Changing trailer hubs

Submitted: Friday, Dec 10, 2004 at 16:58

ThreadID: 18470 Views:13013 Replies:5 FollowUps:1

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Member - rengatt (VIC)

I need to change the hubs on the boat trailer, it currently has the 8 inch rims on the type that the car tyre travels 500 kms and the trailer tyre travels 5000kms. I am hoping to put 14 inch holden rims on the trailer so it will also sit level while being towed.

Are all axles shafts standard size, and if the hubs diameter are to big for the axle shaft can this difference be made up safley with different size bearings.

I have had all day to post this and just remembered at knock off time.

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Reply By: theshadows - Friday, Dec 10, 2004 at 20:41

Friday, Dec 10, 2004 at 20:41

na had the same problem with the old beehive hubs. I ended up with 13 inch torana rims for it .

AnswerID: 88238

Reply By: Banjo (SA) - Friday, Dec 10, 2004 at 22:52

Friday, Dec 10, 2004 at 22:52

Trailer axles, hubs, bearings and seals are a game in themselves BUT the good news is that parts are cheap !! Mostly made on the sub-continent I think. Take your old hub into a specialised place that caters for trailer builders - they sell the lot - they will tell you what hubs you could put on to your axle and what patterns etc the wheels could be - you might be left with mudguard clearance as the only issue with a bit of luck.

AnswerID: 88280

Follow Up By: Member - rengatt (VIC) - Monday, Dec 13, 2004 at 08:43

Monday, Dec 13, 2004 at 08:43

Thanks Banjo,

So I have found out, I have spoken to a number of different outlets and have had 3 different recomended options. Using the same stubs but changing bearing size, or just chopping the stubs off my trailer and welding new ones on, or changingthe whole axle assembly. All of them putting me out of pocket more than I would prefer.

Ended up going to Super Cheap Autos to buy what was required (because they were the cheapest).

As I was waiting to get served I got speaking with another customer and he told me to get down to the local tip and speak to the recyclers as they would probably have a complete set up for sale.

Popped down to the local tip and purchased a complete axle with hubs, rims and roadworthy tyres for $35.00. They even let me take the mudguards off the trailer to fit on mine.

Couple of hours later the job was complete.

Thanks to all that replied to the question.

FollowupID: 347329

Reply By: deano1 - Saturday, Dec 11, 2004 at 03:48

Saturday, Dec 11, 2004 at 03:48

G day mate, had the same problem with my boat trailer. I now use 13inch rims from a torana and it works great. You can sit on 110km hour no worries. Just make sure you cheak the bearing are not hot. If they are, back them off 1/4 of a turn Deano

AnswerID: 88294

Reply By: tonysmc - Saturday, Dec 11, 2004 at 19:56

Saturday, Dec 11, 2004 at 19:56

Giday, I changed mine to ford. The reason being is that they are the same stud pattern as hilux (two wheel drive) I figure that there are stacks of them around and would be easier to find a spare. As said earlier, check clearance of mudguards. Check prices of bearings alone and hubs with bearings. I found bearings alone were $20 each and new hubs complete with bearings were $30 each ( go Figure) So I now carry spare hubs and bearings in the boat tool kit.

AnswerID: 88337