Does this OEM steelie exist?

In general, passenger car tires are a bad idea on a trailer. However, from what I'm reading, the exception is when a very light trailer is involved. To this end, I'd like to replace the 4.80x12 bias ply tires on my little camper with some passenger car 13" radials, in the 165-185mm range.

The bolt pattern is 5x4.5. It would be a whole lot easier to find appropriate steelies if it was 4-4, but it isn't. Offset won't matter horribly much, but ideally, it should be close to 0.

Scouring the junkyard and the interwebs, I can't find a whole lot of cars that came with 13's and five lugs.

Any ideas?

Try Arrow racing rims. Don't think you'll find an OEM wheel like that

You can buy trailer/wheels tires in 13"

Carry-On Trailer® Tire & Wheel Assembly, 13 in.

Martin Wheel 5 Hole Custom Spoke Trailer Wheel, 13 in.

Hi-Run Trailer Tire, ST175/80D13, LRC

EvanR wrote: Scouring the junkyard and the interwebs, I can't find a whole lot of cars that came with 13's and five lugs.

Late Corvairs (65+) came with 5 lug 13 inch rims. Bonus is Corvair parts are generally pretty cheap.

Marty Katz is a Corvair parts guy and he is in vegas, you might try contacting him:

http://www.vintagecorsa.com/Memberpages/MartyKatz.html

Yep, they exist as brand-new trailer wheels, and only about $25. But at the junkyard, a whole wheel and tire combo is $25. Just looking for a cheap solution. Grassroots, you might say :)

aircooled wrote:

EvanR wrote: Scouring the junkyard and the interwebs, I can't find a whole lot of cars that came with 13's and five lugs.

Late Corvairs (65+) came with 5 lug 13 inch rims. Bonus is Corvair parts are generally pretty cheap.

Good idea... but I'd bet that if Corvair is like most GM, it's 5-4.75"

I looked up the bolt pattern here: http://www.roadkillcustoms.com/hot-rods-rat-rods/Wheel-Bolt-Pattern-Cross-Reference-Database.asp#axzz2kSLKg96L and found a number cars that had 14" wheels but no 13" were listed.

EvanR wrote: Yep, they exist as brand-new trailer wheels, and only about $25. But at the junkyard, a whole wheel and tire combo is $25. Just looking for a cheap solution. Grassroots, you might say :)

Yep, I understand :)

1962 63 Falcon Sprint had 5X4.5" 13" inch rims & Econoline Vans Pickups

http://www.carnut.com/specs/gen/ford63.html

so why are car tyres a bad idea on a trailer?

5 X 4.5 inches = 5 X 114.3mm

There's a boat load of vehicles sporting these: http://www.roadkillcustoms.com/hot-rods-rat-rods/Wheel-Bolt-Pattern-Cross-Reference-Database.asp?LugCount=5&StudSpreadInch=4.5#axzz2kSR7dqNC

Northern Tool has brandy new 5 X 4.5 wheels with tires for $99, free shipping.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200330250_200330250

mad_machine wrote: so why are car tyres a bad idea on a trailer?

It has to do with the construction of the tire and usage. Probably less of an issue on small light trailers. Here is some info on it: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=219

ah.. so LT can be used along with ST. That is good to know. I was thinking of upgrading my boat's trailer to better axles and wheels and outfitting it with matching rims to my Landrover (or at least the steel version) so that when I drag it across the country, I do not need to worry about carrying a dedicated trailer spare

81cpcamaro wrote:

mad_machine wrote: so why are car tyres a bad idea on a trailer?

It has to do with the construction of the tire and usage. Probably less of an issue on small light trailers. Here is some info on it: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=219

i know people that run light truck tires on their car trailers because they last longer, wear better, and pull smoother than trailer tires. i also know people that put whatever used tires they find cheap when they need one- and you never find "cheap" used trailer tires..

considering the original mini uses bigger rims than my trailer... the tyres on it now are 6.90 - 9

914Driver wrote: Northern Tool has brandy new 5 X 4.5 wheels with tires for $99, free shipping. http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200330250_200330250

Yes, but those are bias-ply tires!

Ok, besides a 62-63 Ford Falcon Sprint, try a 63-66 Plymouth Valiant Barracuda Dodge Dart

EvanR wrote:

914Driver wrote: Northern Tool has brandy new 5 X 4.5 wheels with tires for $99, free shipping.

Yes, but those are bias-ply tires!

Scan the chart again; I stopped counting at 64 wheels that are 5 X 4.5 and hadn't hit Honda yet.