Using wheel spacers for clearance to fit 4by wheels onto a camper trailer ?

Submitted: Wednesday, Aug 29, 2007 at 10:44

ThreadID: 49117 Views:11493 Replies:4 FollowUps:6

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Anthony (Vic)

Having had no previous experience of using wheel spacers I though I would seek the wisdom of the Forum on what I need be aware of when fitting spacers, accepting that there are insurance issues to consider.

What I’m interested to hear about is if this is a viable solution to fit the same wheels all around on the 4wd and camper trailer or will the camper wheel be prone to coming off?

The steel rims used on the 4wd have a 30mm positive offset and I am looking at fitting one or two 6mm thick wheel spacers to the camper trailer hub to give the tyre clearance from the leaf spring.

I think the studs are long enough at 31mm long. Two wheel spacers are 12mm, 16.5mm for the thread length on an OEM steel wheel nut; this leaves 2.5mm for the steel rim (allowing for the taper).

What do you reckon? I’m thinking it’s worth a try.

Cheers Anthony

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Reply By: Russel & Mary - Wednesday, Aug 29, 2007 at 11:14

Wednesday, Aug 29, 2007 at 11:14

Ant. I don't see why it would affect anything. The strain on the studs is probably no different to a wheel with a big offset to make it sit out more. Also some 4x4 off road buggies have 3" or 4" front wheel spacers don't they? These don't seem to come to any grief. Rus.

AnswerID: 259358

Follow Up By: Middle Jeff - Wednesday, Aug 29, 2007 at 13:11

Wednesday, Aug 29, 2007 at 13:11

Hi Rus

The spacers on buggies are different to the description above, they are a machined solid set-up that bolts to the hub, then the wheel bolts to the spacer.

When you put a spacer ( like a thick washer ) over the stud then the stud will fail, they used to do this to minis in the 70s.

Have fun

Craig

FollowupID: 520839

Follow Up By: Anthony (Vic) - Wednesday, Aug 29, 2007 at 19:56

Wednesday, Aug 29, 2007 at 19:56

Thanks R&M,
I'm only looking at using the thick washer type spacer. I have heard that the one inch or bigger put a higher load on wheel bearing but I Middle Jeff said, I'm not looking at the big ones. They are to expensive anyway.
cheers A

FollowupID: 520934

Reply By: Member - Greydemon (WA) - Wednesday, Aug 29, 2007 at 12:18

Wednesday, Aug 29, 2007 at 12:18

I had a similar problem, I had a set of Pajero NM wheels cheap from eBay but they wouldn't fit (I think there is a 45mm offset). I was just going to keep a couple of wheels and give the rest away until advised by the smart people on this site that it is not very expensive to have a new axle fitted to a trailer. I made enquires and ended up doing just that, with a better axle than the original for around $150-170 (can't remember exactly).

The slightly annoying side effect that I hadn't considered is that the Pajero wheels are about 30mm bigger than the old trailer wheels - they fit OK, but the canvas no longer quite reaches the ground!

AnswerID: 259365

Follow Up By: Anthony (Vic) - Wednesday, Aug 29, 2007 at 19:50

Wednesday, Aug 29, 2007 at 19:50

Hi Greydemon

I also have the bigger wheel issue, which is the price to pay for running the same size wheels all around.

On replacing the axle, I thought about it but have decided to try he cheaper option with spacers.

Cheers A

FollowupID: 520932

Reply By: Robin Miller - Wednesday, Aug 29, 2007 at 13:24

Wednesday, Aug 29, 2007 at 13:24

As`you suggest Anthony , wheels spacers are not legal for on road use.

I had made up some 6mm Alum ones and use them to offset wheels on my Patrol , as I have different sets of wheels each with different offsets, and front brake pads can scrape without them when new.

Key thing as you seem to know is that the wheels nuts go on sufficently with spacers I think they need to go on about 9mm ( 6 turns with 1.5mm thread pitch)

Robin Miller

AnswerID: 259376

Follow Up By: Anthony (Vic) - Wednesday, Aug 29, 2007 at 19:41

Wednesday, Aug 29, 2007 at 19:41

Hi Robin,

I'm yet to check what size & thread pitch the studs on the camper are but I'm a bit surprised to read that the wheel nuts would need only 9mm of thread contact. I thought that they would need more thread contact than that.

I checked the specs online for OEM steel nuts which were listed as being 16.5mm tall and I was thinking I need to at the very least have the wheel nut top, flush with the end of the wheel stud.

FollowupID: 520926

Follow Up By: Robin Miller - Wednesday, Aug 29, 2007 at 20:22

Wednesday, Aug 29, 2007 at 20:22

Hi Anthony

There is actually a rule for this , something like nut must be threaded on for as far as the bolt is wide minus thread cut.

Can't remember exactly , but mine meet the conditions with 6mm spacing on Patrol wheels which is actually why I did it.

Robin Miller

FollowupID: 520945

Reply By: mfewster - Wednesday, Aug 29, 2007 at 15:36

Wednesday, Aug 29, 2007 at 15:36

Interesting question. I know they are illegal on vehicles and I can see why. But on a trailer? To my way of thinking, there should be no steering or driving forces being transmitted through the studs, I can't see why this shouldn't be a good idea?

AnswerID: 259396