Thread: Disco 2 alloys on camper trailer

Hi all,

I am considering having a camper trailer built. I want to match my existing alloys on the car to the trailer.

I have read threads by Redback and LandyAndy and found the their info very informative.

I would like to run electric brakes but I am being told that if I venture down this path I will have to cut the alloys to suite the the hubs. This to me is defeating the whole purpose of the exercise. ie to to have all wheels interchangeable.

Has anyone successfully done this with electric brakes.

All comments more than welcome. I am here to learn.

Dave.

Originally Posted by PhilipA

PS, Last year I drove over 20KKMwith my camper trailer using RRC mags not located by the centre spindle of the trailer with NO problems including many outback corrugated tracks.
Regard sPhilip A

As have many others.

I setup an Aussie Swag in 2002 with D2 wheels - I say I set it up because at the time both Aussie Swag and their supplier (AL-KO) said it couldn't be done, so I did the leg work and dropped off completed hubs. That trailer's wheels are not located by the center hub (fitted in the same manner as LandyAndy has shown - except they were machined) and it's now crossed and been around the country several times. The wheel nuts have never been loose and it is still running the original bearings which tells me that balance and vibration really are not an issue...

However I will add that in the tens of thousands of km that the retired owners (currently in Eyre SA) have travelled since 2002 they have never needed to alternate the tyres between trailer and car. In fact they have not used more than one spare at a time on a trip - a flat is always repaired or replaced at the next town so to date the 2nd and 3rd spare have not come out. Although this record would have something to do with driver habits...

I’m also thinking of issues like replacement hubs or wheels. Couple years ago we helped a couple with a trailer just outside Morven (SW Qld) that had completely destroyed the trailer rim’s outer bead (hit a deep hole when he moved off the tarmac to allow a road train travelling the other direction through- highway was still one lane of tar in places). Now he changed to his spare and continued on to Longreach where he purchased, off the shelf a new tojo sunraiser rim for bugger all. I don’t think the local tyre shops out there will be able to help you with “Have you got a D2 alloy with the center machined out to replace my trashed trailer rim?”. Remember the spare on the back of the Disco won’t fit the trailer because it hasn’t had the guts cut out of it.... Think about it - if you are having trouble getting parts for a build how will you get spares in the bush?

I also remember a Jayco Eagle that sat in a NSW dealer for over 6 months because they couldn’t sell it – it had D2 alloys on it and unfortunately the only people who would look at it is us D2 owners (limiting the market), why buy it when there are heaps available with standard running gear.

So it is worth thinking about your intended use and all the +s and –s: is it worth the extra trouble and cost to get matching wheels? For me it definitely isn't...