wheel backspacing?

Al Swope

Al Swope

Adventurist
Founding Member
On my cargo trailer, my current tires are 205/75R15 on wheels with 3.5" of backspacing. There is 5.5inches from the wheel mounting surface to the side of the trailer.

I have a set of 235/85R16 tires. I want to mount them on 16X7 wheels but can only find wheels with 4" back spacing which is going the wrong way. I think I need to keep at least the original 3.5 of BS if not more? Would these tires rub on a 4" BS wheel? The current tire is 1.75" from the inside of the tire to the trailer side.
 
What's the bolt pattern you are looking for? I have a set of aluminum rims off the Big Bad Buick; 16" with 3.5" Backspacing that are drilled for both 5x5 or 5x51/2 that are yours if you want them. Also I have a set of black steelies in 5x4-1/2, 3.5" bs but are 15" if you can find a tire that works. BTW the tire on our EV-1 trailer was a 235/75/15 if that helps any.
 
You can search for trailer wheels. They typically have less backspacing but can be difficult/expensive to find locally in 16x7. I ended up using standard steel wheels 15x7 and 235/75/15 without any clearance issues. I can check the clearance between tire and trailer tomorrow if you need some comparative measurements.

-Andy
 
Haggis said:
What's the bolt pattern you are looking for? I have a set of aluminum rims off the Big Bad Buick; 16" with 3.5" Backspacing that are drilled for both 5x5 or 5x51/2 that are yours if you want them. Also I have a set of black steelies in 5x4-1/2, 3.5" bs but are 15" if you can find a tire that works. BTW the tire on our EV-1 trailer was a 235/75/15 if that helps any.
Click to expand...

Sweet, I need 5x4.5 with 3.5BS, so your steel wheels sound perfect. I am going to look at a set of 33x10.5x15 tires tomorrow night. If they work out, I'll buy your wheels!

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Grumps said:
You can search for trailer wheels. They typically have less backspacing but can be difficult/expensive to find locally in 16x7. I ended up using standard steel wheels 15x7 and 235/75/15 without any clearance issues. I can check the clearance between tire and trailer tomorrow if you need some comparative measurements.

-Andy
Click to expand...

If you could measure your BS on your wheels and also the wheel mounting surface to trailer measurement. I have figured out several scenarios where the math works, but real examples are always better.
 
Al Swope said:
Sweet, I need 5x4.5 with 3.5BS, so your steel wheels sound perfect. I am going to look at a set of 33x10.5x15 tires tomorrow night. If they work out, I'll buy your wheels!
Click to expand...

No need for buying them I was just going to scrap 'em anyway. Considerate it an act of reciprocal karma.
 
The wheels I used have 4.00" backspace. The distance between the hub face and the trailer body is 6.5". I have 1.5" between the tire and the body. Not much room, a good sized branch or rock could get lodged between the tire and body.

-Andy
 
Mark,
I picked up (4) 33x9.5x15 BFG ATs. I can definitely use your steel wheels now. can you bring them to the little J? I am going to make another spare tire mount and run 2 spares.
 
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