Recommended Trailer Rims For A 1988 International Trailer

Question:

I own a 1988 international 16foot trailer with 8000lbs. rated capacity. The tires are a 235 80r/16. It appears that the previous owner may have substituted chevy wheels/rims for this trailer. The bolt pattern is 5 1/2inch and appears to be 5 1/2inch wide with a 3 1/2inch center opening. The existing rims have riveted supports in them. My questions are: 1. Is this the proper tire for the trailer? I already purchase a new spare tire of this size and would like to use it on newer rims. 2. Is there a replacement rim? Thanks

asked by: Lee D

Helpful Expert Reply:

The 6 on 5-1/2 bolt pattern will be very typical of a 16" rim, but the 3-1/2" pilot hole is odd. Usually, a wheel of this size will have a 4.25" or 4.27" pilot hole. so you may be right about the previous owner changing the wheels out. With that said, as trailer wheels are lug centric, the pilot hole is less critical than the pilot hole on a hub centric vehicle wheel.

As to this being the correct size for your 1988 International trailer, as long as you have at least 3" from the top of the tire to the bottom of the fender/wheel well, sticking with the 235/80R16 will be perfectly fine. You do want to have around 1-1/2" from the sidewall of the tire to the inside wall of the wheel well, but this is less important than the height measurement.

Though we will not have a wheel that will look quite like your current wheel, I do like the Taskmaster Steel Modular Trailer Wheel # TA73VR. This will have the 6 on 5-1/2 bolt pattern, will measure 16" x 6", looks to match the silver color, and will have a 3,500 pound capacity. This will be the closest we have available.

expert reply by: Lazer S