wheel upgrade - 16" bolt pattern?

[SnoSheriff]

I'd like to upgrade the wheels and tires on my 2010 Salem 30QBSS. Currently I'm running on the original 225/75R15 Load range D.

I'd like to move up to 16" wheels. What bolt pattern will fit my trailer?

3 out of 4 original tires have "cuts" on the side walls. So, I'm thinking about buying the LT tires. I read good reviews about Michelin LTX M/S2.

[Dave_Monica]

Here's a link that shows you how to measure the bolt pattern.

MRW - How to measure bolt pattern

Dave

[Glenn5995]

To give an exact response, I would need to know what axles you have and what wheels you are interested in.

Most likely with 15" wheels you have a 5 X 4.5 bolt pattern. I am not aware of any 16" wheels using a 5 lug pattern, they are 6 lug or 8 lug. Here are the specs for the series06 wheels Forest River has used for some time:

Series 06 Product Information

The AL-KO 3500# axles are available with several bolt patterns. If you have 3500# axles you will have to change the hub to a 6 X 5.5 pattern and then buy wheels and tires:

http://www.al-kousa.com/pdf/U19_U29_U35_2200-2900lb.pdf

Trailer Hub Assembly - 3,500-lb Axles - 6 on 5-1/2 Dexter Trailer Hubs and Drums 84655UC1

Good luck finding replacement AL-KO replacement hubs. You will most likely have to use Dexter hubs. They are interchangeable as long as you get hubs with the same spindle and bearing diameters:

Can a Dexter Hub and Drum Assembly Replace an AL-KO Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly | etrailer.com

Here is the question answered for a 5200-6000 axle bolt pattern conversion. Same would apply for the 3500 axles, but obviously with the appropriate parts.

Switching 5 Spoke Hub to 6 Bolt | etrailer.com

[SnoSheriff]

The center hub makes it hard to measure with the measuring tape. Got any tips? I have 8 bolt pattern on my current 15" rims.

[SnoSheriff]

I will pull the wheel off and measure the holes across...

Speaking of that. Can I jack up the trailer? If so, where do I place the jack?

I know that I could just drive the front or rear wheels onto planks and suspend the wheels...

[Glenn5995]

Originally Posted by SnoSheriff

The center hub makes it hard to measure with the measuring tape. Got any tips? I have 8 bolt pattern on my current 15" rims.

I don't believe I have seen 15" trailer wheels with an 8 bolt pattern. 15" wheels are usually either 5 bolt (5 X 4.5; 5 X 5.0) or 6 bolt (6 X 5.5). 16" wheels are usually either 6 bolt (6 X 5.5) or 8 bolt (8 X 6.5).

Trailer Wheels

[Chewie]

You have 8 lug hubs on a factory 15? The reason I ask is I have a 2012 30qbss and it's got the 6x5.5" bolt pattern with the factory 225/75st15 tires. Also the Michelin LTX/MS 2's are great tires but the are not rated for trailer use. I would not use them as a trailer tire. For the tow vehicle yes.

[SnoSheriff]

Doh, too many pepsi's

You guys are absolutely right. I just went out to check and take some pics.

The attached pics show 6 bolt pattern. In the last one (showing the tire size) you will notice couple sidewall cuts...

[SnoSheriff]

Chewie; How do you like the 2012 30QBSS? We really like ours. We only wish that we got the outside shower option. Do you have that on your TT?

How do you like that 2012 F350 PSD? I pull with 2006 F350 PSD and I'm thinking of getting newer diesel Ford or Dodge Ram...

[Chewie]

I love the TT, we do have the outside shower which is great with the kids to Decon them before they get into the camper. Keep your 2006, I traded in my 2006 on the 12 and I've had nothing but transmission issues. Going through the lemon law process now. Next TV is a cummins.

[SnoSheriff]

Guys, do you know if these trailers can be jacked up?

Off topic...
Chewie - That sucks

That's exactly why we want the shower. Where is the outside shower located? Is that something that could be added to an existing TT that doesn't have it?

[Chewie]

Jack on frame rail in front or rear of wheel. The outdoor shower is on the left rear corner right by the city water connection.

[SnoSheriff]

I checked my TT VIN sticker and the TT registration. It looks like I have 2011 30QBSS that was manufactured in 2010... I corrected my signature...

[Glenn5995]

Originally Posted by SnoSheriff

Doh, too many pepsi's

You guys are absolutely right. I just went out to check and take some pics.

The attached pics show 6 bolt pattern. In the last one (showing the tire size) you will notice couple sidewall cuts...

6 bolt with a 15" wheel should be a 6 X 5.5 bolt pattern. That will make the conversion to 16" wheels easy as 16" wheels are available with the 6 X 5.5 pattern.

Originally Posted by Chewie

You have 8 lug hubs on a factory 15? The reason I ask is I have a 2012 30qbss and it's got the 6x5.5" bolt pattern with the factory 225/75st15 tires. Also the Michelin LTX/MS 2's are great tires but the are not rated for trailer use. I would not use them as a trailer tire. For the tow vehicle yes.

X2! Maxxis or BFG Commercial T/As would be a better choice for trailer tires IMHO.

[Chewie]

Here are the pics for the outside shower you requested.











Here they spliced off the city water and somewhere they spliced off the hot.

[SnoSheriff]

Thanks for the pics Chewie. I'll have to find a place to tap into the hot water line. Otherwise it looks pretty straight forward.

What's a good online place to order my new wheels? I want to get aluminum or machined wheels...

[buffalohunter]

Have you looked at etrailer.com? They have a pretty good selection. They have been a really good company to deal with over the last couple of years for me.

[12vdzl]

I recently upgraded my wheels on my Salem 30' with bunk slide and ss. We upgraded to L/R E, alloy wheels. Found wheels and tires for 550 otd. Ours were purchased as factory take off's.

Were located in MI, if you're curious for the information just hollar or google "camper surplus dealers"

[SnoSheriff]

Thanks everyone. I ended up buying a set from DiscountTire.

• 16" Raceline wheels 870 trailer - 16X6, 6-139.7 (6-5.5"), 0 offset, Gloss Black Machined Face
• Michelin LTX M/S tires - LT225/75 R16E
• 1/2" Gorilla wheel installation lug nut kit
• Chrome center caps
• Chrome valve stems
• Tires mounted on the wheels, Nitrogen filled

I installed the new wheels in ND and drove on them to WI so far. I pulled the camper at 65-70mph and the new setup performed great. These Raceline wheels look MUCH better in real life than the internet pics. I'll post some pics when I get back home from my vacation. In summary, I'm very happy with the new setup.

Yes, I know that these are pickup tires. I used to have an Airstream. I did lots of reading on the Airforum. Many Airstream guys have switched to the Michelin LTX M/S tires. I decided to do the same...

[SnoSheriff]

Here are some pics of the before and after.