Forum Discussion

buzzard616's avatar
buzzard616
Explorer
May 01, 2016

Odd Wheel

When we bought the TT in the sig. it didn't have a spare. I rounded up another wheel and had five new tires installed. They are common 'modular' wheels like this...



I didn't notice until much later that my fifth rim has about 3/4 inch less offset than the rest. You actually have to look very closely to see it.

All five wheels get rotated every Spring and as far as I can see it has had no effect on tire wear, handling, or anything else and nobody else has spotted it.

I'm about to mount five new tires. Should I be concerned about the odd wheel?

Thanks

Stu

8 Replies

  • RJsfishin's avatar
    RJsfishin
    Explorer
    May 02, 2016
    You already know the odd wheel will work as the spare, so leave it on the spare.
    Whats wrong w/ a 10-15 yr old spare ??? Its a spare for crine out loud !
    But if you insist on switching 5 wheels, do it,......ain't like it won't work, its been working,...don't fix it when it ain't broke !
  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    May 02, 2016
    Generally a trailer wheel should have zero offset.
    Either the single or set of four should be replaced IMO.
    Get out your tape measure and compare. Yes as long as you are mounting tires this is the time to get it right.
  • Kayteg1's avatar
    Kayteg1
    Explorer II
    May 02, 2016
    I am from old school where people rotated the wheels with main reason to use spare tire before it age.
    Sure over the time less and less owners know how to use lug wrench, or God forbid a jack and either neglect the issue - carrying 10 years old spare, or pay money to replace never used tire.
    Little known issue -the tires should be used as they have some protective waxes that come to the surface under the load.
  • Dave_H_M's avatar
    Dave_H_M
    Explorer II
    May 02, 2016
    If you are not having alignment or uneven ware on the trailer tires, why rotate them?

    I never rotate mine. :h
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    May 02, 2016
    It is very likely the unit came w/o a spare and the prior owner added one.

    This is.. sadly.. Fairly common.
  • bucky's avatar
    bucky
    Explorer II
    May 02, 2016
    Leave the odd one as the spare and rotate the other 4. Don't forget to keep an eye on the spare's pressure if you do this. But that's just me.
  • Kayteg1's avatar
    Kayteg1
    Explorer II
    May 01, 2016
    If it is not rubbing anything, I would not worry about it.
    Staggered wheels are common on high-end cars and even your set up is not exactly staggered, you are leaving wider tracks ;)

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