14.5" rims to fit regular trailer axles?

[Verticaltrx]

I'm getting ready to put a new set of axles under my old 18' 4-ton lowboy trailer and would like to stick with the 8-14.5" mobile home type tires. I like that they are short, but have a huge load rating. The new DOT approved ones are load range F and carry over 2800lbs per tire, making it ideal for a trailer like this.

My dilemma is that I want to use regular 3500lb trailer axles which of course use a standard 5-lug wheel instead of the bud-type wheels that originally came on the trailer. So, does anyone make a 14.5" wheel with a 5 on 4.5" bolt circle? If not does anyone make a bud-type hub that fits on a 3500lb Dexter axle spindle? I believe that Dexter does still make a DOT legal 4000lb axle with bud type wheels but I'm sure it's not cheap. Also I already have a set of 3500lb axles from another project, so I would like to use them if possible. Thanks for any input.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I have never seen that combo. Why would you want to use these problematic tires with that high of a load rating when you will be limited by the axles at 3,500#?

Chris

 

[Verticaltrx]

What is problematic about 8-14.5 tires? The ones that were on the trailer provided nearly 30 years of dependable service, very tough tires IMO.

Mostly I am just wanting to keep the overall height of the trailer low, and the tires that are in the 1750-lb load range are a bit taller and not as sturdy. I realize I will never come close to using the capacity of the tires, but from other experiences with trailers I have found that the best tires you can get are worth the money. I've seen lots of blowouts on 7000 to 10000lb trailers due to the cheap tires many of them come with. Also, I can get the 8-14.5 tires pretty cheap (even the DOT legal ones.)

 

[Gale Hawkins]

What is problematic about 8-14.5 tires? The ones that were on the trailer provided nearly 30 years of dependable service, very tough tires IMO.

Mostly I am just wanting to keep the overall height of the trailer low, and the tires that are in the 1750-lb load range are a bit taller and not as sturdy. I realize I will never come close to using the capacity of the tires, but from other experiences with trailers I have found that the best tires you can get are worth the money. I've seen lots of blowouts on 7000 to 10000lb trailers due to the cheap tires many of them come with. Also, I can get the 8-14.5 tires pretty cheap (even the DOT legal ones.)

Nothing that I know about. A mobile home set up man just sold me some new like 8-14.5 LT with F load ratings already mounted. At 100 PSI they are rated to carry 2835 pounds each. They are Green Ball's and some perfer them over other China tires.

7 new like (stamped 2007) mounted tires for under $300 for the old equipment trailer (has 7.00 dry rotted tires now) was hard to pass up.

25 foot bed trailers are needed to legally boom down some backhoes, etc so I may keep the trailer for the "just and case" kind of things.

The guy told me trailers were selling well but he may have just been wanting to move some new trailer pulls.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Big issue with MH tires around here is availability. Tough to find on a Saturday when transporting a load and have 3 let go in a 60 mile run. I also hate changing them and getting them running true.

I used to pull a few trailers with them but now refuse to do so for the above reasons. Another issue is around here MH tires and axles are illegal. Many have been busted with them. Now I understand the new stuff says DOT approved but the stuff I ran said MH used only and also had a manufactures life limit.

Chris

 

[atgreene]

I run 8 x 14.5 on one trailer, 7's on another. Nothing wrong with them. Buy the right tire, easy to get, they hold up well. Stay away from the 2 ply mobile home tires and the mobile home axles. Buy the real deal you'll be fine.

 

[brokenot]

Those 14.5 tires sound like the way to go!

They're cheaper to buy.

They have a huuuge load rating.

Makes you wonder how they do it....

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Those 14.5 tires sound like the way to go!

They're cheaper to buy.

They have a huuuge load rating.

Makes you wonder how they do it....

They claim nylon I think?

For under $100 you can even get a Load Rating of G. One of the links stated Bias tires cost less to build. New our F's are about $70 each.

 

[Skyco]

Another issue is around here MH tires and axles are illegal. Many have been busted with them. Now I understand the new stuff says DOT approved but the stuff I ran said MH used only and also had a manufactures life limit.

Chris

My understanding is they are illegal everywhere except for mobile home use, it is a federal DOT thing. If it does say DOT approved on the tire then they are legal.

 

[Skyco]

Those 14.5 tires sound like the way to go!

They're cheaper to buy.

They have a huuuge load rating.

Makes you wonder how they do it....

I was read somewhere once mobile home running gear and tires especially were designed for 300 miles of use max.

Judging by the huge number of MHs I see on the side of the road changing blown tires- I wouldn't put much faith in them!