How about a spare tire for my trailer

[rimshot]

I have a car trailer that has two 3500 # axles on it with a 5 on 4 1/2 bolt pattern (5 bolt, bolts on 4 1/2" diameter circle) tires are 205 r70 X15 if memory serves me. I would like to find spare wheel at the junk yard and stick an old 15" tire for a spare to limp in on should I ever have a flat.

I know the wheel will have to line up with proper bolt pattern but what about outside tire diameter? Does it matter with the tandem axles if both tires are slightly different o/s diameter. Seems to me a higher profile tire for a short distance would not hurt a thing.

rimshot

 

[jayste]

For a short distance it might not hurt but I think I'd figure for worst case here. I'd try to match my spare to what's on there now. Putting a tire of larger o/s dia. will cause it to carry more of the load on that side possibly causing that tire to damage as well. Of course just my humble opinion.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Make sure the backspacing is the same. My friend did this with his landscape trailer and never checked it. When he had a flat it rubbed the inner fender.

Chris

 

[firefighter jim]

Not a problem as I have done the same thing although I use the same tire size as the trailer. I use older Ford steel rims. As Diamond Pilot stated, you want to check the wheel backspace measurement to make sure there is no interference with the trailer chassis parts ie. springs, shackles, etc. I personally like the stock Ford rims as they are much better (nice and true) than the cheap trailer wheels that you get nowadays. Also, 15 inch Ford steel rims were made up to and including 1997. They are getting somewhat harder to find now.

 

[radioman]

I have a 16 ft landscape trailer with 3500lb axles. I had a flat and no spare. I used my full sized spare tire from the 2000 chevy malibu and it fits perfect. no rubbing, good clearance . I was able to "limp" home just fine. I did the same with my 22' camper. My camper has 14" rims and trailer 15" rims, and malibu has 14" rims so it all worked out for me. Perhaps you could check your GM cars to see if you have something that works ? Ideally for the money, you could get another tire w/rim from trailer place for 80 bucks. Keep that in mind for how much you pay for a spare from local junk yard.

 

[firefighter jim]

I have a 16 ft landscape trailer with 3500lb axles. I had a flat and no spare. I used my full sized spare tire from the 2000 chevy malibu and it fits perfect. no rubbing, good clearance . I was able to "limp" home just fine. I did the same with my 22' camper. My camper has 14" rims and trailer 15" rims, and malibu has 14" rims so it all worked out for me. Perhaps you could check your GM cars to see if you have something that works ? Ideally for the money, you could get another tire w/rim from trailer place for 80 bucks. Keep that in mind for how much you pay for a spare from local junk yard.

Surprised that fit! GM are usually 4 3/4 or 5 inch bolt circle. My friend does have a landscape trailer with the Chevy bolt circle. Somewhat unusual I believe as most are 4 1/2 inch.

 

[radioman]

Surprised that fit! GM are usually 4 3/4 or 5 inch bolt circle. My friend does have a landscape trailer with the Chevy bolt circle. Somewhat unusual I believe as most are 4 1/2 inch.

I am surprised too! but hey I'll take it if it works!

 

[Diamondpilot]

I think my trailer on my boat is 5 on 4.5 and my utility trailer is 5 on 5 lug pattern. Either way, they are different eventhough they are both 15" wheels and 5 lug.

Here is how you measure.


Chris

 

[George2615]

Surprised that fit! GM are usually 4 3/4 or 5 inch bolt circle. My friend does have a landscape trailer with the Chevy bolt circle. Somewhat unusual I believe as most are 4 1/2 inch.

A lot of older Ford and Chrysler products have the 5 x 4 1/2" pattern. GM are mostly 5 x 4 3/4" or 5 x 5" as mentioned. See Chris' chart to make sure you are measuring correctly.

 

[Cami]

If you want the deluxe spare tire setup then keep a tire on a complete hub assembly; get a spare spindle to make the carrier. This way you're covered if you have a bearing problem and I think it's easier, with nasty old trailers, to back off the brakes and pull the whole hub assembly off the axle instead of messing with the lugs.

By the way: With a flat tire on an empty tandem, has anybody used a come-along to pull up the axle with the flat and limp home. A friend claimed that he did it years ago, but I'm wondering if he's full of crap, or not.