Questions regarding a 1974 Hyster lowboy trailer (78k rated)

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by montrose818, Jun 16, 2019.

  1. montrose818

    montrose818 Light Load Member

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    [​IMG]

    Not my trailer, but similar.

    I have two questions on one of these trailers..

    1. It looks to have a split rim. I need new tires, and have read about converting to a 17.5" rim and tubeless tires. How doable is that? Is it possible to just swap out axles to a newer style, or that would be a very $$$ project?

    2. It looks like I only have a single brake air chamber - so no spring brakes. Can dual chambers be retrofitted?

    Thank you
     
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  3. BoxCarKidd

    BoxCarKidd Road Train Member

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    The 17.5.s with new rims bolt right on. Install double chambers and replace the relay valve. There is one valve that will do everything now. It is eight sided and plastic in the middle. No do not know the number.
    An axle for a standard trailer is about $1200 from Great Dane. Has shoes and cams. Never replaced one with the small tires but it may be the same.
     
    MartinFromBC and spsauerland Thank this.
  4. montrose818

    montrose818 Light Load Member

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    Thanks. Will any 6 lug 17.5 trailer dually wheel work, or do I need a special lug pattern? Any cheapbsource you recommend, seeing about 170 per wheel, was hoping to find it cheaper but not sure what spec wheel I am looking for.

    And to add one more question, reading that the 17.5 tires don't like heat and speed, well I am in South California so heat is definitely an issue, can I throw 22.5s or there will more than likely be clearance issues? Or 22.5 in 6 lug not even an option?

    Will look for that valve. Thank you
     
    Last edited: Jun 16, 2019
  5. BoxCarKidd

    BoxCarKidd Road Train Member

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    Shoot us a picture of the hub. I would expect it to have Dayton style hubs.
    Are there any 6 lug 17.5 rims?
    22.5's will not fit. Some good tires like Bridgestone's for that application will be fine.
     
  6. montrose818

    montrose818 Light Load Member

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    Bit late on the pic but this is what I am dealing with. I dont see how different wheels will fit because the hub surface is too far out.

    I see a lot of trailers around SoCal still running this older style wheel, but if it doesnt cost an arm and a leg I would like to convert.
     

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  7. MartinFromBC

    MartinFromBC Road Train Member

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    Get out your calipers and measure the studs diameter from stud to stud. Then measure with a tape measure the clearance in the area the tires sit, and the tires you want to buy.
    So if you say are looking at tires that are 41 inches across and the area they run is 44 inches across you are good to go.
     
  8. BoxCarKidd

    BoxCarKidd Road Train Member

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    You can change them to the 17.5 Dayton tubeless rim with the correct tire. Even run them side by side with the 15 inch tube tire.
    These are not the same tires that go on the lighter weight 17.5 disc wheels. You can not change the hubs on that axle to 17.5 or 19.5 disc wheels.
    Any other change would be expensive.
     
    Intothesunset Thanks this.
  9. montrose818

    montrose818 Light Load Member

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    Thank you. Are the 17.5 tires better, to warrant the change in wheels?
     
  10. BoxCarKidd

    BoxCarKidd Road Train Member

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    I thank you can get radial or bias tires for both.
    If I were a local yocal sometimes operator I might just use the less expensive 15 inch bias tires with tubes instead of buying rims.
    Over the road I would want the 17.5 tubeless radials.
    The 15's are lock ring tires. Out on the road you may not even find someone that would put a tire on them anymore.
    Call locally and price all that stuff. 15 inch tire, tube, flap and labor. 17.5 tire, valve stem, rim and labor. If you are keeping this there may not be any difference after two sets of tires.
    You do not have to change them all at the same time. Do you have room to carry a spare?
    Split rim and lock ring rims are different animals.
    Personally I hate tube type tires anymore. Even the container companies are going away from them.
     
  11. montrose818

    montrose818 Light Load Member

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    Thanks, local quoted 250/tube/tire for the 15s, will shop around for the 17.5s.

    I am local. You are right about working on them, one of my mobile tire guys says he stopped doing them.

    I still do not understand how new wheels will mount? The Wheel Mounting Surface is located in the outer wheel, not centered between the two?
     
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