Can 17 Inch Wheels be Used with 3,500 Pound Trailer Hubs

Question:

Im building a trailer using 17inch rims. In the specs of the hubs I see on your site says 13inch and 14inch tires.. I cant use 17inch rims with these ? I thought as long as the bolt pattern fit it didnt matter what size rim was used ? Thanks in advance for any advice.

asked by: David

Expert Reply:

The Dexter Trailer Idler Hub Assembly # 84555UC1 referenced in your question is designed for 3,500 pound axles and works with 13 inch to 15 inch wheels, like you mentioned. The potential problem with going to a larger 17 inch wheel is that there won't be enough surface area on the hub to safely support a wheel of that size. This can cause major issues if you were to hit a curb or other object in the road with the trailer, as this lack of support from the hub can easily lead to the wheel breaking off or damage to the spindle and axle. I do recommend staying within the stated limits of this hub with regards to compatible wheel sizes.

A 15 inch wheel is the largest size wheel any of our 3,500 pound hubs will work with.

expert reply by: Chris R