what tire clearance should I have?

[surveytech]

Hi all,
what should be my minimum clearance between the tire sidewall and the frame of the trailer? I am using a Tractor supply trailer with leaf springs.

I found a set of 14x 6 inch rims that would replace my 12 in wheels on my trailer but fear that the tire sidewall would be very close to the frame.

I realize that torsion axles are different and their specs dont apply here.
I have leaf springs.

A search of the site has left me confused as hell.

whatcha think?

thanks all!

Walter

[madjack]

a S.W.A.G. of 1 inch from the camper side or the frame...which ever protruded the farthest..............................


def... S.W.A.G. ...scientific wild ass guess

[Nitetimes]

If I can get my fingers between the tire and side to my knuckles that's usually about right. 'Bout 3/4" plus, purty scientifilic huh?

[madjack]

If I can get my fingers between the tire and side to my knuckles that's usually about right. 'Bout 3/4" plus, purty scientifilic huh?

...fits the S.W.A.G. theorum perfectly ..............................................

[Chip]

an exact inch or so,,, plus or minus,,give or take,,, a smidge,,, iffin it is a bit close ya can always get spacers to give ya a little more room between the sidewall and the body/frame

chipper

[surveytech]

I like this S.W.A.G. stuff.
Would fit right in with the rest of the build.
This sounds promising.

I found these two 14 x 6 trailer wheels laying in a ditch and they arent even beat up. The paint is still shiny. The tires were a different story, no tread at all. If I could get these to work it would be way groovy.

after all.........FREE IS YOUR FRIEND. (words to live by)

[Bucko6]

I was told putting 14" wheels on an axle made for the smaller 8" to 12" wheels is not a good idea because the different offset of the wheel causes additional stress on the hub and bearings, beyond what they were designed to take. Bolt patterns are the same. Beats me, just what I was told so i wen with the tallest 12" tires I could find. Any one else have luck using oversized wheels on these smaller axles.

[surveytech]

these wheels are zero offset. So the center of the rim would still be centered
on the hub. However they would be about 2 inches wider compared to the 12 inch wheels and tires.
the dexter owners manual sez to not use any wheels with offset due to the stress on the bearings.
I am so confused!

my guess is that 13 inch wheels would be perfect.

[Chip]

Something to consider also is the rating of the axle,,, and the load you are actually gonna put on it,,, Fer instance if ya got an 1800 lb HF trailer but ya whole rig is only 7 or 800 lbs the weight is half the axles rating so the stress should be a whole lot less,,, wouldnt ya think,,, I dont know and am just thinking out loud,,,

I have heard the same warning about using wide spacers on a hub and throwing the tire way out past where is is suppose to run,, I have heard that doing this on a car will cause premature bearing failure,, but again this is loading the bearings at their design load and not less than half of the weight,,,

chipper

[Nitetimes]

I have 245 15's with about 2" offset on my 2k axle. N.C. and back without ever warming the hubs up. Unless your really over loading your trailer it will never know you put offset wheels on it. Most vehicles on the road these days have some offset on the wheels either in or out, it doesn't cause any problems on them and they are under a lot more stress than your little trailer.

[Micro469]

Somebody want to explain what OFFSET is?

[surveytech]

offset is the distance the hub center is from center.
zero offset means it is directly in the center of the wheel width.
offset means the wheel sticks out a little further
and inset means its in a little bit. ( think front wheel drive cars)

or something like that!

[angib]

Somebody want to explain what OFFSET is?

Go to page 2 of this Dexter Axle Measurement Guide and on the right hand side are some diagrams that explain wheel offset - diagrams are much easier to understand than words!

Andrew