tent trailer wheel/tire conversion - ATVConnection.com ATV Enthusiast Community

wraith13 · #1 (**permalink**) 04-04-2009, 02:36 PM

I have an old motorcycle tent trailer and want to convert the tires/wheels in order to use it with my utv. It presently has 8in trailer tires and they are 4.5in wide. Any ideas on how much trouble it would be to convert. I don't mind using the rims on it if I can find an atv tire narrow enough. cheers, John

Trasher · #2 (**permalink**) 04-05-2009, 04:35 PM

Man, you might want to start over because it will be a lot of work. You could build a platform over the top of the fenders but the weight will be placed pretty high for such a short wheel base. I think the axle can handle one quad but making it wider is not easy and you have to make sure it strong

wraith13 · #3 (**permalink**) 04-05-2009, 05:11 PM

I don't want to carry my utv with it. I have a utility trailer for that....I want to tow the camper behind my utv.

Trasher · #4 (**permalink**) 04-06-2009, 01:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wraith13

I don't want to carry my utv with it. I have a utility trailer for that....I want to tow the camper behind my utv.

My bad.... You should be able to get wider tires for that 8" hub. I had some on my older Jetski trailer. Using the ones you have are good for 2 reasons: 1- Light weight 2- you don't have to pay for new ones!

JeffinTD · #5 (**permalink**) 04-06-2009, 07:43 AM

Your ute would probably drag that trailer over whatever you encounter as it is, but it wouldn't do the trailer much good.

You might be able to find some fatter wheel barrow tires that are spongier or taller, many of which are airless.

Another possibility for 8" wheels would be golf cart wheels. Dirt Devil makes a 22x11x8 mud tire. Also, Duro Desert 20x10x8. Would need wider rims, though...

TLC · #6 (**permalink**) 04-06-2009, 08:35 AM

We just switched a small trailer with some old 23"x8-11 Honda rims and tires we bought cheap. We put the nearly flush off set inside towards the trailer (Air stem inside not out). The Hub hole had to be filed larger buy only a 1/16th( was not hard) to fit over trailer hub.

The 4 stud holes did not line up so we used the slitted vent holes next to the stud holes instead with heavy large washers and tightened them down until the washers squished and formed into place. Worked out great.

Were thinking of tack welding the washers to the rims in the future. The 5 psi ATV tires keep the trailer from bouncing over the rough stuff but allows it to claw over smoothly instead.

You could also buy the correct bolt pattern hub for the ATV rim and put it on your trailer,they are cheap on e bay.

wraith13 · #7 (**permalink**) 04-07-2009, 12:07 PM

Can you install atv tires in a trailer rim? The hole are 4in and are four hole....most atv rimes are 4.3in/110mm. I don't want to change the hubs, but I can lengthen the axle.

John

TLC · #8 (**permalink**) 04-07-2009, 12:37 PM

No we had to use the old Honda ATV rims, but we filed the hub center hole larger and you can file the stud holes larger as well then use heavy washers, but we just used the ATVs rim's handy vent hole next to the stud holes with washers and torqued them down good (On the 300 Fortrax rims/tires we used).

Worked great since the Hub hole carries the trailer load and the studs and washer just has to keep the wheel on the hub.

Here is a pic of a ATV with the front rims we used. Notice the trangle holes next to the stud holes. Using them saved us more filing. , In our case the ATV hole needed only a 1/16 reeming with a file to get it to fit on the trailer's hub.

LOL I Fianally found out how to post a pic. Yay Hoo!