Vintage/Classic wheel question

shinytop

I'm after a couple of press on hub caps like the one in the picture for my trailer.  One got lost and the other is looking a bit worse for wear (mind you so is the wheel!)  They are 13 inch wheels with 4 holes and 4 inches between centres.  The cap is about 9 inches across depending on how it is measured.  The wheel has 3 flat sections that the inside rim of the cap presses (or is more likely kicked) onto.  I acquired the trailer years ago and was told it was originally a small caravan.  I have no idea of the origin of the wheels.  Any ideas?  I might also be on the lookout for a wheel as my spare (the wheel not the tyre) is knackered.

EssexExile

Hub caps - they take you back! Have you tried a local breakers yard? Car jumble, probably not having those at the moment.
Failing that just spray the centre of the wheel black & the rim silver & leave the hub caps off, it looked great on my Anglia in the 60s.

jimbo6977

All sorts of stuff like like this on ebay, the problem would seem to be knowing what would fit. Might be easier to buy a new set of more attractive wheels. 

angrycrow

I have seen similar items referred to as moon hub caps. They are very popular on the vw dub scene for campers and beetles but you would need to check the sizes. Try speaking to a classic vw specialist. 

shinytop

jimbo6977 said:

All sorts of stuff like like this on ebay, the problem would seem to be knowing what would fit. Might be easier to buy a new set of more attractive wheels. 

Although I like the wheels I have, I'm beginning to think this might be a better option. 

AdrianC

angrycrow said:

I have seen similar items referred to as moon hub caps 

Only by people who don't know what moondiscs are...


OP - you're looking for "hubcaps"... But the question is, from what? They're probably specific trailer/caravan rims from back in the day. You might find that 60s car (probably BL) hubcaps fit, but I wouldn't guarantee it. Are there any markings on the rim, indicating manufacturer? They may be under 17 layers of paint...

Your best bet is to do a bit of asking around on classic caravan FB groups or forums, with a bit of eBay hunting.

But, unless you actually want something identical, I think I'd just leave it bare. No harm will come - they're purely cosmetic. What sort of trailer are we talking about? Generic utilitarian tip-run box, or something a bit posher?

oldagetraveller1

Except that at 13" , they look exactly like Morris Minor wheels which are 14". Even the colour, Olde English White. There's even the rubber bunged hole for adjusting the brakes without removing the wheel.

I have measured the hubcaps on my Minor and they are about 9" outside diameter. One of those might fit. Probably available on eBay. They do have an embossed "M" though.

As mentioned above, it's likely that any (BMC?) hubcap from back in the day might fit. Probably pressed out in their thousands at some Birmingham factory. Suitably embossed with whichever BMC marque they were destined for.

Do you have a hubcap to measure accurately, inside and outside diameters? e.g.second picture. I can compare the dimensions.

shinytop

I think the minor ones may be too small. 

I may just do without.  This is the trailer; it's quite quaint looking and also very practical.

oldagetraveller1

Yes, you are probably correct, by about 1/4".

I checked with the tape located the same and where your's is 9 and1/4", the Minor's is 9".

Looks to be an excellent and sturdy trailer. No harm will be done without. The "distressed" hubcap adds character too!

forgotmyname

I thought it funny that someone painted the wheel but could not be bothered to remove the weights and painted
over them.

Start with the wheel pitch, a lot of older trailer wheels were just standard off the shelf car wheels.  So a lot of Ford and BL wheels
out there.

Some of the guys on the classic car forums will probably know what wheel those are.

shinytop

oldagetraveller1 said:

Yes, you are probably correct, by about 1/4".

I checked with the tape located the same and where your's is 9 and1/4", the Minor's is 9".

Looks to be an excellent and sturdy trailer. No harm will be done without. The "distressed" hubcap adds character too!

Thanks. It's a great trailer but the tip where I've just moved has a strictly enforced limit of 6x4 feet limit and it's 8x4. It has to go really.