Posted 2008-07-17 11:31 AM (#87609) Subject: Spacing on rims on 5200 lb torsion axles?
Veteran
Posts: 144 Location: Hickory Hills, IL
We have a 1999 Merhow trailer we just purchased. We have taken it to Iowa the day after we bought it, everything was fine. Last weekend we took it to Ohio for another mounted shooting event and got a flat tire. We didn't get to the arena until past Midnight, and I guess I drove with one flat for a while (still drove fine) as the tire is complete junk at this point. ON the way home we got another flat tire. Now the tires looked good for one pair and only OK for the other pair (OK tread, but no bald patches or anything). Well I decided to play it safe and order 4 new tires. Local places are an arm and a leg for ST tires, so I ordered them online. Now I find out that for $15 more a tire I can get new rims (price is $30 a tire w/ free installation), mounting here locally is $15 a tire cheapest place I can find. So I figure we will get new wheels too. As it is a 1999 there is some rust on the steel wheels.I checked everywhere and have been told the wheels on 5200 lb axles should be 6 on 5.5, so this is what I ordered. I checked online and even called Merhow without finding a definite answer. I want to make sure the wheels I ordered will fit my trailer! Help!PS- trailer is over an hour away right now and I can't just measure the rim.Thanks!~K
Posted 2008-07-17 12:03 PM (#87614 - in reply to #87609) Subject: RE: Spacing on rims on 5200 lb torsion axles?
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
Measure and order whatever's on your trailer now. If they are 15"x6", six lug wheels, then they are 5.5" spacing. What make tires are you getting with this "package deal"?
Posted 2008-07-17 2:33 PM (#87630 - in reply to #87609) Subject: RE: Spacing on rims on 5200 lb torsion axles?
Veteran
Posts: 144 Location: Hickory Hills, IL
They are 15" 6 lug wheels, I believe they are 6 on 5.5. I will verify tonight (I forgot I have one flat in the bed of my truck I can measure!). They are shipping out the wheel/tire package tomorrow.The tires are Towmaster II ST225/75D15 (exact same tires on trailer now, just 6 years newer!). Wheels are unknown brand but they told me are trailer rims with "E" rating.Tires are imports, and cheap- with rim and shipping they are $88 each from E(vil)-Bay.Cheapest place I found locally with these same tires are $92 each installed, and that was on my old rims. If I went that route I wanted to wire brush them and paint them. This is both cheaper and easier.
Posted 2008-07-20 1:13 PM (#87757 - in reply to #87609) Subject: RE: Spacing on rims on 5200 lb torsion axles?
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
As Paul says, take care of those tires. You may have saved some money up front, but in the long run you might have not made the best decision. What you have bought is barely adequate, and the long term durability will be suspect. We must all try to save on any unnecessary expenditures, but buying the cheapest tires is not the best way to save money.
If you can cancel your sale, I would highly recommend you do so. Clean and repaint your original wheels and install some well known, name brand tires that have a longer life span than cardboard. You don't need the expensive ST tires, many D or E range LT tires will do the job for you.
I know people who have bought these combination packages for boat trailers because of their pricing. Many trailer sales push them as loss leaders to entice their customers. The four owners that I know of have all replaced them again, with oem quality wheels and name brand tires. One owner had a major accident when his trailer pulled his car into the ditch after a blow out.
Each tire occupies only a few square inches of contact space on the road. You want the best tire you can find to provide the safety you need.
Posted 2008-07-21 9:19 AM (#87809 - in reply to #87609) Subject: RE: Spacing on rims on 5200 lb torsion axles?
Veteran
Posts: 144 Location: Hickory Hills, IL
I did a little research before I ordered (that and the tires I have are 6 years old or more and still show plenty of tread). The Towmaster II tires get pretty good reviews, actually much better than the crappy Goodyear ST tires. I have not read one good review of them or met anyone who bought them and was happy. Price doesn't always mean quality. I plan on replacing my tires every 4 years, these tires should be fine. I only think the one went flat due to a hard hit on a pot hole, the other was driven flat for who knows how long (2 hours from last stop to destination, was flat when we arrived, trailer still drove fine).Tires/wheels are to arrive tomorrow.~K
Spacing on rims on 5200 lb torsion axles?
