Wheel Spacers On Trailer

[Battler]

I've just changed my trailer hubs to commodore pattern to match the D2. I've tried to fit 265x75 16 tyre on commodore wheels but they rub on the rail. Rather than getting a new longer axle would wheel spacers be okay? Only needs about 10mm. Or would it put too much pressure on the studs? Max weight is around 600kg.

Cheers

[Mick_Marsh]

This has been discussed elsewhere on the forum I think. Have a browse.
I think it was ok for trailers.

I was at a swapmeet the other day and saw some spacers for sale. They are also readily available on ebay.
TFI 5 Stud Wheel Spacers - 8mm, Pair - Supercheap Auto Australia (http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/online-store/products/TFI-5-Stud-Wheel-Spacers-8mm-Pair.aspx?pid=SPO2058120&menuFrom=51003#Recommendations)

[Graeme]

Would the studs still be long enough to have the nuts engage legally, being at least the same thread length as the stud diameter? eg 14mm engagement for 14mm dia stud

[Battler]

Thanks Mick, I did do a search but I couldn't find anything.

I'll try again.

Cheers

[Battler]

Would the studs still be long enough to have the nuts engage legally, being at least the same thread length as the stud diameter? eg 14mm engagement for 14mm dia stud

Easily Graeme, the studs are about 40mm long and I'm using commodore police pursuit steel wheels.

Thanks

[Lotz-A-Landies]

The problem of wheel spacers on a car or trailer is that it shifts the centre of the load outboard creating a negative offset and therefore on the smaller outer bearing of a Falcon or Holden stub axle. Holden stub axles already have a reputation of snapping and spacers can only make the potential more likely.

On a vehicle (and I assume this includes trailers) spacers are illegal in Australia unless fitted by the manufacturer. Porsche wheel spacers O.K. Land Rover wheel spacers not O.K. So unless you are the manufacturer of your trailer my take is that they are illegal.

BTW: Are you using standard Commodore hubs (i.e. off a Commodore) or are you using AlKo trailer hubs? The reason is that the AlKo hubs often have the wheel face further out (negative offset relative to the OEM hubs) because they are designed to match their electric brake hub/drums.

[Homestar]

Just do it, you'll be fine IMO. I made 12mm spacers for my Sankey trailer so I could fit new tyres of the style I wanted. The spacing consisted of 4 parts on mine - longer studs, the spacer plate and also another plate so the spigot still stuck out far enough engage the wheel, and the longer bolts for this. I did post some pictures up somewhere - I'll go find them if I can.

Oh, and my trailer has a 750Kg payload and can gross 1,150Kg all up. I've done thousands of KM with it, sometimes with a decent load in it without issues. Yes, you do technically increase loadings in places (by a knats nut), but personally I don't think many people would often load their trailers to a point where this would be an issue. It also gives to you slightly (by a knats nut) more stability due to the track being increased. The bearings and design of this style of hub are much stronger mind you than Falcon or Holden offerings mind you...

EDIT - pics below. Spacers are made from 12mm steel plate. I was lucky enough to have free use of a CNC plasma cutter at the time, a very handy bit of kit... :)

The bits - showing the longer studs and bolts compared to the old ones.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/02/656.jpg (http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Bacicat2000/media/3179DBE9-31C7-4F4A-B9C6-6A75E33A5E04-8184-00000A244866BA37_zps78c14240.jpg.html)

Sitting in position - you can see both spacers here.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/02/657.jpg (http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Bacicat2000/media/D727B7EA-7970-4A61-8073-CA930660206D-8184-00000A2473032CF4_zpsfe2ab34c.jpg.html)

All together -
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/02/658.jpg (http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Bacicat2000/media/9F9CAEA0-38F7-4208-A53F-50FC092BD4E0-8184-00000A245BA89269_zpsda604df8.jpg.html)

Now I'll sit back and wait for the flaming... :D

[Battler]

BTW: Are you using standard Commodore hubs (i.e. off a Commodore) or are you using AlKo trailer hubs? The reason is that the AlKo hubs often have the wheel face further out (negative offset relative to the OEM hubs) because they are designed to match their electric brake hub/drums.

Thanks Lotz-A-landies, I bought the hubs from my local trailer shop. They are commodore pattern with Ford bearings. Curiously the studs are 7/16.

I get what you are saying about the moving the centre of load. But with a maximum total load of about 600kg would it be unsafe?

The trailer is registered as home built so I am the manufacturer.

[Battler]

Thanks bacicat, Great job! But as you say those are more substantial than my $70 (for the pair) hubs.

And I'm also putting on a much heavy wheel tyre combination than was previously on the hub.

[MR LR]

Trailer axles are cheap as chips, order a longer one.

[Battler]

Trailer axles are cheap as chips, order a longer one.

Not so cheap Mr LR as it's a 2" drop axle, about $300 for a longer one. Although I think for piece of mind...

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Just do it, you'll be fine IMO. <snip>

EDIT - pics below. Spacers are made from 12mm steel plate. I was lucky enough to have free use of a CNC plasma cutter at the time, a very handy bit of kit... :)

The bits - showing the longer studs and bolts compared to the old ones.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/02/656.jpg (http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Bacicat2000/media/3179DBE9-31C7-4F4A-B9C6-6A75E33A5E04-8184-00000A244866BA37_zps78c14240.jpg.html)

Sitting in position - you can see both spacers here.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/02/657.jpg (http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Bacicat2000/media/D727B7EA-7970-4A61-8073-CA930660206D-8184-00000A2473032CF4_zpsfe2ab34c.jpg.html)

All together -
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/02/658.jpg (http://s1086.photobucket.com/user/Bacicat2000/media/9F9CAEA0-38F7-4208-A53F-50FC092BD4E0-8184-00000A245BA89269_zpsda604df8.jpg.html)

Now I'll sit back and wait for the flaming... :DYou should have just fitted 1 Ton rims (Rover part 569204)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/02/640.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/06/268.jpg

Note that trailer mudguards wider than the originals.

[Homestar]

You should have just fitted 1 Ton rims (Rover part 569204)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/02/640.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/06/268.jpg

Note that trailer mudguards wider than the originals.

You could have told me that 3 years ago... :D

[Lotz-A-Landies]

You could have told me that 3 years ago... :DThey've been on there since 2009!

But I haven't taken "Mary Austin" to the Swim-In since I got the Haulmark Pt1-1.2 in 2012, so you may not have seen them. :)

[Homestar]

They've been on there since 2009!

But I haven't taken "Mary Austin" to the Swim-In since I got the Haulmark Pt1-1.2 in 2012, so you may not have seen them. :)

What are you bringing down this year? :)

[Lotz-A-Landies]

What are you bringing down this year? :)I may not even come down. I've been restructured out of a job and also have to find a new home for the toys and move them within the next 35 days.

[MR LR]

I may not even come down. I've been restructured out of a job and also have to find a new home for the toys and move them within the next 35 days.
Donations are greatly appreciated... :D :D :D

But seriously... I have a car trailer...

[Homestar]

I may not even come down. I've been restructured out of a job and also have to find a new home for the toys and move them within the next 35 days.

Bugger. :(

Sorry to hear that on both counts...

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Donations are greatly appreciated... :D :D :D

But seriously... I have a car trailer...I may need that this week, need to get one of the late Bobslandies RRc off the property on Friday so the estate can be sold.