Trailer bling

Rogue Wave · 19 April 2010, 10:18

i'm minded to put some alloy wheels on my trailer, but something, which I can't recall, is telling me NO!. IS it OK and legal or is their a load bearing issue.

Obviously I'd be looking at C rated tyres

I understand the rools are different for hard boats

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgur...ed=0CCMQ9QEwBg

m chappelow · 19 April 2010, 10:34

i have visions of an amber flashing light and a motorway maintainance sticker on the back along with a few horse shoes stuck on the boats side,,,LOL

BogMonster · 19 April 2010, 11:24

I've seen a for sale ad for a RIB with alloys on the trailer a while back.

I guess the concern is damage to the lacquer coating and immersion in salt causing the wheels to turn to white powder (as normal non marine grade 'loominum tends to do in salt water) which isn't very good at holding things up, but I can't immediately see why that would be worse than steel wheels turning into red flakes.

You can get some very strong alloys in 4x4 sizes (there is one available for LRs that is rated at 1400kg per wheel, though that is exceptional), but whether you can get them in 13in sizes that would suit a boat trailer may be another matter?

9D280 · 19 April 2010, 11:27

Possibly that you come back from your day's ribbing and find the wheels are now on some local ned's Ford Escort?

Also I guess theres salt water corrosion issues you w(sh)ouldn't get on a car.....

doggypaddle · 19 April 2010, 12:23

I think you may have problems with corrosion of the galvanic variety!
at least with steel wheels everyting should be the same material.
alloys are difficult enough to get off cars sometimes, and they haven't been in the sea!
A liberal coating of waxoyl would help, but they wouldnt look bling then

Rogue Wave · 19 April 2010, 12:28

thats understood

I'm going to get a triple axle trailer built for my heavy Commercial Avon. I hadn't thought about corrosion as mostly the boat gets craned in and out but it's a fair point. My reason for going with Alloys is not really for Bling its cos my axles take VW transporter wheels and you can get a good set of alloys/commercial tyres at a reasonable price

Thanks for the replys so far

Erin · 19 April 2010, 20:26

They probably wouldn't last as long as steels and are obviously more expensive, but I have seen them recently on someone's trailer so it is possible.

jyasaki · 20 April 2010, 16:45

I would think they'd last longer than steel rims. No rusting. Unless you nail a curb at speed, that is.

Use a good quality, aluminum compatible anti-seize product on the face that mates with the hubs, and it would be a good idea to put it between the lug nuts and the rim as well (I usually smear the studs with it to keep the lug nuts from locking up to the studs. Some people say the threads should not be lubed, but I disagree with that.)

jky

I should add that the advice above is used on the tow vehicle - my trailer has steel wheels.