5thWheelForums.com - View Single Post - Just purchased 4-new 17.5 tires and rims

Motor31 · 05-25-2010, 09:42 AM

Who made the rims you bought? If it is an American manufactured rim there should be a flat spot to seat the stem gasket internally for metal stems. Do not accept a rubber stem as the highest pressure stems in the Discount tire supply is only 100 PSI and the 17.5" tires take 125 PSI cold. The working pressure will be about 140 PSI when hot.

Ours were the OEM's from the factory when we ordered the trailer. They turned out to be a chinese brand, Vision. The location of the stems is in a bad spot on the inside of the rim in a curved location and requires a very thick gasket. The stem hole is also too narrow for the larger style "top hat" gaskets to seal around the stem. I ended up using a smaller "top hat" gasket on the outside and reusing the old gaskets on the inside after spending more than a day trying to find proper replacement gaskets from American suppliers. The Vision folks just said to use a rubber stem, but that is only rated for 100 PSI. A bad idea.

05-25-2010, 09:42 AM	#3
Motor31 Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 2,130	Who made the rims you bought? If it is an American manufactured rim there should be a flat spot to seat the stem gasket internally for metal stems. Do not accept a rubber stem as the highest pressure stems in the Discount tire supply is only 100 PSI and the 17.5" tires take 125 PSI cold. The working pressure will be about 140 PSI when hot. Ours were the OEM's from the factory when we ordered the trailer. They turned out to be a chinese brand, Vision. The location of the stems is in a bad spot on the inside of the rim in a curved location and requires a very thick gasket. The stem hole is also too narrow for the larger style "top hat" gaskets to seal around the stem. I ended up using a smaller "top hat" gasket on the outside and reusing the old gaskets on the inside after spending more than a day trying to find proper replacement gaskets from American suppliers. The Vision folks just said to use a rubber stem, but that is only rated for 100 PSI. A bad idea. __________________ Mike Nancy and the fuzzies Fulltiming since June 2004 Volvo 660 MH tow vehicle 2005 MS 38RL 2007 Saturn Ion "toad" 2010 Gold Wing "piggyback"