TRAILER WHEELS

We Carry Trailer Wheels That Fit Most Trailers — Choose Your Diameter, Rim, Style & More

You already know your work truck needs durable, well-matched wheels to rack up miles of trouble-free driving, but your trailer requires quality rims, too. It’s important to choose the right trailer wheels for your hauling requirements, whether you are a landscaper committed to local clients or a nationwide delivery service.

Perhaps your company is looking to replace some rusty, worn-out trailer wheels, or you’re trying to outfit your delivery fleet with new rims to increase efficiency and durability. In either case, trailer rims play an essential role in protecting your business’s bottom line, and a quality selection of trailer wheels is exactly what your fleet needs for all the journeys to come.

What to Look for When Buying Trailer Wheels

Trailer rims can come in an array of sizes, materials, and designs. Before you select your new trailer wheels based on physical compatibility with your trailer’s wheel hubs, there are other factors you’ll want to consider, including:

• Budget: Some options, such as steel vs. aluminum, can come with wide price discrepancies
• Travel Distance: You may not see a return on investment with more expensive rims if your trucks stay close to your home base
• Warranty: If you put your wheels through heavy use when making deliveries, you may want some extra financial protection in case of severe damage
• Appearance: If your vehicles have to maintain a specific brand image, you may need a certain style of trailer rim, such as an attractive painted or gloss rim

You may also wonder whether the type of tires you plan on using should affect your choice of rims. For example, you might be considering bias ply or radial tires. Fortunately, any rims you buy can work for either type of tire.

The idea that rims designed for bias ply tires should never be used with radials comes from the world of muscle cars, where people running vintage rims have sometimes been advised not to mount modern radial tires on them. For trailers, this convention typically does not apply.

Keep in mind, however, that even though any rim you purchase can handle either bias ply or radials, you should never mix radials and bias ply tires on the same trailer. They will have different handling characteristics, so mixing them can cause traction problems.

Also, regardless of which type you use, all tires must be inflated to the correct PSI whenever you tow your trailer. With any rims, following these best practices is key to ensuring a smooth and safe journey.

Specifications to Consider

In addition to these key factors, you’ll also want to look for certain specifications to choose the best trailer wheels for you. Some of the most vital details include:

• Diameter: The height of the wheel
• Width: How wide the wheel is
• Bolt Pattern: Whether you need 4, 5, 6, 8, or 10 bolt rims, as well as the size and spacing
• Load Rating: How much weight the wheel can handle
• Wheel Type: Open wheel, spoked, modular, etc.
• Center Bore: The central hole that allows wheels to properly mount to the trailer’s axle hubs
• Back Spacing: The distance between the mounting surface and the outermost wheel edge
• Offset: The distance between the wheel’s centerline and the area where the mounting surface meets the hub
• Material: Steel or aluminum

How can you make the choice between steel and aluminum? It ultimately comes down to your personal preferences. Steel is less expensive than aluminum, but it is also heavier and requires more maintenance due to steel’s tendency to rust.

Aluminum rims are just as strong, provide more corrosion resistance, dissipate heat better, and are much lighter — sometimes by 30 pounds or more — which helps with fuel efficiency. However, aluminum trailer wheels are usually twice to three times as expensive as comparable steel rims.

Which Trailer Wheels Are Best for Your Application?

Not all trailer rims are created equal. Some are made for specific jobs and are better suited for more or less weight and environmental conditions. Here’s how to know which trailer wheels are best for your application.

Waste & Dump Trailers

Depending on the size of the trailer, the rims may need to be duallies, and larger examples may have tandem axles. Often, due to the nature of the work done with waste and dump trailers, the trailer will need to traverse rough terrain, which puts even more stress on the wheels.

You’ll want to buy rims with a weight rating far beyond the loads you plan to carry. Also, these wheels may experience plenty of dirt and mud, so going for rust-resistant galvanized or aluminum rims might be wise.

Equipment Trailers

Equipment trailers can be large enough to haul massive excavators and use three or four rows of duallies. Owners may take these trailers on smooth highways or messy construction sites, too.

Galvanized or aluminum rims will fight rust, and weight handling will be a key consideration. Height is also important because low-boy trailers are meant to sit close to the ground for easy on- and off-loading.

Cargo Trailers

Enclosed cargo trailers are extremely versatile and serve a wide range of professionals, from musicians to landscapers. Many companies use these trailers for moving furniture as well.

Unless the trailer is particularly large, it will most likely use single wheels, even if there are tandem axles. Typically, these trailers use 4-, 5-, or 6-lug spoked or modular wheels.

Utility Trailers

Utility trailers are generally light and cost-effective options for businesses that don’t need to haul large equipment. Instead, these businesses may need to haul a zero-turn mower or similar machine.

Utility trailers can be small enough to include just a single axle, and the wheels are typically narrow and small in diameter, with a 4- or 5-lug pattern.

Gooseneck Trailers

The defining feature of a gooseneck trailer is its namesake hitch that curves like a goose’s neck from the trailer to the hauling vehicle. These trailers can stretch up to 40 feet long and haul as much as 25,000 pounds.

As a result, the wheels must be large and robust, have a high load capacity, and generally use six or more lugs for hub attachment.

Trailer Wheels FAQs

How Do I Know Which Wheels Fit My Trailer?

If you don’t have information from the manufacturer to guide you, you can always figure out what size and type of trailer wheels you need with some simple measuring. Start by measuring the hub to get the center bore size and bolt spacing. The number of lug bolts will be obvious.

You’ll also need to measure the inner wheel well to determine what width and diameter wheels the trailer can accommodate. Remember to leave enough room for the tires and suspension travel, as you don’t want to bottom out when you hit bumps.

What Is the Common Lug Pattern on Trailer Wheels?

For small trailers, you’ll typically find 4 lugs on 4” hubs and 5 lugs on 4.5” hubs, generally phrased as 4 on 4 or 5 on 4 ½. You may also see 5 on 4 ¾, 5 on 5, and 5 on 5 ½ with high frequency, as well. For larger trailers, 6 on 5 ½ 8 on 6 ½ are also common.

Do Trailer Wheels Need to Be Greased?

Yes, the bearings need a new application of lubricant after 12 months or 12,000 miles. This keeps the bearings from overheating. Ample friction will eventually cause wheels to seize, which can lead to accidents and high trailer repair bills.

For trailers that regularly see use in water, such as boat trailers, devices like bearing protectors can keep pressure on the grease to prevent leakage when submerged.

Do Trailer Wheels Need Any Other Type of Maintenance?

Yes, regular trailer rim inspections can prevent major problems. Before hauling or towing, you should inspect the wheels to ensure there are no signs of damage, such as rust or warpages. Check the bearings to make sure they spin freely. Ensure the tires are at the right pressure.

Trailer wheels also need occasional balancing, just as vehicle wheels do. Out-of-balance trailer wheels can cause bouncing and vibrations, which add stress to the axles and trailer structure.

What Is the Most Common Trailer Wheel Size?

Most trailer wheels will be sized between 13 and 16 inches. It’s crucial to match the size of the wheel to your specific trailer. Too small, and the wheels won’t be able to handle the weight. Too big, and the rims won’t fit.

Why Buy Trailer Wheels From Us?

When you need to purchase new wheels, you need a reliable supplier that charges fair prices and never takes advantage of the customer. Tires4That carries a wide selection of quality trailer wheels with competitive pricing, and we are always happy to provide you with expert advice grounded in years of experience.

We’ve been in the wheel and tire business for more than 50 years, and our customer-oriented reputation displays our passion for quality service. Tires4That is more than a supplier; we are your trusted partner, placing your needs as our highest priority.