Broken Wheels

[Thurbersfolks]

I just finished a 8000 mile road trip around the US. Broke all of the original wheels at the weld on the rim to lug center. I was running 6 lug 15" wheels and weighed in at 10400 lbs. which was the max on the wheels. Each was stamped 2600 lbs. I was able to go to an 8 lug hub on the same axle. I checked with the Company, AL-CO, and they said that would be fine if total trailer weight did not exceed GVW on the tag. After changing out to bigger , heavier wheels, drums, tires everything now is fine. I feel Forest River undersized the wheels. Trailer just a year old. Who gets the bill? I do because knowone will except responsibility.

[Lantley]

Nothing like a happy ending. I experienced the exact same issue with my prior 11K GVW TT before upgrading to 16" rims and LT tires.

[Thurbersfolks]

Its been a month or so but today I received a compensation check from Forest River Co. for the replacement of the broken wheels on my RV. My faith has been restored in Forest River RV.

[64thunderbolt]

nice to recoup some of the cost, good deal

[Thurbersfolks]

Sold my 6 lug 12 X 2 drums today at a auto swap meet. Good to get those out of my shop.

[Thurbersfolks]

Thanks for the info. Will keep the spare for each, TT and TV.It was a good thought anyway.

[JIMNLIN]

Don't assume a 8 lug truck wheel centers will go over a trailers 8 lug hub.

I was going to use a extra 16" chevy 6 lug wheel as a spare for my 10k car hauler but the center hole in the truck wheel was too small.

Check them first at home rather than on the road.

[64thunderbolt]

mapguy wrote:

64thunderbolt wrote:
probably not much diff in cost . So go big & be comfortable. I would have done the same.

If OP's axles were T60/D60 AlKo "go big" in this case would be 2 more lug nuts and a slightly larger outer bearing. The original drums would've handled a 7k brake lining -if they weren't already 7k rated friction material.

Biggest thing is getting rid of the questionable capacity 15" size stuff.

Hope the OP has luck getting some reimbursment from OEM.

Oh well, I still agree with his decision. Now he's comfortable.

[mapguy]

BobWanderer wrote:
I fully understand the offset differences, it would only be used if I had a second tire failure or 2 at once and only to get to a tire shop.
I have an extra spare for both truck and trailer as it is, so it doesn't matter to me.

Bob, I agree - in an emergency would not hesitate to use a +29mm offset wheel. Definitely would not use in normal duty though.

[BobWanderer]

I fully understand the offset differences, it would only be used if I had a second tire failure or 2 at once and only to get to a tire shop.
I have an extra spare for both truck and trailer as it is, so it doesn't matter to me.

[Thurbersfolks]

Good info here. Thanks for enlightening me on the differences in these wheels.

[mapguy]

JIMNLIN wrote:
Trailer wheels and truck wheels have very different wheel offset requirements.

Trailer wheels require a zero offset as the load is carried between the inner and outer bearing. Using a truck wheel with lots of offset can whip a trailers wheel bearing out quick

They also have a different center hole size.
A trailer wheel is lug centered with a big center hole for clearance vs the wheels close tolarance center hole locates the trucks wheel to the hub.

Having the ability to interchange trailer and truck wheels is nice. But the big gotcha is that most truck wheels have enough offset to de-rate your axle capacity. As mentioned, traile wheels are 0" offset for most applications except dual wheel. Dexter axle actual has offset specifications in their available literature online. Typical late model GM 8 on 6.5 2500 HD OEM wheel has 29 mm + offset. I actually had forged OEM GM PYO Aluminum wheels on my Rage'n toyhauler for a while. It road better with 0" offset wheels.

4 complete drums added +- $400 parts plus labor. For me that is more than a couple a nickels.

[JIMNLIN]

Trailer wheels and truck wheels have very different wheel offset requirements.

Trailer wheels require a zero offset as the load is carried between the inner and outer bearing. Using a truck wheel with lots of offset can whip a trailers wheel bearing out quick

They also have a different center hole size.
A trailer wheel is lug centered with a big center hole for clearance vs the wheels close tolarance center hole locates the trucks wheel to the hub.

[Thurbersfolks]

Thurbersfolks wrote:
I was told that both are the same bolt pattern and you have hit the nail on the head. Two spares, works great for me. They are Chev bolt patterns. My 3/4 ton has done me well and will keep it til..........Thanks

[Thurbersfolks]

I was told that both are the same bolt pattern and you have hit the nail on the head. Two spears, works great for me. They are Chev bolt patterns. My 3/4 ton has done me well and will keep it til..........Thanks