Are Wheel Spacers Safe?

Looking into installing a set of wheel spacers, but unsure how they impact driveability, reliability, and—most importantly—safety? You’re not alone. Wheel spacers are one of the most debated truck modifications, and there’s plenty of misinformation floating around about them. 

The experts at RealTruck are here to set the record straight. Below, we’ll explain what wheel spacers are, what they do, whether they’re bad for your truck, and what factors determine whether they’re safe for daily driving. 

Wheel spacers are aftermarket components that install between your vehicle’s hub and wheel. The primary function is to push the wheel outward, increasing track width. 

Truck owners commonly use wheel spacers to achieve a wider stance, improve tire-to-suspension clearance, correct wheel offset issues, and enhance stability when paired with lift kits and softer suspension. 

When properly designed and installed, wheel spacers can perform these duties safely and effectively. However, not every DIY installer understands the proper way to mount spacers—we’ll get into that shortly. 

Before we get into installation issues, let’s first develop an understanding of terminology. While wheel spacers and wheel adapters are often grouped due to their similar construction and design, their functions differ slightly. 

Wheel adapters are an inexpensive yet effective way to adapt your vehicle’s hub to accept wheels with a different bolt pattern than stock. 

These accessories begin with a precision-machined billet aluminum ring with lug holes that match your vehicle's bolt pattern, allowing it to bolt directly to the hub. Pressed into the adapter are lug studs that match the pattern of the new wheels you’ll be installing. 

Once installed, the wheel mounts to the adapter’s integrated studs, rather than your vehicle’s—effectively adapting your vehicle’s hub to a new bolt circle without expensive custom work or redrilling the wheels. As a bonus, wheel adapters push the wheels outward, widening the stance, similar to wheel spacers. 

Still unsure of the exact difference between these two components? Consult the table below for a quick rundown of their similarities and differences. 

Depending on who you ask, wheel spacers can be viewed as a solid option or a death sentence. What’s the truth? Let’s take a look at some pros and cons of installing spacers. 

Regarding wheel spacers, the benefits are many. Some of the leading reasons drivers install wheel spacers include: 

• Wider, more aggressive stance

• Improved tire and suspension clearance

• Potentially increased stability

• Allows rub-free use of factory wheels with wider tires

Like most modifications, wheel spacers are neither inherently “good” nor “bad.” However, they can increase wear and tear on particular components. Front-end components, like ball joints and wheel bearings, are the most plagued by the added strain of wheel spacers. That being said, this isn’t unique to spacers—any modification that increases leverage on the hub, like wide wheels, negative offset, or oversized tires, has a similar effect. 

Another consideration is payload and towing capacity. While many spacers are rated for use on trucks, it’s vital to confirm the spacer's load rating before hooking up a heavy trailer or loading the bed with cargo.

Wheel spacers can be safe if you purchase high-quality products, install them correctly, and inspect them regularly. If they weren’t safe when installed according to the manufacturer's recommendations, the automotive experts at RealTruck wouldn’t sell them. 

Below are the most critical factors that determine wheel spacer safety. 

Quality is one of the biggest safety differentiators. High-quality wheel spacers are typically made from high-grade, 6061-T6 billet aluminum and use grade 8 or stronger hardware. 

Lower-quality wheel spacers made from cast aluminum or using unspecified stud grades should be avoided at all costs—stick to reputable names, like Rugged Ridge and West Coast Wheel Accessories. 

Proper fitment is essential—just because a spacer bolts on to your ride, it doesn’t mean it fits correctly. 

Bolt-on wheel spacers need to match your vehicle’s factory stud size and thread pitch to retain the strength of the original studs and be compatible with your existing lug nuts. Additionally, wheel spacers should be hubcentric, meaning the spacer’s center bore matches your vehicle’s hub bore. 

Hubcentric wheel spacers allow the vehicle’s weight to rest on the hub rather than on the studs, providing superior strength and balance. Additionally, hubcentric spacers feature a machined lip that allows the wheel to sit on the spacer’s pseudo-hub, easing wheel mounting and further refining balance. 

Bolt-on wheel spacers must be thick enough to prevent the factory wheel studs from contacting the wheel once bolted to the spacer. Most wheels feature a flat back, requiring a spacer that’s at least as wide as the studs are long for full coverage. However, some wheels feature divots between the lug holes, allowing the factory studs to protrude slightly past the mounting flange. Either way, make sure there’s enough clearance for the wheel’s mounting flange to sit flush against the hub. 

Slip-on spacers pose another issue. Depending on the length of the factory studs and the width of the spacer, you may not have proper thread engagement with the lug nuts. Use the chart below as a general guideline for minimum thread engagement by lug stud size. 

If you can’t meet the minimum engagement, you’ll need a thinner spacer or longer wheel studs. 

No, wheel spacers are not inherently bad for your truck. However, like any modification that changes load distribution or leverage on the suspension, they can accelerate wear on joints, bushings, and bearings. 

When using hubcentric, vehicle-specific spacers, torqued to spec and inspected regularly, most truck owners experience no issues—especially for daily driving. 

Choosing safe wheel spacers is pretty simple. When shopping, use our fitment tool to ensure a spacer that suits your vehicle. Additionally, ensure the spacer meets the following requirements: 

• Hubcentric

• Matching stud size and thread pitch

• Suitable (and verified) load ratings

• Offered by a reputable manufacturer (like all brands on RealTruck) 

At RealTruck, we offer a curated selection of wheel spacers engineered specifically for trucks and SUVs. Our wheel spacers are provided by reputable manufacturers (including ourselves) and are rated for service on your rig—whether a hard-working pickup or an off-road-ready Jeep®. 

For your convenience, RealTruck makes finding wheel spacers and adapters that fit your ride quick and easy. Just enter your specific year, make, and model to get a filtered list of compatible products. 

And if you’re still on the fence about wheel spacers and adapters, check out RealTruck’s extensive selection of aftermarket wheels to find a product that best fits your ride.

Most wheel spacer failures don't stem from material issues or defects—instead, they’re the result of user errors and improper installation. You should always install wheel spacers according to manufacturer recommendations, which should outline the proper torque specs, torque sequence, and the recommended retorque interval. 

Common installation errors that may lead to failure or safety concerns include: 

• Using an impact gun

• Skipping final torque

• Failing to use a thread-locking compound

• Failing to retorque after initial driving

When installed correctly, bolt-on wheel spacers and adapters are safe and reliable for virtually all applications. 

In addition to the above-listed installation errors, avoid the following mistakes when installing your wheel spacers to ensure dependable performance. 

• Using the wrong lug nuts

• Installing non-hubcentric spacers

• Ignoring torque values

• Failing to inspect spacers periodically

These errors can lead to sheared studs, cracked spacers, and other failures that can pose serious drivability risks. 

A: Yes—when properly designed, installed, and maintained, wheel spacers are safe for daily driving.

A: High-quality, hubcentric 2-inch wheel spacers can be safe, but they increase leverage on suspension components. Regular inspections are recommended.

A: Slip-on spacers often require longer studs. Bolt-on spacers do not, as they feature integrated studs.

A: Improperly installed or low-quality spacers can cause issues. Properly selected spacers installed to spec generally do not cause damage.