Thread: D3 Rims on a Boat Trailer

OK enough talk... I have ordered the bits but not as I expected.

Couple-Mate Trailer Parts Pty Ltd
Unit 1 / 136 Glenora Street,
Wynnum. 4178.
Brisbane. Queensland.Australia
Tel : 07 3348 3822
Fax : 07-3348-2939 or 07 3348 5629

Hubs with PCD 5 120.
Studs special fit 14 1.5 they organized it.
2004 Commodore rear rotors - which needs to be drilled to fit 14mm. Repco just around the corner and on special at the time of asking so a bit of luck here.

The boss was still too long even at 35mm but only just. Rather than grind or machine it, I took the spacer option.
The rotor is about 7mm thick where it fits against the flange and is the spacer you have when you don't have a spacer.
The late model commodore rotor (2006+) is vented even on the rear and although it takes 14 1.4 threaded studs, the holes are too large and apparently shifting brake rotors are evil and worse still, the brake calipers for trailers will not open wide enough for a vented rotor. Hence the circa 2004 commodore rotor which is still PCD 5 120, single layer and the last pre metric version so needing a drill to the knurl diameter.
There were two options with the studs and one would fit with knurl however the longer with a extra knurl length will centre the redrilled rotors.

So it will will be ready in a week for picking up and this thread should have some pictures.

Talk soon.

First a few "before" shots...

The is a custom trailer designed and built by Special Trailers at Brendale in 1994. It has done the Kimberly including the Gibb River Road, Bathurst bay at the Cape as well as Moreton Island, Stradie and various dams, bays and waterways in between.


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The red tinge is the red bull dust from the Gibb River Road 18 years ago. Nothing has been able to clean it off. It seems to have etched into the gal. Yes I know that is scientifically implausible but scrub, high pressure hoses, industrial detergents and many drives through heavy rain at highway speeds has not dislodged it.

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Second set of rims since new. Salt water is not good to steel.
Tyres were pre-loved when installed and still have most their tread.

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18 years old and ready for a makeover.

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This is an excellent place for a spare on any trailer that is not submersible. This spare position allows the water to pool and it is hard to clean off and dry out.

The dark tinge is lanolin which is awesome and makes it look grungy.

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It looks worse than it is. The springs seem to rust the fastest. This is the second set.
The axle is 50 mm and will outlast me.

I can't use the axle with the RRS rims as the hubs are massive and there is no legal solution to this issue in Aus that I can work out. I use Penetrol and tar paint and it needs another coat or three.

The U bolts and plates are cactus. They ended up getting the cutting wheel treatment.

Then there is the makeover...

Rub down with the wire wheel, a turps rag and a lick of Kill Rust.

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Now the hub, rotor and axle assembled....

I left the wheel nuts on for some to show the length of the threads are suitable.

The bearing cup fits through without modifying the rim.

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This is what the finished hub and rim looks Like...

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Painted the rotor with killrust and then a coat of lanolin.

The axle has been coated in Penetrol a couple of times so far and maybe a few to go.

I am thinking a new set of springs are due in the near future as well.

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The Trailer with its new wheels.

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Success at last!

The next projects include:

1. Shock Absorbers - as the original ones are really short and not made anymore.
2. Move the spare tyre.
3. Fit a roof rack.

And now the "After" photo with the boat repainted as well.

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