at trailer wheel switch question

[sgt rock]

This is not much of a dilemma but on the other had should call AT Trailers!

I would like to use both my Jeeps for towing the trailer but the current set up is with my JK that sits on 35” MT tires with Walker Evans Rims.

AT Trailer sits on the same rims and tires…

Bolt pattern on the JK and AT are set to 5x5

My other Jeep is a 05’ TJ Sport which has not been lifted yet and not expecting to put Walker Evans on it or 35’s. My current plan is to buy a set of rims and tires for the AT to match up to TJ.

The issue is:
How much of a chore is it to change out the hubs on a AT?
And!
My JK is auto with a 5.7 Hemi and has no power issues towing the trailer. My TJ is manual- has any one towed one with a Sport and had any power loss issues?

currently my jeep pockets are empty to buy 4/5 WE rims with MT's- just enough money to buy 2 tires and wheels from Discount Tire!!

 

[Martyn]

Well it looks like you are going from 5 on 5 to 5 on 4.5

The easiest way to achieve this is through a set of adapters. So you'd end up removing the tires and rims you have on the trailer now, bolting on the new adapters and fitting the new tires and rims.

If you just change out the hubs, not too difficult a task but it has to be done correctly, you have to make sure that the total backspacing from the mounting surface of the rim to the back of the tire is no more than 6 inches and you have room for the spindle to fit through the center hole. If either of these is a problem you will need adapters made.

I'd go for the first choice. Adapters take about a week to manufacture.

 

[highlandercj-7]

If you are going to run the same wheels and tires on all. 3 except the TJ still has 5 on 4.5 then I would buy a 5 on 4.5 to 5 on 5 adapter, assuming the only reason for this, is to run the trailer spare on the TJ? If it is so the TJ spare will fit the AT, then get a 5 on 5 to 5 on 4.5 adapter. or one of each to make them work either way.

 

[Martyn]

You could go with a three piece adapter. The outer pieces would have to be 5 0n 5 and 5 on 4.5 but we are talking $$

 

[sgt rock]

thanks for the info!

thanks for the 20/20...martyn- what amount aprox' does $$ represent?

 

[upatree]

Power issues

Upatree is a 04 rubicon w/4.0 4.11 5spd 4" lift and 33. I can tell when the AT horizon (Treehouse) is in the hook but not so much that I will be changing the stock gearing. The slower pace has been good for my sanity. Rather than changing wheels all the time why not just buy another trailer from M&M especially since they have the new suspension. You might ask for a fleet discount! Have fun and enjoy what ever you do.

 

[Martyn]

thanks for the 20/20...martyn- what amount aprox' does $$ represent?

Rock

A single piece adapter runs around $150.00 a pair. you could easily be looking at $300.00 for a three piece adapter, I'd have to get it quote.

 

[sgt rock]

possible new trailer

Upatree is a 04 rubicon w/4.0 4.11 5spd 4" lift and 33. I can tell when the AT horizon (Treehouse) is in the hook but not so much that I will be changing the stock gearing. The slower pace has been good for my sanity. Rather than changing wheels all the time why not just buy another trailer from M&M especially since they have the new suspension. You might ask for a fleet discount! Have fun and enjoy what ever you do.

Well I wish I could afford another trailer! Maybe time to sweep the floors for extra change at AT!!

I thought of getting one of these to tow with my TJ!

Thanx Martyn- at least i have options...

 

[stick]

My JK is auto with a 5.7 Hemi

:Wow1:

Sorry, I have nothing useful to add, but to say that is one sweet JK and AT setup

:clapsmile

 

[TheMike]

I have a TJ Rubi Unlimited, running 35's. I got back to stock numbers by going to 4.88's. While our trailers are different they have the same towing characteristics.

With that being said, and knowing that the Sports are running 3.37's (?), I would imagine you will be a bit unhappy with the towing abilities of the TJ. I am happy (but wouldn't mind more power) with my LJ's towing abilities and performance but only after I regeared. 3K RPM's starts the power band and 4k is where I keep it on those long 11,000'+ Colorado mountain passes.

I am able to do 75 with the cruise on and in 6th with minimal effort on the highway. As the grade changes so does the effort though. A side note: MPG: I get 12-13 normal (more around town driving) and 10-12 towing (more highway). I get 6-7 offroad in either case.

The few times I have had my trailer out and about with the LJ the combined weight of the two was 7100lbs. My Jeep weights about 4800 with family and full of gas so the trailer was coming in at 2300. That's fully loaded for me with gear, fuel and water.

Spacers are the best bet to quickly change tire/rims. Going from a 5.7 JK to a stock TJ is quite the comparison and what a difference it will be!

I believe I picked my Red for my trailer just after you picked up your trailer from AT. What a great setup you have. When I move to a 4door Rubi your setup will be reference.

Mike

 

[adventureduo]

We just did the adapters going from 5 on 4.5 to 6 lug toyota. Was a piece of cake. They're 2 piece. I dont know why you'd need 3 piece? Not to mention the width would grow also the more pieces you added.

The place i used was who AT referred me to, Motorsports Technology in Colton, CA. They did a great job and i think i paid $180.00 for a pair. 6061-T6 billet aluminum... here's some pics..

Here's a thread where a few of us discussed them also.

http://forum.ih8mud.com/trailer-tech/118335-using-wheel-spacer-adapter-change-lug-pattern.html

 

[Martyn]

We just did the adapters going from 5 on 4.5 to 6 lug toyota. Was a piece of cake. They're 2 piece. I dont know why you'd need 3 piece? Not to mention the width would grow also the more pieces you added.

The place i used was who AT referred me to, Motorsports Technology in Colton, CA. They did a great job and i think i paid $180.00 for a pair. 6061-T6 billet aluminum... here's some pics..

Here's a thread where a few of us discussed them also.

http://forum.ih8mud.com/trailer-tech/118335-using-wheel-spacer-adapter-change-lug-pattern.html

With stock Jeep rims the center hole is too small for the spindle to clear so an adapter is needed to push the tire and rim combo outwards for clearance. So the adapter also acts as a spacer.

A three piece is called for because the owners wants a single adapter to offer both 4.5 and 5.5 options.

A three piece adapter would add no more thickness than a two piece. The inner would be mounted to the hub and then the outer two pieces would consist of a 5 on 4.5 and a 5 on 5. So only one of the outer portions would be used at any one time. Switching the outer adapter would facilitate the bolt pattern change.

Is the idea a little clearer now.

 

[adventureduo]

Ok, gotcha, .. so its a 2 piece in reality.. with another set to switch out too. I was picturing 3 pieces bolted together...

 

[sgt rock]

thanks again

i would rather go with the one piece as when heading out. just when i open the garage i could make the change in a few minutes.

the reason i threw asked the question was in honesty...gas! i am not going to do much radical changes to my tj and becouse i do drive the jk with the trailer it sure its sucks up gas.

again i apprciate all the feedback!
:luxhello:

 

[sgt rock]

whoaaa

very- very nice!! V-E-R-Y N-I-C-E