16" Trailer rims on a vehicle, OK?

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MoCoNative

MoCoNative

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Been looking for rims for my 40. I have found some spoked rims and rims with holes around the perimeter for use on trailers. They can be had for 40-50 bucks and are 16x6, a perfect size for tall and skinny 16" tires on a 40. But they say for trailer use only in their descriptions. They can be found on trailer parts supply sites. However, the weight ratings equal or exceed the weight ratings for typical white spoke wheels, and they look to be about identical to most aftermarket rims.

So my question is, will these be adequate on a 40. What are the real issues with using a "trailer" rim on a vehicle?

I can't see any problems myself, a modular rim is a modular rim, and if they are rated for more weight in a trailer application, they must be strong enough. Only issue is center hole diameter, but these appear to be large enough, not all are.

Example of what I'm looking at: http://www.southwestwheel.com/store/p-400-nw128700ms.aspx

Please enlighten me mud folks.
 
In principal what you're saying makes sence. Trailers don't accelerate or turn as sharply though.

For my money I'd not risk it to save a couple of bucks. The whitespokes I'm running only cost me about $40 each... Although they're 15x8.
 
bikersmurf said:
For my money I'd not risk it to save a couple of bucks.
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Pffft. Run 'em. Make sure the backspacing is right and they'll fit over your brakes. You might want to get one first as a test, then return it or get the others.

One thing about 16" tires is that they're mostly Load Range D, which means stiff sidewalls. There are some Yokohama's in Load Range C, or if you're running some swampers or something, you're golden.
 
Interesting, let us know what you find out.
 
They would be fine I used some for awhile before and they were just like any other rim. They were white spoke 16x6 and had the trailer tires on them too, measured 32x 11.5, no big deal, seemed like any other tire, I ended up moving on even though I still have that set as spares.
 
bikersmurf said:
Trailers don't turn as sharply though..
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I would say the trailer is way harder on wheels.

Do you tow? Have you ever looked at you rims/tires when backing around a sharp corner? I have damm near rolled tires off of rims on trailers cuz of scrub. Even worse on 3 axle trailers.

I am sure you will be fine. It most likely says "trailer use only" for insurance purposes. Insurance for making "trailer" parts is most likely less expensive than ins for parts with people riding on them.

So if you kill a wheel, you cant sue them.:whoops:
 
So any other thoughts on this. I haven't found anything else on the web that says this is a no-no. Seems they are listed as trailer rims because there is probably no market for a narrow rim with minimal backspacing on vehicles anymore. Looking through the wheels at US Wheel, they seem to all be constructed the same in their respective models.

Any opinion on how that would look on a 40. I have 15 inch white spokers right now, they were cool when I first put them on many years ago, and looked sharp with the hardtop on. But now I'm running a gray vinyl paki top, and they just look too bright and out of place with the gray top, and my bumpers and running boards are rustoleum smoke gray too. They match the top quite nicely. I thought the silver modular rims with the holes instead of spokes would be a nice look.
 
To me if the manufacturer list them as trailer I won't run them. I think I would look for the spare wheels from mini 4X4s or 4Runners and paint them the color you want. Arn't the steel wheels on the FJ Cruiser close to these also. Looks like there are other options to get what you want. Or write the manufacturer and ask why they are for trailers only. I doubt they will write back and say they think there is no market. Probably has something to do with DOT testing for trailers and not motor vehicles. If you want tall skinny 16" inch wheels you could always look for some FJ25 wheels those would be different.
 
Chop Shop said:
I would say the trailer is way harder on wheels.

Do you tow? Have you ever looked at you rims/tires when backing around a sharp corner? I have damm near rolled tires off of rims on trailers cuz of scrub. Even worse on 3 axle trailers.

I am sure you will be fine. It most likely says "trailer use only" for insurance purposes. Insurance for making "trailer" parts is most likely less expensive than ins for parts with people riding on them.

So if you kill a wheel, you cant sue them.:whoops:
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I've towed lots and in very tight spots. Have you ever seen a 40 jackknife a tandem axle trailer to turn around in a tight underground parking lot? I've done it!:hillbilly: And I've even driven a trailer home on three tires. The stakes of loosing a trailer wheel are far smaller.


I totally agree that it's all about liability and if it were for a trail rig I'd wholeheartedly say go for it. However (to play the devils advocate) if a rim failed and you killed someone, who gets sued? You! And your insurance company then looks your truck over for reasons to not cover you... And don't think for a moment they won't. If they find a trailer wheel contributed to the damages, they will void your policy.

I've seen stock steel rims break apart, I'd not risk running trailer wheels on the street when there are alternatives.

This could of course be taken to an extreme with any modifications... Rims, however, are something I'd not risk. In a perfect world I'd like to have everyting DOT on my truck, but there are some things that I just can't get. It's always good to CYA whenever possible.

(If I could have bought a DOT approved adjustable brake proportioning valve I would have, but I had to settle for a Wilwood one.)
:cheers:

But hey, its your rig, do what you want.
 
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why run a "trailer wheel" on a vehicle? I'm sure there is more to the story "for trailer use only"..

There are other cheap solutions rather than a trailer wheel.
 
The trailer rims are fine, in fact I think they are even thicker than car or truck rims. Also white spoke wheels that seem out dated look just fine painted black, it can change the whole look of your rig for 15 bucks worth of spray paint.
 
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