Offroad Trailer Questions regarding wheels, bolt pattern, etc

[HudsonZRoamer]

So I will be getting the FreeSpirit Recreation Offroad trailer with Timbren axle-less suspension. (see pic below) This trailer dry weighs in at around 690lbs. I plan on installing a RTT (180lbs), ARB Fridge, Aux battery, solar panel, and other random gear for my trips. With all the gear and tent should come out to about 1100 lbs give or take. My brakes are all high performance/quality and I run slotted rotors all around.

The trailer ships with a different bolt pattern than whats on my rig and I have asked the company to switch out the hub to match my bolt pattern (5x100) so that it matches and I dont have to carry two spare tires. I have contacted eTrailer in regards to possibly purchasing electric brakes that will bolt right up to the Timbren suspension according to them I would have to replace my hub to something like this that they sell. They said in order to run the brakes I would: " just add the Trailer Hub and Drum Assembly with 8 on 6-12 Bolt Pattern" . But by installing this hub then it would not be the 5x100 compatible with what I wanted. eTrailer did not recommend me to run "the same wheels/tires" as whats on my passenger vehicle as the sidewalls are not as strong. I dont think he realized I had an offroad rig and am currently running Cooper STT Pro MT tires.

Any advice you guys could offer would be awesome. I am very familiar with offroad building and modifications but this is my first trailer and I want to do it right the first time moving forward.

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[The_Just]

Brother, I've gone down this hole for two years with Timbren and this, almost exact setup. Feel free to read my posts or PM me and I'm happy to give you the run down. [emoji106]

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[HudsonZRoamer]

Brother, I've gone down this hole for two years with Timbren and this, almost exact setup. Feel free to read my posts or PM me and I'm happy to give you the run down. [emoji106]

Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk

Wow this is beginning to seem like its a huge PITA to get this to work. haha

 

[HudsonZRoamer]

I could just use a 5x4.5 (5x114.3) to 5x100 adapter cant see the harm in that. 5x100 and 5x114.3 are lug patterns typically used by Subarus.

 

[Captain Chaos]

I think you'll be just fine using an adapter. Cool rig by the way!

 

[Graeman]

I would just use adapters on the trailer. The little bit of weight that you are carrying is no where near the limits of wheel spacers that are used on vehicles. Is the reason for doing this so that you can buy 8 tires & wheels of the same size and bolt pattern? Are you planning on rotating all 8 tires around when it comes time or do you plan on having many, many flats while out on the trails?

 

[The_Just]

Adapters do work, but you will likely need to modify them. Trailer hubs are conical, not cylindrical like auto hubs. The hub also sticks out several inches which means your wheel will need to have a large enough center bore to fit the hub or you will need to reduce the circumference of the bearing housing or move the wheels outward (thicker adapter) until it will mount flush.

I tried 5*4.75 (5*120.6) and the bolt pattern worked for me, but due to the conical hub and a small-ish wheel center bore, I would need spacers anyways.

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[HudsonZRoamer]

So Update to this.
From Timbren:

"If you have to have the same wheels on all of the time for the right look, you will need to run adapters full time.

The only problem with adapters is that they keep making the spindle longer which causes more flex and possible failure so we have to keep it as short as possible.

You would probably use the spindle designed for highway tires and the adapter would add the necessary length to clear the tires from the frame."

I was able to find a 5x114 in the exact same wheel I use on my rig. I use the Sparco Terra 16" 5x100 on my rig/spare and they make a Sparco Terra 16" in a 5x114 (5x4.5) bolt pattern with a +45 offset. So at this point I emailed Timbren back to see if the offset of these wheels would work. I would would just keep an extra wheel spacer on me to use if my trailer had a flat and I needed to use the 5x100 full size spare on my trailer.

 

[HudsonZRoamer]

I would just use adapters on the trailer. The little bit of weight that you are carrying is no where near the limits of wheel spacers that are used on vehicles. Is the reason for doing this so that you can buy 8 tires & wheels of the same size and bolt pattern? Are you planning on rotating all 8 tires around when it comes time or do you plan on having many, many flats while out on the trails?

I will have a total of 7 tires, 1 being the full size spare. I am trying to not have to carry two full size spares. I do not plan on rotating all 7 tires, doing this on a AWD vehicle is challenging. I used to rotate in my 5th spare but stopped doing this for various reasons I could write a short book about. I do not plan on having many flats so thats why I just want one full size spare but I def want to run the same wheels .

 

[Anchor Mtn]

Using spacers is not a problem. Purchase spacers that are lug-centric and not hub-centric. Just make sure to check/torque your spacers after the first 50 miles and then every season or 5000 miles.

Nothing quite says nightmare like a 7 tire rotation on an AWD vehicle...Ever seen a tire tech break down and cry?? LOL.

 

[The_Just]

Keep in mind that the center bore is different and your adapters / spacers will likely require some machining to fit. I also got 3, 2 rolling, 1 spare, just in case.

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[grantwilson]

I could just use a 5x4.5 (5x114.3) to 5x100 adapter cant see the harm in that. 5x100 and 5x114.3 are lug patterns typically used by Subarus.

That is exactly what I would do in this situation. You will most likely need a 1.75-2" spacer to clear the trailer hub and the wheel bore


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[Johnnie Canuck]

Seems we all have the same issues when it comes to the Timbren axleless products! Fortunately the company I work for is a Timbren supplier. They gave me the advice I needed to go forward with my build and i now run fulltime spacers. Unfortunately i miss-calculated my offset and then required longer travel arms. ( so much for keeping the trailer width within the width of my bumper).

 

[HudsonZRoamer]

View attachment 21334 Seems we all have the same issues when it comes to the Timbren axleless products! Fortunately the company I work for is a Timbren supplier. They gave me the advice I needed to go forward with my build and i now run fulltime spacers. Unfortunately i miss-calculated my offset and then required longer travel arms. ( so much for keeping the trailer width within the width of my bumper).

what size spacer is that? 50mm? thanks for the pic that helps a lot!

 

[Johnnie Canuck]

what size spacer is that? 50mm? thanks for the pic that helps a lot!

Its a 2" adapter/ spacer that i had to get custom done..... But thats how it is when one won't compromise on keeping tires and wheels standard. If you haven't already, id talk to Timbren directly about your issue. My experience with them has me recommending them for their customer service in things like this.

 

[HudsonZRoamer]

Its a 2" adapter/ spacer that i had to get custom done..... But thats how it is when one won't compromise on keeping tires and wheels standard. If you haven't already, id talk to Timbren directly about your issue. My experience with them has me recommending them for their customer service in things like this.

I talked to Jeff last week at Timbren and since I am not personally building my trailer he recommended FSR contact them. He has been working with FSR for years and suggested he talk directly with them instead of relaying messages all over. He did say say that my +45 offset of the Sparco wheels as well as the Cooper STT Pro the offset would not be enough so most likely I would have to run spacers. If you dont mind how much did it run you for custom spacers?

 

[Johnnie Canuck]

It put me in the hole all said,(shipping, taxes) about $280 cdn. No wonder my build went over budget! To think, i call myself a professional....
I ordered from Adapterkings.com. It was the only place my parts guy could find that day. That being said, keep me posted on your build and dont be stingy on the pics!!

 

[HudsonZRoamer]

It put me in the hole all said,(shipping, taxes) about $280 cdn. No wonder my build went over budget! To think, i call myself a professional....
I ordered from Adapterkings.com. It was the only place my parts guy could find that day. That being said, keep me posted on your build and dont be stingy on the pics!!

Thank you sir. I'm not building the trailer Freespirit Recreation is just trying to figure out how to run my exact same wheel/tire setup as my rig.

 

[Johnnie Canuck]

Also, i lied. Its a 1.3" spacing not a 2".

 

[HudsonZRoamer]

View attachment 21334 Seems we all have the same issues when it comes to the Timbren axleless products! Fortunately the company I work for is a Timbren supplier. They gave me the advice I needed to go forward with my build and i now run fulltime spacers. Unfortunately i miss-calculated my offset and then required longer travel arms. ( so much for keeping the trailer width within the width of my bumper).

Which Timbren setup did you purchase? I'm going to running 2k standard (not HD) on mine. Timbren stated the standard does not come with long spindles.