Boler Tire / Wheel Question

[Peter_Crowl]

I searched but couldn't find any relevant threads - aside from the recent Trillium 13-14 conversion thread.

My issue is with my '80 Boler 13
I need to replace the tires....and at least one rim as the spare wheel is rusted badly at the bead from sitting deflated and wet. All I can find are the white spoke rims. I'd like to avoid that look.

Now would be a good time to shop for nicer rims - styled wheels etc - but I'm concerned about the size as I seem to have clearance issues. On there now are 165 80 13's. I have about an inch or inch and a half of clearance to the front lip of the wheel well.

165's do not seem to be available any longer. 175's are. They stand about 1/2" taller than the 165 - should work but will be tight. The only commonly available 14" trailer tire is the 205 which stands 26" tall...a non starter.

All this is theory and specification. Has anybody in the real world been down this road?

Any advice appreciated!

Peter
in Denver

[Greg H]

Are you switching to 14" wheels? If so there should be plenty of choices.

[Kevin K]

Tire height chart Tire Height Chart

[Peter_Crowl]

Right - but now I'm totally confused because... the curb side tire/wheel is further outboard than the street side.
The street side wheel is inside the body lip. The curb side extends outboard of the lip.

This is the Boler with the axle that's spaced up on the street side - so at first I thought that had something to do with it - but - my '75 is exactly the same.

The curb side wheel/tire has minimal clearance due to the body lip interaction - the street side has a lot of room and could accomodate a 14.

Why do you suppose these are like this? I guess it could just be that the body wraps down on the street side - but regardless there's no room for a 26" tire.

[Peter_Crowl]

Fascinating

This is the '80 with a 175 - 80- 13 tire. About 3/4" clearance to the front lip and that's with the camper empty.

I suppose a replacement axle - which is on the list - built 0 degree would shift the wheel back another 3/4 to an inch.

How odd.

[LukeP]

You likely have seen references to, or even read RoyinTO's very helpful posting about his axle/wheel mods. He used 12" tires. He has a very detailed posting about it all.

http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...tml#post168305

[Peter_Crowl]

AH HA!
I do recall seeing that thread but it didn't come up in my search.
Mine is a trailing arm axle but the comparative tire sizes he shows is truly the guidance I need.

Thanks Luke!

[LukeP]

Originally Posted by Peter_Crowl

AH HA!
I do recall seeing that thread but it didn't come up in my search.
Mine is a trailing arm axle but the comparative tire sizes he shows is truly the guidance I need.

Thanks Luke!

No problem Peter! His work has been an enormous help to me, in figuring out options for an axle replacement, and tires to follow!

One addition thing, I did a quick search and found a number of 165/80R13 tires available online... some were more suited for a small zippy car, than a camper, but there are some. were you looking online, or local?

[Peter_Crowl]

Local - but I was made aware that one local - Peerless - has a 165 Bias Ply - Monday I'll stop by there and check it out.