Spare tire

dodge man · Apr 30, 2009

I bought a new trailer about 6 months ago, but it didn't come with a spare. Is there a cheap way to pick up a spare tire for a trailer? Would I be best off getting a spare from the manufactorer? Can you pick up a wheel at a junk yard and add a tire cheaper? I don't know if they are a standard size wheel, such as a Chevy or Ford, Dodge bolt partern or what. It's a 7000lb care hauler made by Trailerman.

Diamondpilot · Apr 30, 2009

I assume its a 5 lug. The next thing you need to do is figure out the wheel lug nut spacing such as 5 or 4.5". You can get a wheel at a junk yard if you know that plus the rim width and back spacing. Be certain to check all things out. I have seen guys with spares that were the right lug pattern but the back spacing was such it hit the inner fender before the lugs were on. I have also seen wheels where the hub hole was not big enough to allow it to fit on. Lot more too it than it looks.

For example I have a boat that has 5 lug wheels that are 5 on 4.5" spacing and my car haul trailer is 5 on 5" spacing. Pain in the AZZZ!

Chris

MarkLeininger · Apr 30, 2009

I went to the local trailer place when I needed a spare, he came out and measured the rim and lug spacing. Cost me $90 with the tire. Not sure how much you'd save at junk yard by the time you paint the rim, buy a tire and pay to have it mounted.

George2615 · Apr 30, 2009

I agree with Mark. By the time you get a used rim, clean and paint it, then get a trailer tire and have it mounted you could just buy a mounted spare wheel and tire from a trailer place. Also, trailer tires are usually marked for trailer use on the sidewall and a regular car tire is not recommended for use on a trailer.

Highbeam · May 1, 2009

MarkLeininger said:
I went to the local trailer place when I needed a spare, he came out and measured the rim and lug spacing. Cost me $90 with the tire. Not sure how much you'd save at junk yard by the time you paint the rim, buy a tire and pay to have it mounted.

That's what I did too. Got the same exact rim and tire so I can't even tell which is the spare. Load range E trailer tires and the white steel rim are not that expensive. I just need to figure out a way to mount it to the trailer. I just load it in the pickup for now.

LBrown59 · May 1, 2009

dodge man said:
I bought a new trailer about 6 months ago, but it didn't come with a spare. Trailerman.

Why didn't you just simply order the tire and rim with the purchase of the trailer.

JDGREEN4ME · May 1, 2009

I agree with what some of the others have stated, just get the tire set up from the dealer and be done with it. I would not be comfortable using a trailer without having a spare available.

dodge man · May 1, 2009

Well, I didn't think about it at the time. You know, kid with a new toy, not always thinking clearly. The dealers only about 30 miles away, I'll probably order one and go pick it up.

Lasgambler · May 1, 2009

I ordered a couple of spares for diff. trailers off Ebay. Fair price, new tire and new white spoke wheels that match my trailer wheels. Living in the middle of nowhere shipped to my house means alot to me in saved time and fuel. Terry

Orange 08 · May 1, 2009

When I bought my trailer I made the deal to include the spare and mount. It wasn't too much as I remember. I think all the trailers came without spares. When you talk to your dealer ask how much to have a mount welded onto the trailer also.

Mine is mounted to the passenger side so to be away from the trafic if on the side of the road; I hope the flat is also.

What I need is a way to lock it.