Off road tires on new build

[birddog24]

I'm about to start my build for a suedo off road teardrop. I plan on using a nt 5x8 trailer as the platform. So I have some question for those with experience with this.

I will taking the trailer down wash board, fire roads etc. Nothing to crazy though. I just would like more ground clearance. So the plan is to have the trailer ride on 30-31 inch tires. 15 inch wheels

I plan on replacing the axle to a #3500 with electric breaks. I'm not sure what width to order on the new able. I think the nt trailer axle is 72 inches. Will a 72" wide axle be sufficient for 30x9.50 tires?

What's your experience with the strength on those trailers? Does it need to welded anywhere?

Thanks for your input!

[jss06]

What is the offset of the wheels you plan on using?

Trailer wheels are normally built with zero offset. Most automotive wheels have either a positive or negative offset. You want the axle to be wide enough so there is about 1 inch clearance between the side of the trailer and the side of the tire. With a zero offset wheel that means the mounting surface at the end of the axle needs to be 5.25 inches from the outer wall of the trailer on each side (tire width divided by 2 + 1 inch).

So if the trailer is 5 ft wide you would need an axle that is 5 ft 10.5 inches long (5ft + 5.25 inches left side + 5.25 inches right side) or 70.5 inches. Now you have to adjust for the wheel offset. If it is positive (wheel face close to the outside of the wheel, you need to add that offset to the length of the axle for each wheel. If it is negative you need to remove that from the total length of the axle for each wheel. Once all that is done you need to round up to the next highest full inch increment (i.e 70.5 would be 71 inches) and that would be the length you order.

[tony.latham]

I plan on replacing the axle to a #3500

Others should chime in here, but I think an axle that is manufactured to somewhere twice the weight of your treardrop will cause it to ride ruff and shorten your trailer's life. Beat it with a big club. What you want (or what I THINK you want) is a suspension that doesn't cause your trailer to bounce. I run 1500 pound Torflex axles on 1300 pound treardrops with LT radials and they ride as well as my Tacoma. Maybe better.

By the way, why did I go with LT radials? (Six ply rating) I cornered two guys in their late twenties that I knew at the local tire shop. These are guys that have dealt with flat tires for many years and don't work sales. I told them what I was building and said, "I don't want to deal with flats, what tires would you guys use if it were your trailer? They glanced at each other and blurted the same tire out.

T

[birddog24]

Perfect! Thanks for the replies! I think the best option to figure out axle width is to just order the rims and tires first. Sounds like the 71" width potentially work!

I plan to replace the axle to the 3500# for strength purposes. I'm going to keep the leaf springs spring rate at 2000#. Stronger axle.... Still a decent ride!

The only thing that has gave me pause with putting taller tires on is the galley height. I've had nightmares about trying to cook bacon at shoulder height! Lol, not really that high.

[angib]

Off road tires would seem to be an appearance or styling requirement rather than a functional one as the trailer wheels do not need to get traction or indeed, do much steering. So a large overall tire diameter may be a good idea for smooth travel, but the tread pattern seems unimportant except for looks.

[jss06]

But if the wheels and tires match the tow vehicle, they can be used as spares if required.

[birddog24]

Exactly! Spare tires and clearance under the frame and axle. I plan to take this trailer off the road and away from koa's and trailer parks. I am sure having smaller 12"-14" tires would be fine for pavement, but not off the beaten path.

I know there are a ton of people that love torsion axles but i am staying with the simple leaf spring suspension for the simplicity of it. If i break a leaf spring i can fix that on the side of the trail. If i break a torsion axle I'm SOL!

[Captain Monkeyshines]

I plan on replacing the axle to a #3500

Others should chime in here, but I think an axle that is manufactured to somewhere twice the weight of your treardrop will cause it to ride ruff and shorten your trailer's life. Beat it with a big club. What you want (or what I THINK you want) is a suspension that doesn't cause your trailer to bounce. I run 1500 pound Torflex axles on 1300 pound treardrops with LT radials and they ride as well as my Tacoma. Maybe better.
T

The axle shouldn't have any affect on the ride. All it would provide is a larger tube and bigger more durable bearings and spindles. The ride is all in the springs chosen and the tires with their subsequent air pressure.

[tony.latham]

I plan on replacing the axle to a #3500

Others should chime in here, but I think an axle that is manufactured to somewhere twice the weight of your treardrop will cause it to ride ruff and shorten your trailer's life. Beat it with a big club. What you want (or what I THINK you want) is a suspension that doesn't cause your trailer to bounce. I run 1500 pound Torflex axles on 1300 pound treardrops with LT radials and they ride as well as my Tacoma. Maybe better.
T

The axle shouldn't have any affect on the ride. All it would provide is a larger tube and bigger more durable bearings and spindles. The ride is all in the springs chosen and the tires with their subsequent air pressure.

Cap:

We're talking apples and oranges. Torsion vs. springs. When you order a 1500# torsion axle there's no swapping parts. The components are matched to what the factory has built it for.

T

p.s. I really like torsion axles. Mine ride like a dream. But there's no need to start another axle debate.

[Captain Monkeyshines]

My apologies. I must've missed the part about the torsion axle.

[wavebreaker]

I run 33/10.5/15 inch Mt tires on my tear. I find you can play with the pressure offroad and help smooth out the ride some what on washboards etc.
Though I don't run a axle I run timbren axleless suspension .

Are not the NT 5x8 trailer frames bolted together? if so you should weld all the joints together for offroad.
the frame takes some serious beating on washboard roads.



Cheers