Replacement Hub/Drums and Wheel/Tires for 2002 CargoMate Eliminator Tandem Axle Trailer

Question:

I am set on purchasing 4 wheel and tire combos from you for a CargoMate trailer that I inherited. They are 5 hole 4 1/2 inch pattern. I also want to purchase 4 10 inch drum hub sets but I am having difficulty determining exactly which set I need to purchase. There is no axle rating on the VIN tag. I can find numbers in the outer bearing but the inner bearing is not legible. I will also make this inquiry with CargoMate. The trailer is a 2002 Eliminator dual torsion axle bumper pull 18foot model cargo trailer. Any assistance you can provide is greatly appreciated.

asked by: Steve K

Expert Reply:

Usually a trailer axle will have a sticker or plate on it to indicate its weight rating. This may not be on the VIN sticker but it should be on at least one of your two axles. If not, contacting the manufacturer (Forest River, 574-264-4519) with the trailer VIN will let them determine what they installed initially. However, bear in mind that if the trailer has been in use for a really long time (as much as 14 years potentially) there is a chance that the original axle was replaced.

If your VIN sticker indicates the trailer GVWR then you can use that to estimate axle capacity. For example, if the GVWR for the trailer is 10K, then it is likely to have two 5200-lb rated axles. If it is rated for 7K, then it probably has two 3500-lb axles. Once you know your axle rating you can choose wheels/tires and hub/drums with the appropriate ratings for that axle capacity. I checked the CargoMate website but the Eliminator series tandem trailers shown today start at a 21-feet/10-inch length, their model EL8518TA2 which has a GVWR of 7000-lbs. That trailer is specified for ST205/75R15 tires in Load range C.

I linked our main page for wheels/tires in your 5-on-4-1/2 bolt pattern in the 15-inch wheel size. If you click on the filters on the page you can sort results by various parameters like width and load range. For a Load Range C radial tire in this size you could use Provider ST205/75R15 Radial Trailer Tire # TA67VR. This tire offers an M speed rating (81-mph) and it can carry up to 1820-lbs at its specified 50-psi pressure rating. Four of these wheels/tires would be ideal for a trailer with a 7K GVWR.

For selecting hubs, you need to pull one of the other hubs to check for its bearings numbers. New hubs have to use the very same bearings to ensure they will fit on your spindles. Chances are that at least one of the hubs will have a legible bearing number on both bearings. Please refer to the linked photo. You can then use the linked page for 5-on-4-1/2 hub/drums to match your bearings. Click on the axle capacity, inner and outer bearings and wheel size to see compatible hubs.

expert reply by: Adam R