Big tires on el-cheapo trailer?

[Pskhaat]

A given:

• I need an Adventure Trailer-style trailer.

Now that out of the way, I need to haul some random stuff (like various 35" tires) this summer over many miles and have one of those little tiny ~40x48" cheapo 1000lbs. trailers with the 8" wheels.

The Question: is it relatively safe to put on 6on5.5" hubs on these little trailers and just use these 35" tires with standard 6on5.5" rims instead of the 8" tires/wheels? I could thus eliminate 2 of the large tires from either on the trailer or out of the back of the LC saving a good amount of space.

 

[adrenaline503]

I dont think that the stock axles or bearings on those trailers are going to like 35" tires.

 

[Pskhaat]

Well, the hubs have appropriate bearings. What's your thoughts on the axle?

 

[JeepN95YJ]

My friends and I took a trip to CO/UT last year from OH/IL/IA. The guy from IA built a VERY nice trailer out of 2x2 square tubing and custom-fabbed a body to match his TJ. Used the same wheels and tires as the TJ as well. 35" ProComp Extreme Terrains on Centercat Hellcat wheels. He used a 1500lb axle.

This was a purpose built trailer that was fairly light. He had it loaded with clothes and camping gear (basically tent, sleeping bags and cooler) for 2 adults and two children.

The 35's absolutely demolished the 1500lb axle in CO on gravel roads. No offroading at all. Just a little backroads driving with a lot of washboard. Seriously less than 90 miles of backroad driving and he had a bent axle with a wheel leaning severely.

He swapped out the 1500lb axle in Grand Junction for a 3500lb axle and we then proceded to MOAB and ran the White Rim Trail. Not a peep out of the trailer after that.

I, personally, wouldn't run 35s with less than a 3500lb axle.

 

[highlandercj-7]

The larger 6 lug hubs require a larger axle shaft so they will not fit. Your better off to get a 6 lug axle assy if you want to run 6 lug wheels.

 

[Willman]

The larger 6 lug hubs require a larger axle shaft so they will not fit. Your better off to get a 6 lug axle assy if you want to run 6 lug wheels.

Ditto....

A new axle w/ brakes is the way to go.....$250 range......I love my new axle!

 

[euro.love]

I just purchased a 2,000lbs rated axle. I am running 32's. Think I will have a problem? My trailer loaded will only weigh in at about 1,000lbs.

 

[Brian McVickers]

Scott,
People are selling, for pennies, axles of all kinds on Craigslist all the time. You could pick one up and fit it to your trailer.

Brian,

 

[GeoTracker90]

I just purchased a 2,000lbs rated axle. I am running 32's. Think I will have a problem? My trailer loaded will only weigh in at about 1,000lbs.

If you are going to leave the highway with it I personally would not run a 2,000 pound axle. Even if the trailer and gear only weigh in at 1,000 pounds I would runb the larger 3,500 pound axle. The larger axle will give you two advantages.

1: Larger beaings.
2: Stronger axle tube.

I have seen the bearings on a 2,000 pound axle burn up and I've heard first hand experiences of others that have had a 2,000 pound axle tube turn into a pretzel after some time off road. Both problems seem to go away when you upgrade to the 3,500 pound axle tube.

Just my $0.02.

Mike