changing wheel size on a ~1980 camper

[GunsMadeAmericaFree]

We recently purchased a camper from my grandmother - the same one that they took me camping in when I was a teen. It currently uses 8.75r16.5LT tires.
16.5" rims have become a LOT less common over the past 40 years, to the point where they are available for special order, but not commonly available at tire shops
you would find when driving cross country.

We are thinking that it would be a good idea to replace the old tires before we really start driving around in this thing in a month or so. However, I also started wondering
if it might be a good idea to update the wheels to a more standard 16" size before doing so. If we did, then we could use much more standard tires (such as 225/75r16) that
we would be able to find at just about any tire shop if we had road problems anywhere.

Is changing the wheels a simple process? Are there concerns we would need to keep in mind when changing wheel sizes? We're talking about only a half inch smaller, but I imagine
it could still cause some problems that I might not think of.

If anyone has suggestions, I'm all ears! - Thanks

 

[deadlyapp]

There are tire/wheel calculators out there, the most important thing is keeping the circumference of the tire very close to stock.

With that said, on wheels, you also need to make sure you get the right bolt pattern and correct offset to ensure you get brake clearance and don't stick too far out of the fender wells.

 

[Paperdoc]

Most related issues you can get lots of help from a good auto parts store. Things like:

Shape / size of the inner surface of the new wheel - does it fit onto the existing hubs?

Any "offset" of the new wheel - does the CENTRE LINE of the wheel match what the old one was?

Diameter of the hole in the wheel centre - match any protruding flange on the hub?

Spacing and circle radius of the wheel stud bolt holes - do they match your stud bolts?

Effective diameter of the wheel and tire - they need to match your old tire size within a few percent so that your speedometer and odometer give correct readings. Many tire shops (even on-line ones) have tire size calculation tools to check this. You enter the size of your old tire, and of your new one, and they tell you how closely they match for the number of inches of travel for one tire rotation.

In most cases you won;t have any trouble finding the right wheels and tires. Assuming you are not really trying to CHANGE the effective outer peripheral length of the tire (determined by diameter) or tire face width, you should have no problem getting them to fit into the existing wheel space.

Don't forget to get a matching SPARE.

 

[herm0016]

if its a camper and not a motor home, as long as the wheel fits the lugs and hub, does not rub on the trailer with suspension compression, you should be good to go. i would bring it to a tire shop and see if you can get some 16 in steel wheels with tires for it.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

I think everyone's already made good suggestions. The Rim Size, Center Bore Size, Bolt Pattern, and Offset all matter when it comes to finding a replacement wheel that will match your current application without contacting your brakes, the wheel well, or bumping the roof of the well during suspension travel.

I've normally seen the process go to 16" wheels, especially for trailers that don't tend to have massive brakes to begin with. I would first look to see if anyone has already done the work for you and has the wheel specifications for your model camper somewhere. If they don't, the metrics of the wheel may be stamped somewhere on the Rim itself. But if you can't find that, and can't find a solid resource on the full wheel metrics, then I'd just take it to a really good tire shop and have them earn their pay on a sale by measuring the wheel themselves and helping you find a good replacement with tires.

 

[deadlyapp]

if its a camper and not a motor home, as long as the wheel fits the lugs and hub, does not rub on the trailer with suspension compression, you should be good to go. i would bring it to a tire shop and see if you can get some 16 in steel wheels with tires for it.

I didn't think about it being a simple tow behind. I assumed it was a powered camper. You're right - the diameter doesn't matter if it's a simple tow behind.

 

[Torn Mind]

I believe they make wheel adapters and hub centric rings for that purpose.

US Wheel Adapters | Custom Wheel Adapters, Spacers & Hub Centric Rings

US Wheel Adapters - Custom Wheel Fitment since 2008Shop by Year and ModelWheel Adapters(Change bolt patterns; stud size) 4 to 4 Lug Adapters5 to 5 Lug

www.uswheeladapters.com