Q: How do I determine which wheel I need?

A: A great deal of consideration should be given when selecting trailer wheels. Whether it is for a landscape trailer, cargo trailer, RV, or travel trailer, it’s extremely important that you choose the right wheel for your specific trailer demands. When combining wheels, tires, hubs, and axles, the load-carrying capacity is limited to whichever component has the lowest weight rating. Load capacities relate specifically to generally accepted standard axle applications for conventional trailers used in normal highway service, loaded equally, side-to-side. Unusual axle configurations, unequal force and offloading, or overload conditions can cause premature failure of wheels, tires, and/or other parts. Here is an example designed to help you choose the right wheel: If your trailer has a 3.5K (3,500 lb) axle, you need to make sure each wheel is rated at 1,750 lbs. Therefore, when you combine the rating of two wheels they equal 3,500 lbs. It is important to remember that the combined wheel rating must equal or exceed your axle’s capacity.

Q: How do I determine wheel bolt pattern?

A: For the wheel to fit properly, you must know the number of wheel bolts in the hub and bolt circle. To determine the bolt circle on wheels with an even number of bolt holes, you should measure center-to-center on bolt holes directly across from each other on the diameter (example: 8 on 6-1/2 would mean 8-bolt holes with 6-1/2" center-to-center diameter). On odd number bolt wheels, you should measure any bolt hole center to the point halfway between bolt holes on the diameter (example: 5 on 4-1/2 would mean 5-bolt holes with 4-1/2" measure to a point halfway between the opposite bolts).

Q: What is wheel offset and how do I determine?

A: Wheel offset refers to the location of a wheel's rim in relation to the wheel's center disc. The rim can be centered on the disc or it can be offset to either side. The position of the disc inside the rim determines where the tire lines up – either closer to or farther from the vehicle or trailer on which it is mounted. Trailer wheels usually have zero offset, meaning that the rim of a trailer wheel lines up directly under the center disc of the wheel. This alignment puts the tire directly over the center of the disc, giving the wheel and tire combination the greatest ability to handle load. To determine if your trailer wheels have an offset, remove a wheel from your trailer and measure from the mounting surface of the wheel disc (where the wheel mounts to the hub) to the inside and outside beads. The difference between these two measurements is the offset. Because some trailer wheel offsets can be as small as 5 mm, they can be difficult to measure. If you can't measure the wheel, contact your nearest Redneck branch for assistance.

Important wheel terminology:

Offset = distance between the mounting face of the disc and rim centerline

Inset = distance when the mounting face is outboard of the rim centerline

Outset = distance when the mounting face is inboard of the rim centerline

Q: How do I measure rim width?

A: Rim width is the measurement inside of the rim flanges (aka bead seat) from inside the flange on one side to inside the flange on the other side.

Q: How do I measure rim diameter?

A: Rim diameter is determined by measuring the diameter of the inner bead seat, not the diameter of the outer rim edge.

Q: Rim diameter is determined by measuring the diameter of the inner bead seat, not the diameter of the outer rim edge.

A: These are “wheels” that have no center. They use rim clamps to hold them on the hub or drum. They were commonly used on mobile home axles years ago. You still see them on some equipment trailers but they are used infrequently today.

Q: How do I determine which hubcaps will fit my wheel?

A: There are no industry standards for which caps fit which wheels. Refer to the Dexter catalog for specific hubcap/wheel fit information.