12 Inch Trailer Wheels Rub Brake Drum and Cause the Tire to Wobble

Question:

I have a new popup camper that came with 12 inch wheels on it.One of the wheels was not true and had a slight wobble to it. I replaced it with the spare tire and when I took it back to the dealer for replacement, I noticed the rim touches the electric brake hub, all the way around the out side diameter of the rim, on the inside. Should this have a 13inch wheels instead?

asked by: Jim S

Expert Reply:

On a 12 inch wheel you should have 7 inch tall brake drums (measured on the inside not the outside). If the drums are larger then that could be the reason you had problems and you would need to go to 13 inch wheels or hub/drum assemblies and brakes that match the 12 inch wheels.

If you go to 13 inch wheels then you will also need to replace the tires. It is up to you which way you want to go.

I will need to know the tire size you have now and the bolt pattern of the wheels you have now, see link to the right. And I would need to know the inner and outer bearing numbers stamped into the sides of the bearings.

expert reply by: Michael H