Can I Change My Hubs From A 14" Wheel To A 10" Wheel?

Question:

Hello im wanting to change my hubs from 14 to 10 i already have the rims with tires and they would bold right up but the hubs are to big the trailer has brakes hydraulic bearing buddys also that are only applied thru the hitch which im considering getting rid of if need be my lake is only 12 miles away, but the reason for going to 10 tire setup is because our ramps are so shallow.....got to almost sink my pu to launch it ....what would you recommend the bolt hole pattern is 5 hole on 4.50 ...2001 Lowe pontoon and trailer 90hp johnson.....thanks Calvin Camp

asked by: Calvin C

Expert Reply:

Hello Calvin. That is an interesting question. Usually, most folks want to go with larger wheels instead of smaller. The main problem we are going to run in to here, it that the hubs that are made for a 10" wheel will not fit on an axle/spindle with a hub designed for a 14" wheel.

For example the # AKHD-550-35-EZ-K hub is made to support wheels between 13" and 15" only. When we go down in size we get to a hub/drum such as part # AKHD-545-2-EZ-2K. This hub will support a 10" wheel, but it requires a 7" brake shoe. Your hubs likely use the 10" brake shoes, meaning these parts are not interchangeable. You would have to completely swap out your axle for a new lower-capacity axle, and this is not something I can recommend doing. You may be able to go down to a 13" wheel without changing anything else out, but that would be the smallest you can go.

expert reply by: Jesse M

Cal

5/25/2024

Jesse so even if i got rid of the brakes and went with an idler hub its not doable with the size 84 spindle? Thanks in advance...Cal

Jesse M.

5/28/2024

@Cal That is correct. Even for an idler hub. The hubs that fit the 84 spindle will have a larger diameter hub face. This makes it only compatible with larger wheels. They do use the same bolt pattern as the smaller hubs, but you would likely find that the 10" wheels would not mount flush to the hub face making it unsafe to use.