Replacement Wheels with 6 on 5-1/2 Bolt Pattern for Old Home Made Trailer

Question:

I have an old trailer than someone made with what looks like a 1940s chevy truck axle. I am guessing. The axle has a large hub diameter, so finding wheels to fit it has been a problem. I know an 80s or 90s Nissan pathfinder will physically fit, however there is space between the hub and the hole of the wheel. Is this a problem? My hub has studs coming out of it and they are 6 on 5.5

asked by: Don

Expert Reply:

It could be a mobile home axle. A lot of people use them to make trailers, which is a bad idea since they are designed for one time use only, and there are very few and hard to find replacement parts.

The largest wheels we have that use the 6 on 5-1/2 bolt pattern are 16 inch wheels, see link. The hubs and drums we carry with the 6 on 5-1/2 bolt pattern will fit in 16 inches wheels so a 16 inch wheel might be the best option for you.

Since the hub has studs sticking out of it that you would use with lug nuts, it is a lug-centric design. The center pilot hole diameter will not matter as long as it is not too small. On a 16 inch wheel with a 6 on 5-1/2 bolt pattern the pilot hole diameter will be 4-1/4 inches.

I do not recommend using vehicle wheels on a trailer because many of them will not have the right offset (where the wheel mounting surface is relative to the wheel centerline) and could lead to tire wear and suspension problems.

expert reply by: Michael H