I bought a new trailer this week, 2 3500 lb. axles. The white spoke wheels, Made in China, have a 3 1/4" center hole, while the hubs are 2 1/2" diameter. I haven't towed a load yet, or felt any problem. I just wondered if this is normal or did I get the wrong wheels, or maybe just not the best wheels?
The lug nuts are conical @ 45 degrees, but the wheels are fairly flat surfaced and the cone on the lug nut catches about 1/16" of wheel. Thoughts?
Do the lugs appear to center themselves in the lug holes in the wheels? If they do, I would try to get some miles on the trailer and re-torque the lug nuts according to the specs you got. If they don't go back to the dealer and ask if they will replace the wheels with ones that will be concentric.
For my trailer, I had to re-torque the lugs (100 ft-lbs) at 25 miles, 50 miles and again at 100 miles). Once you go thru the re-torquing procedures, check the lugs again to see if they are contacting the wheel completely around the holes.
With many trailer wheel makers,they might have a single wheel to fit a variety of trailer axle hubs. Chinese wheels (and tires!) aren't the best in the world so if you are going to load the trailer to it's maximum weight and tow extended distances, it may be worth looking into better quality wheels and tires.
American Racing makes a nice set of alloy trailer wheels that may provide a bit more of a "warm fuzzy feeling" once you start towing the trailer when it's loaded.
I took some time this morning to look at some other trailers. I did a little research last night on-line too. It seems that lug-centric is the way of the world. Only big trucks have flat wheels and hub centric wheels. I will do the re-torque routine, probably before and during every trip with " my baby." The lug nuts were centering fine- it's just that only the very tip was making contact, probably the norm. I'm used to a 45 flare fitting that has a good size seating area. The Chinese wheels may get replaced. My buddys would say, " Just drive it hard and don't look back." I tend to be overly cautious. It makes my life less anxious.
Corvette Store
Trailer wheels- hub or lug centric?
