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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
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    Mt Waverley Vic 3149
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    81
    Posts
    44

    Default Faulty Caravan wheel

    _DSC7732.jpg_DSC7730.jpg

    Over the past 2 days this wheel has gradually gone flat. The only leak I can find is from this joint in the rim. As yet Ihave not removed the tyre.

    It is a 13" rim from an old 1977 Viscount pop-top caravan. We returned from a trip to Horsham in the van on Sunday evening and the tyre appeared fully inflated when we arrived home.

    Assuming that the cause is a rust hole or something similar in the rim- can that saftely be welded? Or should I just search the internet for a suitable replacement rim?

    I hope I have posted this in the right forum and am not wasting your time.

    Bob

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Far West Wimmera
    Age
    63
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    4,049

    Default

    It is probably an early Holden rim. Check availability and price. You can check rim type by measuring stud spacing and comparing with charts from the net. Some wheels have the type stamped in them. Just replace it. It is not worth fixing and given the location of the leak probably difficult or impossible to do successfully.

    Dean

  3. #3
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Albury
    Posts
    11

    Default

    I wouldn't be welding a wheel that has deteriorated to that extent. This is probably an old Holden wheel, they used to be very common on trailers and caravans. The stud pattern is 5 x 108mm (4-1/4"). I don't like your chances of finding a replacement, although Volvo used this pattern and you may find a Volvo mag wheel in 14" if you really look hard.

    Easiest way out of this would be to replace the hubs and bearings on the caravan with a new wheel stud pattern. 5 x 114.3 (4-1/2") would probably be the preferred stud pattern as, because it's so commonly used, getting wheels is easy.

    Hope this helps.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Yarra Valley Vic oz
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    1,995

    Default

    Is it tubed or tubeless?

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
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    Mt Waverley Vic 3149
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Bedford View Post
    Is it tubed or tubeless?

    Tubeless. I thought of puting in a tube but the if the rim is rusted inside it is probably not viable.

    Bob

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Mt Waverley Vic 3149
    Age
    81
    Posts
    44

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by aldav View Post
    I wouldn't be welding a wheel that has deteriorated to that extent. This is probably an old Holden wheel, they used to be very common on trailers and caravans. The stud pattern is 5 x 108mm (4-1/4"). I don't like your chances of finding a replacement, although Volvo used this pattern and you may find a Volvo mag wheel in 14" if you really look hard.

    Easiest way out of this would be to replace the hubs and bearings on the caravan with a new wheel stud pattern. 5 x 114.3 (4-1/2") would probably be the preferred stud pattern as, because it's so commonly used, getting wheels is easy.

    Hope this helps.
    I agree but the wheel well is built for 13" and while a 14" wheel might fit internally it would be a bitch trying to remove the wheel with the low wheel arch.

    Bob

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    East Warburton, Vic
    Posts
    357

    Default

    You should be able to pick up another rim fairly easy, mate of mine was able to buy a few of the early Holden rims from our tyre dealer and also was able to source others if needed by ringing a couple of trailer companies and car wreckers
    Cheers

    DJ

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Yarra Valley Vic oz
    Posts
    1,995

    Default

    IF it is a Holden 13 inch wheel these were last used in 1967 on the HR Holden.

    I doubt they were ever airtight for use with tubeless tires.

    Changing wheels and hubs etc, will also incur brake replacement at additional cost.

    Just get a tyre fitter to put a tube in it.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Murray Bridge S Aust.
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    71
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    5,942

    Default

    Hi Bob, if you're going to put a tube in it, I'd look at cleaning off the rust, as the flakes can and will work their way into the tube. DAMHIKT Probably cheaper to get another rim, and hopefully it won't be as bad. Just had a look on Gumtree and found quite a few for sale, priced from $25 upwards.
    Kryn
    To grow old is mandatory, growing up is optional.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Alexandra Vic
    Age
    69
    Posts
    654

    Default

    As mentioned earlier, rims that age (if it is 13in Holden) would be most likely made for tubed tyres though some of the final production years might have been suited to tubeless tyres. If the leak has just become significant recently, and particularly during or just after a trip, I suspect that it might be indicating the onset of fatigue cracks where the rim and wheel centre are spot welded together. I would suggest that the tyre be removed from the rim and the interior of the rim be examined for cracking prior to fitting a tube, just in case there are cracks.

    Replacement options include the 14 inch Volvo 242/244/245 wheels (1975 to 1982 approx). You mention body clearance and changing tyres etc, but should be able to work around that in one of two ways. The first is to identify and fit tyres of a different profile to retain an overall diameter similar to that of the 13in tyres. I have a Pug 306 with 185/65 x 14 tyres and a trailer on 13in Holden rims and tubed 175/75x 13 tyres. The car tyres are slightly broader and virtually the same diameter as the trailer tyres, and you could safely go to 175/65 x 14 on the 5.5inch Volvo rims, as that was standard for the rims until the 1978 model year.
    Alternatively, you could install a riser plate of about 1/2in between the spring and axle to lift the van body relative to the axle to retain clearance, but I think that you should be able to resolve the issue by juggling tyre profiles. Either involve some stuffing around, but certainly less than loosing the van because a wheel split due to fatigue cracking. You may be able to get a set of bare 14in Volvo rims at Pick A Part Kilsyth for about $15ea, I kept my 245's on the road for about 20yrs using them virtually exclusively as my parts supply.
    I used to be an engineer, I'm not an engineer any more, but on the really good days I can remember when I was.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Mt Waverley Vic 3149
    Age
    81
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    Default

    Thank you all for your advice. I removed the tyre this morning and was not happy with the condition of the rim. Bob Jane tyres in Chadstone condemned the rim . I have been able to get a 13" holden rim and it will be fitted tomorrow.

    regards

    bob

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Yarra Valley Vic oz
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    1,995

    Default

    Might be worth getting any others on the van checked also.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Southern Highlands NSW
    Posts
    1,894

    Default

    I recently had a wheel failure on an old trailer that had Holden rims, gone rusty.
    Two new aftermarket rims and new tyres were installed for $270.

    Jordan

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Apr 2002
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    429

    Default

    A lot of people getting excited that holden have not fitted 5 stud 13 inch wheels for many decades ........ any trailer spares shop will sell you a brand new 13 inch 5 stud holden wheel ....... they are still being made and they are still being fitted to new trailers.

    cheers
    Any thing with sharp teeth eats meat.
    Most powertools have sharp teeth.
    People are made of meat.
    Abrasives can be just as dangerous as a blade.....and 10 times more painfull.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    N/A
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    535

    Default

    I bought secondhand Volvo wheels off gumtree for my last trailer that fit that old Holden stud pattern I think. Alloys, lightweight, well made.

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