Help request on Wheels
 

Help request on Wheels not tires. Looking for info on the "steel" part, the wheel. The last owner replaced one tire and wheel. I don't believe that what he used is correct or safe. Any thoughts as to where I can get a correct replacement wheel for a 18ft single axle 1969 Traveler hilo. Look at the pic and notice the gap between the wheel and the axle. I'm not used to seeing a gap like this. I don't think it's safe, any thoughts on the safety issue??

As far as tires go, there is a lot of great info on this site and in the owners manual, just can't find anything on the wheels. Help please.

There are several Ford parts used in this hilo. Could the wheel be a Ford 5 lug wheel. Size can be taken off the "factory" one on the other side. So is the wheel Ford -- Chev -- special made for hilo or ??? Any info out there?

Later Tim

It looks like a trailer wheel to me. When I upsized my tires, I had to get new wheels (rims) that were 6" wide to fit the larger tires. (The OEM rims were 5"). I discovered there are slight variations in the stated size of the center hole, when looking at different rims. I suspect that one is just a bit big. The load is really carried by the lug bolts, so I doubt that it matters.

- Jack

I believe that trailer wheels are lug-centric. In other words, they are centered by the lug nuts. On this type of wheel there does not have to be a close fit between the hub and the wheel center.

Here's a link on wheel balancing that explains the wheel types:
Hub Centric Vs. Lug Centric

Info
 

Jack and Raul -- Thanks for the info and the nice link giving more info.
Myself I thought that it should always look like the following pic. Which I think is an original wheel on the axle. Notice how close the center hole is to the axle.
Trying to learn more.

Later Tim

Tim,

You may want to check a few things. Lug-centric steel wheels usually have coned or tapered lug nuts. See if yours has them. Also, you may want to remove an original wheel and the replacement and take a few measurements. Check the backspace, offset, width, etc: https://www.rsracing.com/tech-wheel.html. These dimensions should be the same on all wheels to avoid uneven tire wear and handling problems.

Tires And lift point help request.
 

Raul
Thank you for more info. All I can say at this point in time is that I have two mismatching tire wheel set ups.
Which I'll be working on this weekend. Might not fix it due to money but at least I hope to know more.

Where is the jack lift point on the 1969 Traveler 18ft single axle? See pic please. #1 or #2 or lift the body??

Later Tim & Nancy and dog that wants to go camping.

I'd put it under #1 in the second photo. With springs, you can't really get to the frame, and I'd stay away from the axle.

- Jack

Looking at those pics
 

I too would choose placing it under the shackel that slaves the leaf springs. My reasoning would be that it'll shift the weight load over a larger area.

Ditto on #1.

Wheels and Jacking
 

Here is my 2 cents. Hi-Lo tires have very close clearance with the trailer body and wheel well. I have had instances where I had to "jockey" the trailer up and down to get a tire on and off. In general I try to jack up under the frame somewhere letting the wheel sag a little for increased clearance. Of course my 17ft 2003 unit has the torsion type axles but it still is valid that clearances are close and you have to do some "fiddling" to get the tire on and off.

Great thing about Ho-Lo' is they are all different!

Axle sag
 

Axle sag is what worked for we the last wheel that I took off.

edward lansing
Thanks for your input on this.

About as many folks have ideas on this as to the amount of different style hilo's.

Later Tim & Nancy

Wheels
 

Just as a wheel supplier suggestion. etrailer.com was where I recently ordered boat trailer tires and wheels. Very helpful folks with lots of good info on web site. They were great to do business with.
Brad Moss

tires
 

Brad
Thanks for that input

Later Tim & Nancy

Wheel space
 

I just saw your post and I have just started painting my existing rims and realized that on my 2705 there is a coverthat fills in that hole and covers the end of the axle and the grease cap. It is just cosmetic but your space would be used. Just a thought!! Joe