Casita Wheel backspace

[Allen Moss]

Hey Y'all,
We are looking for a 1990 + or - Casita 17 ft Freedom. Some of the time I plan on pulling it to Street Rod car shows. I want to replace the OEM wheels with a set of Crager Super Sport spoke wheels. Can anyone tell me what the backspace is on the OEM wheels. I don't want to order these custom wheels without knowing for sure. Thank you.
Have Fun,
Allen
Ocala,Florida

[Matt in SV]

You might need to explain what backspace is.

Regards,

Matt

[Greg H]

Most of us know what backspace is, but I think I would worry more about finding the trailer before I worried about custom wheels. Maybe that's just me.

[Donna D.]

I'm with Greg. You may find the perfect trailer at the perfect price and the bolt pattern is different than the custom wheels you've spent good money on and are now in the garage as boat anchors. Be patient, it may pay off.

But Crager SS will be really cool!

[JOHN BUSCH]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

I'm with Greg. You may find the perfect trailer at the perfect price and the bolt pattern is different than the custom wheels you've spent good money on and are now in the garage as boat anchors. Be patient, it may pay off.

But Crager SS will be really cool!

Response you looking for is 'zero-offset'

[Allen Moss]

OK, I guess I need to explain. The offset on a wheel is the measurement between the mounting pads and the centerline of the wheel. Some wheels may have positive offset and some may have negative offset. Zero offset is when the tire will be positioned over the center line of the wheel therefor = Zero offset.
What I am looking for is the backspacing of a OEM (stock Casita 15 in)wheel. The backspacing is measured by removing a wheel from the vehicle and laying it on a flat surface with the back (the side facing the brakes) facing up. Then lay a straightedge acoss the wheel right to left. You must make sure that the straightedge is not lifted in any way by the tire - it must be laying on the steel of the wheel. Now measure from the bottom of the straightedge to one of the wheel pads. This measurement is the backspacing for that wheel.
In the not to distant future we will be locating a Casita 17 ft Freedom or maybe a spirit. We will be using this to attend street rod shows from time to time. I will be pulling it with a 32 Ford extended cab pickup street rod. The wheel size I am using on this truck is 15 inch with a bolt pattern of 5 on 4 1/2 and a backspace of 3 inches. A 15 inch wheel with the 5 on 4 1/2 bolt pattern is a standard wheel size for many trailers. I am wanting to know what the backspacing of an OEM (stock) Casita wheel measures. I would like to know that the wheels of the trailer are compatible with the truck. I am planing on using Crager SS mags on the truck and after I find out what the backspace is on the Casita stock wheel I may be ordering replacement wheel for the trailer. I feel it would be nice to know that the spare on each vehicle is compatible with the other before the panic of needing a second spare takes place. I have, in the past, driven tractor trailer cross country for many years and know that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. If one finds themselves out in the middle of no ware and in need of a second spare ---an ounce of prevention is worth ten pounds of cure ! ! ! ! Thank you for your feed back.
Have Fun
Allen

[Donna D.]

Allen, at one time I went down the same path as you. I wanted the wheels on the trailer to match the tug and only carry one spare. I found it wouldn't work quite like that, due to the backspacing. Yep the wheels on the tug have a large backspace to clear the hubs (disc brakes), which made the tug spare incompatible with the trailer which needs a zero-backspace. So, even though the wheels now match, I have to carry two spares. Sigh. It wasn't the end of the world. I spent quite a bit of money having Corvette Rally wheels made with a Ford bolt pattern and zero offset for the trailer. I bought the cheapest wheel and spare I could and the best ground tires I could afford for the trailer. I carry the spare in the back of the truck. It doesn't hang off the back of the trailer, so no one knows I only have two matched wheels. AND, I haven't had to use the spare (yet).

Aren't we hotrodders a strange breed? So very visual and the lengths and expense we are willing to go through!

This isn't mine, I have a 1953 Ford Panel... but have you seen this pic? Tweety Bird and 1954 Ford PU

Here's a really good website with pictures and methods for measuring that explain backspacing: http://www.fourwheeler.com/techartic.../photo_01.html

[Joe Z]

What John says...... "Zero Offset"
Joe

[Lizbeth]

Originally Posted by Donna D.

Aren't we hotrodders a strange breed? So very visual and the lengths and expense we are willing to go through!

It's not just you hotrodders. Eric is hemming and hawing over buying the trailer tires because he wants to (someday) put an heavier axle on the trailer and get wheels and tires that match the truck but.... right now the trailer has to have new tires to be towed and I hate the wheels it came with.

And don't get me started on the wheels and tires needed for our son's autocross car....

[Donna D.]

I feel for you Lizbeth, honestly. Fortunately both my classic and trailer wheels are painted, not alloys and not chrome. So even if I decide to change tug color, I can also change the color of the wheels or maybe something complimentary.

I'm sure a psychologist has a special name for us!

[Lizbeth]

Donna, I think for now spray paint is in the wheels future. Maybe some hubcaps or moons? I could probably live with that.

[Greg H]

Originally Posted by Lizbeth

Donna, I think for now spray paint is in the wheels future. Maybe some hubcaps or moons? I could probably live with that.

Get the Moon's, get the Moon's I want the Moon's on the truck and the trailer.

[Andy B]

Originally Posted by Allen Moss

OK,
What I am looking for is the backspacing of a OEM (stock Casita 15 in)wheel.

I will be pulling it with a 32 Ford extended cab pickup street rod. The wheel size I am using on this truck is 15 inch with a bolt pattern of 5 on 4 1/2 and a backspace of 3 inches. A 15 inch wheel with the 5 on 4 1/2 bolt pattern is a standard wheel size for many trailers.
I feel it would be nice to know that the spare on each vehicle is compatible with the other before the panic of needing a second spare takes place.
Allen

If you change the trailer axle, you can have any backspace on the wheels that you want. All you have to do is specify the length of the axle so that with your 3 inch wheel backspace the tires are the same distance apart as the originals. Then you only need 1 spare and the problem is solved.

Andy

[Frederick L. Simson]

Originally Posted by Lizbeth

I think for now spray paint is in the wheels future. Maybe some hubcaps or moons? I could probably live with that.

When I bought the Compact Jr. the 2 wheels were quite rusty. I wire brushed and spray painted them and added full wheel covers. I guess they looked OK for being cheap. I had to buy a spare which didn't match but the wheel covers hid that.


I took the 5 wheels on the Fiber Stream to a friend's shop where (after motorized wire brushing) he let me soda-blast and powder-coat them, and then I bought Baby Moons off eBay. My $-cost was about the same for each trailer, but the wire-brushing + Soda-blasting was more labor intensive.

[Borden]

What about tire type ST for special trailer?
eg. mine ar st205r14