Trailer rims on a car??

I just put disc brakes on my convertible and naturally the old rims hit the calipers (I expected no less) - so I am on the hunt for some rims.
At the last swap meet I spotted a trailer rim and it got me to thinking - right size , B.C. even looks like it would accept a hub cap - so I start to think - as a sort of "stop gap" is there any danger in running a trailer rim on your car??? One buddy reccomended AGAINST it - said it wouldn't be strong enough - but honestly that makes no sense to me - loaded trailers weigh WAY more than my car. Eventually I need to build a trailer for my digger anyways - so I figured - why not.


Am I nuts??? I mean about this.

 

I'm not sure about trailer rims, but I had asked my buddies about trailer tires. Seems to me the rims would be stronger & most of the ones I see around, look just like a truck rim. I was wondering if you could run a trailer tire on a factory 16" rim, just straight blackwall. eveybody over here says it'll ride too harsh, too stiff. I dunno.

 

I'd say, go with it. If it seems unsafe to you, take it off, take it back w/you to the next swapmeet & sell it.

 

Trailer wheels will be plenty stout. Think about the enormous sideloads they see being pulled through a U-turn.

Yup, just fine.

 

Trailer rims and tires are designed to take tremendous side loading. Ever see how much stress is on them when a dual axle trailer makes a tight radius turn? The wheelbase is so short, that it really pulls on the tires and wheels as it turns. So, I'd say they are plenty strong enough!

 

Most trailer wheels and tires have a higher load range then the same size car tires. I see no reasone why you would have a problem running trailer wheels on your car.

Tires would also work, but they probably are 6 or 8 ply rating where a car tire would be a 4 ply rating. The trailer tire will have a stiffer sidewall and would ride stiffer then the same size car tire. Gene

 

do it don't be scared. it'll work just fine

 

Just how do you tell a trailer rim from a car/truck rim?

 

Not sure, 37kid.

 

I believe he's talking about ones like this, and they also have black ones that look more like Nascar wheels.

Thanks,
Kurt

 

...I've noticed some wheels on older U-haul trailers that remind me of early Ford steelies and have the nubs on the inside..I don't know what the bolt pattern is..Anyone else know ??

 

Wheels like the one Sgtlethargic posted are available in a couple different backspaces.
The wheels on my Haulmark 20' box trailer are 5 x 4 1/2" pattern and take a 15" tire.

Be careful with what appear to be 16" trailer wheels.
Probably not a problem nowadays, but I understand that 16 1/2" wheels - and tires - were used for some trailers in years past.