel will rust, steel are heavier, alumium is lighter, aluminum does not rust, tires will run cooler with alunium, you better see if a magnet sticks to your present wheels, I'll bet they are alumium....

My original wheels are steel. Only very minor superficial rust. Must have been a good factory paint job. Someone once posted the weight difference, and it was surprisingly small. I think the aluminum must be much beefier to equal the strength of the steel. Don't know about the tires running cooler. I guess in theory; the aluminum is a better conductor of heat. But there is so little contact area... anyone else have thoughts on this?

[J. Morgan]

I dont think that .03 is going to make much difference, that is like a coat of paint.

Steel wheels have been on my trailer for for about 44 years.... I think they came with the trailer new.

I painted them a couple years back, but they were not overly rusty or heavy.

When they need it, they can be repainted.

Beyond this, I don't think my wheels are hub piloted anyway.


Talis gentium ceciderunt.

[J. Morgan]

I don't know, I kind like not being trendy.




Talis gentium ceciderunt.

[Siegmann]

Originally Posted by J. Morgan

I dont think that .03 is going to make much difference, that is like a coat of paint.

Steel wheels have been on my trailer for for about 44 years.... I think they came with the trailer new.

I painted them a couple years back, but they were not overly rusty or heavy.

When they need it, they can be repainted.

Beyond this, I don't think my wheels are hub piloted anyway.


Talis gentium ceciderunt.

Yup, I like my original steel wheels too. But this forum has got me nervous enough about ST tires that I want to upgrade to 16" LT tires.

Thanks for the feedback.

[J. Morgan]

I ran a set of ST tires on my trailer for a while. I did not like how quickly they wore out so I replaced them with a set of 15" LT tires with 2040 lb weight ratings.

They wear much better.


Talis gentium ceciderunt.

[xrvr]

Correct size 16 inch steel wheels can be purchased from etrailer for about 70 dollars a piece.

[Siegmann]

Originally Posted by avionstream

Correct size 16 inch steel wheels can be purchased from etrailer for about 70 dollars a piece.

But last time I checked they were only available in white, for a 4.25" center bore. I could paint them silver, but I think factory paint would be far more durable. To get them from the factory in silver, would mean accepting the 4.28" center bore.

[TomKirk]

0.03" is close enough for occasional farm work (or maybe for use as a spare). But for extended highway travel, you want center holes on your wheels that fit snugly, as intended.

Remember, it's the all-important center hole that supports the weight of your trailer, not the lug nuts.

Tom

[J. Morgan]

Not all wheels are hub piloted. In fact a great many wheels are not, including my stock Airstream wheels.


Talis gentium ceciderunt.

[J. Morgan]

Beyond this, the stock hub piloted wheels I took a quick sample of just now allowed a .030 feeler gauge to easily pass into the gap between the hub and wheel. (2 for 2)




Talis gentium ceciderunt.

[Hans Grim]

[QUOTE=J. Morgan;1755677]I don't know, I kind like not being trendy.

That is a great look IMO.

[JCWDCW]

Lug nuts hold the wheel centered IMO. Air Stream SS hub caps are loose by at least 30 thou. and the wheel holds them in place after the nuts are tightened. Some of my automotive wheels need to be pounded on and off ( usually the front hub) and my truck wheels slip on an off easily so the lug nuts must be doing the whole job. That's why they are conical
JCW

[J. Morgan]

As a rule, (there are exceptions), lug nuts that have a taper hold on stud piloted wheels, and lug nuts that are flat at the point of wheel engagement hold on hub piloted wheels.


Talis gentium ceciderunt.

[Siegmann]

Originally Posted by J. Morgan

As a rule, (there are exceptions), lug nuts that have a taper hold on stud piloted wheels, and lug nuts that are flat at the point of wheel engagement hold on hub piloted wheels.


Talis gentium ceciderunt.

I was getting ready to ask about that. Thanks for posting the answer.

[CapriRacer]

My experience says that:

1) Cars and light trucks use hub piloting to center the wheels. I know of no exceptions. (OK, I'll grant that aftermarket wheels aren't always hub piloted, but the car manufacturers ALL do hub piloting.)

2) There are enough cars and trucks using tapered lug nuts AND hub piloting that I don't think anyone can make a rule about the lugs vs wheel centering.

3) The reason cars and trucks use hub piloting is that stud piloting isn't as good - too many things to go wrong with stud piloting.

[xrvr]

So are trailer wheels all the same type. .? If the spacing of the lugs is the same and the offset is correct? Same number of lugs. 5.5 inch 6 lugs zero offset.

[J. Morgan]

Does this mean that you are against aftermarket replacement wheels that are not hub piloted?

Originally Posted by CapriRacer

My experience says that:

1) Cars and light trucks use hub piloting to center the wheels. I know of no exceptions. (OK, I'll grant that aftermarket wheels aren't always hub piloted, but the car manufacturers ALL do hub piloting.)

2) There are enough cars and trucks using tapered lug nuts AND hub piloting that I don't think anyone can make a rule about the lugs vs wheel centering.

3) The reason cars and trucks use hub piloting is that stud piloting isn't as good - too many things to go wrong with stud piloting.

Talis gentium ceciderunt.

[Siegmann]

So now I am confused. Does anyone know if the Airstream OEM wheels are lug piloted on the 1990's and up rigs that have tapered lug nuts?