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Hi all hope you are all enjoying the summer breaks. I have a question:-

I want to fit bigger wheels to my caravan. At the moment I have 13in wheels and wish to fit 14 or 15 in wheels. The reason is that I have bought an awning and it is the smallest that I can get from floor to floor. I have to run the van up on ramps to gain a couple of inches to take the awning up of the ground. How do you find out what axle in on the van so as you can get the right wheels that will centre on the studs? I have a 1991 Sprite Alpine Super 2 Berth. Anybody help me. your advice would be greatful. Donaidh  

Hi,Donaidh, there must be a few other ideas you could look at before ripping out yer axle?,Why not get the awning altered to fit your van? this could be a cheaper option,the wheels could be changed for bigger if you know the P.C.D (pitch circle diameter) of the wheel studs,this is an measurement from the centreline of the hub to the centreline of the wheelstuds,not sure if the Sprite Alpine has 4 or 5 studs,somewhere on your chassis should be a makers plate usually near the hitch area,possibly be a alko chassis, another thing to think about is, will a bigger wheel fit in the wheel arch?   You live in a beautiful place, but I bet its not heavily overburdened with caravan dealers that could help you out best of luck regards S/C

check for room in the wheel arch first before fitting larger wheels.if you have room there is no reason not to fit larger ones,15 inch is pushing it a bit.

http://www.tyreline.com/wheel_tyre_info/pcd_wheel_measurment.htm

Thanks for the info I will take it on board what you have said.

Yes SC I do live on a lovely island. At the moment we are getting a lot of caravans and motorhomes not forgetting the tent campers as well. This is due to the reduction on fares thru the RET program and the fact that we now have a Sunday ferry.

We have a few campsites here but I think now a few more will come up out of the ground soon on some crofts.."AIR DO SLAINTE"  To your good health.

I also live on an Island, please remember that larger diameter/ wider track equals more load on the bearings, can they take it long term.

After a blow out this year I am quite thankfull that I hav a large 4x4 as without it I could have been in some trouble on th M1.

i think you will find that most caravan wheel bearing are the same, mainly either solid state ot taiperd (wish i could spell), so i dont think you would have a wheel bearing problem, i think only a new axle would be needed if you were upping the weight limit.

mike

Thats the way it should work, it would be nice if the rest of the world followed but allas!!

Fitting bigger wheel will give a higher torsional load on the axle, fitting another is quite an undertaking, what about playing with tyre size but I dont think you can get the change required and that could led to more flex in the side wall,is it too crazy to cut and fit a zip or fit a fold into the awning or have I been drinking!

As suggested you will probably get away with the bearings if their in good condition to begin 14" would be ok I think but 15" might be like missing the ferry "dissapointing"   Timkin taper or Twin track bearings are strong things but I have seen some horror stories when fitting much big wheels to cars, bolts unable to take the load, bearings breaking up.

Does it also bring the question, is the van suspension ok or has it sunk a bit ?

Skol !