[VAC] Re: Wheel Question

["Dr. Gerald N. Johnson, electrical engineer" <geraldj@xxxxxxxxxx>]

There might be some wheel identification stamps on each wheel. Might be
only a letter or a number stamped somewhere in the wheel. Might be only
visible inside the rim with the tires off. That marking may be
identified in SAE handbooks. Otherwise the wheels may be after market
wheels or car or truck wheels.

The hazard of light weight wheels is that they will flex under the
trailer load and the flexing may lead to wheel fracture. Wheels that
flex may also lead to premature tire wear at the bead as the rim moves
relative to the tire. This would show up as not holding air well as the
tires age. For most of us, trailer tires die of weather aging before
they start to wear at the bead or on the tread.

If the wheel flex isn't concentrated it won't break soon. If the wheel
flex is concentrated its a sign of failure sooner rather than later and
there should be loss of finish at the flexing points.

Lots of vintage Airstreams used wheels with baby moon hubcaps. Those on
my '68 Caravel are more like pickup wheels with the hubcap supports you
describe.

A wheel breaking on the road will do trailer damage. The wheel wells
leave little room for wobble.

A good wheel speciality store may be able to identify your wheels and
offer a better deal on heavy duty trailer wheels than your AS dealer.

Gerald J.