Trailer tires

[WayneT]

Not long ago... or is it already? Anyways, I have a utility trailer rim and tire question.

They used to be 14-15" tires that were dime a dozen. They had the 5 x 4.5" bolt pattern, a Dodge bolt pattern? Now lots of cars n trucks have 16-17-18" tires and rims.

Does anybody know what junkyard takeoffs nowadays would fit the above bolt pattern?

 

[da.bees]

4.5x5 pattern isn't hard to find but most everything in last 20 years has too much offset to work on trailers. 14" and 15" are a thing of the past so if a 16" will fit under fenders that's the way to go. Ford/Limcoln/Mercury from 2003 and back has the right pattern and offset.

 

[Hoenes]

Not long ago... or is it already? Anyways, I have a utility trailer rim and tire question.

They used to be 14-15" tires that were dime a dozen. They had the 5 x 4.5" bolt pattern, a Dodge bolt pattern? Now lots of cars n trucks have 16-17-18" tires and rims.

Does anybody know what junkyard takeoffs nowadays would fit the above bolt pattern?

S - 10 pickup rims fit my trailer, but I think they are 5 x 5". Google AI says a lot of jeeps used 5 x 4.5.

 

[560Dennis]

I balance the wheels/st 15 tires . They argue with me but I get them to do it . It improves mileage on the 2003 2500 dodge . I Keep track of the fuel cost for a 250 mile trip Twice, was loaded 12 k Gcwr on same roads.
Running Gmc 1500 on it now no issues on 2550 mile trip 7000 lbs axles.

 

[WayneT]

4.5x5 pattern isn't hard to find but most everything in last 20 years has too much offset to work on trailers. 14" and 15" are a thing of the past so if a 16" will fit under fenders that's the way to go. Ford/Limcoln/Mercury from 2003 and back has the right pattern and offset.

That's what I'm thinking. Time to upgrade. I'm working on the trailer anyways so I'll move or redo fenders if need be.

 

[used red MN]

I balance the wheels/st 15 tires . They argue with me but I get them to do it . It improves mileage on the 2003 2500 dodge . I Keep track of the fuel cost for a 250 mile trip Twice, was loaded 12 k Gcwr on same roads.
Running Gmc 1500 on it now no issues on 2550 mile trip 7000 lbs axles.

So you are telling us you have your trailer tires balanced because you say it gives you better fuel milage?? You’re going to have to debunk this theory for us. I am sure that a balanced item requires less energy to keep it rotating, however the difference I’m sure is pretty minimal in this case. The problem is with all the variables that can affect fuel mileage you would have a difficult time getting me to believe you could measure or track the difference. There are several other reasons why balancing trailer tires is a good idea, reducing suspension wear is probably at the top of the list. I doubt better fuel mileage makes that list. If this is correct you should take up marketing tire balancers for semi trailers. It appears to me there is a lot of money to be made in that area.

 

[Mule Meat]

List of Jeep 5 - 4.5"

Forgot to add.. Don't forget the center bore when looking at different wheels.

 

[jon f mn]

Ford mustang and suvs fit and I use them when building trailers. Some others do as well. The mustang has to be the higher performance as the small engine ones use 4 bolt rims.

 

[mechanicfred]

70's Ford cars

 

[Scott 730]

Ford, Chrysler, and AMC all used 5 x 4.5 wheels at one point or another.

 

[Texasmark]

That's what I'm thinking. Time to upgrade. I'm working on the trailer anyways so I'll move or redo fenders if need be.

On things disappearing, back in 1966-68 timeline (as I recall) the same lack of product occurred for trying to find used tires to fit your trailers. The 14" being shorter and wider took over the used tire market....BTDT.

 

[da.bees]

So you are telling us you have your trailer tires balanced because you say it gives you better fuel milage?? You’re going to have to debunk this theory for us. I am sure that a balanced item requires less energy to keep it rotating, however the difference I’m sure is pretty minimal in this case. The problem is with all the variables that can affect fuel mileage you would have a difficult time getting me to believe you could measure or track the difference. There are several other reasons why balancing trailer tires is a good idea, reducing suspension wear is probably at the top of the list. I doubt better fuel mileage makes that list. If this is correct you should take up marketing tire balancers for semi trailers. It appears to me there is a lot of money to be made in that area.

Oh you must have misunderstood. He's saying wheel balancing helps with lug pattern, better fuel milage is just a bonus,,,,,,,I think,,,,,,or maybe not.

 

[BarnyardEngineering]

You're simply not going to find what you're looking for. At least not without spending a LOT of money on custom wheels.

There are two problems in addition to the offset issue above.
1. Bolt patterns and lugs are now all metric. Nothing is "close enough" to 5x4.5 to work, and even if you do find one that you think is close enough, the lug nuts won't fit the trailer hubs.
2. Pickup trucks have used a 6-bolt pattern for the past 25 years. All you will be able to find in a 5-lug are car rims, which don't have the weight rating.

There are very few steel rims anymore. Most are "alloy" of some sort, aluminum or magnesium. If you don't use the correct lug nuts with them, they will crack out and fail on you. They are also not going to hold up to being loaded down with 7000lbs and twisted sideways around turns when they started life on a Honda Civic.

I've got a "cash and carry" tire guy who sells brand new fresh trailer tires on rims for what normal tire dealers sell just tires. When my tires get 5-6 years old, I just swap in a new set. Beats having to hunt down old truck tires every 2-3 years and go through the work of changing them manually.

 

[Texasmark]

Ford mustang and suvs fit and I use them when building trailers. Some others do as well. The mustang has to be the higher performance as the small engine ones use 4 bolt rims.

Yeah since you are talking about a glorified Ford Falcon. Friend of mine bought a 1960, the year they came out, a 2 door, 3 on the tree original smaller cu. in 6. A really fine car to meet that market. Had little 13" tires on it....and they may have been 4 lug, never saw one with the hub cap off.