Visit our Popular Forums

Sandydog1 · 05-08-2021, 07:29 AM

Looking to replace 15 inch five on 5 1/2 lug rims for whatever works on my Airstream desperately seeking help PJW 315@verizon.net

Bubba L · 05-08-2021, 08:30 AM

ST 225 75R15 Goodyear Endurance is what we have on both our trailers. The last set I bought I told the guy I wanted the most recent set manufactured and he accommodated. Good luck

57Vintage · 05-08-2021, 08:48 AM

Here's a list of vehicles that used the 5X5.5 bolt pattern if your looking for used wheels.

https://www.roadkillcustoms.com/whee...5x5.50-inches/

If you want new just google "15" wheels with 5X5.5 bolt pattern"

Make sure you match for stud size and back spacing.

I assume your getting rid of the split rims it came with.

ALUMINUMINUM · 05-08-2021, 12:26 PM

Hi There,

In addition to 5.5x5 boltcircle, you want to indicate center-hole diameter, rim width, rim diameter, and offset from centerline. You can calculate your offset by measuring your existing wheel’s rim width and backspace dimension if they are original to the trailer. Most common trailer offset is “zero”, not so for most automobile wheels. It's possible that stud/lugnut diameter will play too and that'll be 7/16 or 1/2 inch.

Trailer wheels are usually rated for heavier loads than car wheels, so that might matter to you.

You’ll also want to know if you require “hub-centric” or “lug-centric” wheels.

And…. decide how your hubcap attaches, with vintage "clips" style or the newer "nubs" style. These hubcap mounting methods are not interchangeable. Some wheels have no provision for baby moon caps and only accept full wheel covers. I'd guess "clips" is period correct to 1957.

The world wide web will explain all this measuring in detail

Best

ken.bauman · 05-10-2021, 02:25 PM

I have a set of Alcoa Aluminum 15” rims from my 2004 30’ Classic. If interested let me know

guskmg · 05-10-2021, 11:20 PM

ken.bauman: Contact Kevin At Airstream Service. Airstream bought mine as they need them to replace an occasional damaged wheel. New wheels are no longer available. When I went to 16" Michelins they asked me for them.
guskmg

ALUMINUMINUM · 05-11-2021, 04:59 AM

QUOTE.... "Looking to replace 15 inch five on 5 1/2 lug rims"

The OP is asking for an uncommon size wheel for his airstream. We don't know if he has an uncommon axle or modification to his 1957 trailer.

The only airstream five lug wheels I'm aware of were mid sixties on small trailers like Caravel.

The typical airstream six lug wheel that most all of us have on our airstreams is not what he asked for.

If he doesn't want restoration quality original looking, period correct airstream wheels, he can buy white spoke five lug 15" zero offset lug-centric doofus wheels about anywhere including tractor supply and walmart.

ALUMINUMINUM · 05-11-2021, 08:07 AM

The OP has a concurrently running post asking help to replace his split-rims. And again, five-bolt.

https://www.airforums.com/forums/f48...es-222564.html

Maybe 1957 bolt circle pre-dates the most common vintage steel six lug “chevy truck wheel”. Any historians to clarify?

Late sixties airstream brochures tout their “Heavy Duty Truck Wheels" in their advertisement. I have a 1968 Chevy K10 Suburban with its original wheels that are absolutely identical to my airstream 15” six-lugs in every measurement, including zero offset, weight, and weld pattern. Neither say Kelsey-Hayes, but that’s what they are known to be.

If OP is desperate, maybe switch or drill drums to the most common six lugbolt pattern. Then have options from junkyards to Centerline Auto-Drags.

The OP hasn’t responded in a few days to either of his posts, so perhaps he is no longer desperate??

Pretty cool that the rivet spacing on Centerline Auto-Drags matches vintage airstream shell.

Pictured first is a six lug airstream wheel from the sixties that has "clips" to hold the somewhat rare and expensive today, older style ribbed edge baby moon hubcap.

The second image, mounted on 68 trailer is a seventies airstream steel wheel with "nubs" holding a jc whitney baby moon (so old, it's labeled "Made in Japan"). It appears that airstream never offered a moon cap for this later "nub" style wheel, It had a "full" wheel cover.