torsion axle wheel well travel ?

[rustytoolss]

My popup frame has a torsion axle. I'm using 4.80-12 tires . I need to make some wheel wells (old plastic barrel). How much wheel well clearance/ travel should I go with, so I can construct the wells ? I am thinking that my max weight with gear should be 1100lbs or less. If I had the old wheel wells , I could measure them. But all I got was the frame with the axle.

[les45]

My project is a Jayco 1006 pop-up using 5.3X12 tires and it has 5.5" of clearance (currently stripped down and empty, probably weighing about 1,000 lbs). The original camper with all its stock gear weighed about 1,400 lbs and the axle is rated 2,000 lbs.

[Nobody]

Pretty sure the Dexter website has charts that depict the actual 'deflection' of the 'torsion arm' for each weight axle under specific loads...

[rustytoolss]

Pretty sure the Dexter website has charts that depict the actual 'deflection' of the 'torsion arm' for each weight axle under specific loads...

I took a look at Dexter site. I could not find any information. Does not mean that it's not there. I just could not find any information. But the 5.5" stated by the first response sounds like a good place to start with.

[gudmund]

the info from Dexter is written there which is were I found it for mine, they said 3 inches of clearance which now seems to work just fine after having to raise my fenders 2 inches being the builder had installed them, than mounted the 15inch wheels/tires I had paid extra for only to find them too close, so he than mounted 14inch wheels/tires which I did not notice until getting home from picking it up that they were too close also - they had about an 1 inch of clearance, (14inch wheel/tires installed with the 15inch spare I also paid extra for and than was informed by him "he doesn't think I will ever have a problem". Yes, I made him replace it with a matching 14inch spare) Well,first trip out, 'loaded' down the 14 incher's were bumping the fenders. Got home and was able to remount the fenders, 2 inches higher and they have been fine since. Lesson learned - do NOT buy a trailer on E-Bay from someone that is located over 350 miles from you, being it is a 700 mile round trip if and when there is a issue/problem to deal with (and Yes, I have had more issues/problems since and have just dealt with them myself!)

[rustytoolss]

the info from Dexter is written there which is were I found it for mine, they said 3 inches of clearance which now seems to work just fine after having to raise my fenders 2 inches being the builder had installed them, than mounted the 15inch wheels/tires I had paid extra for only to find them too close, so he than mounted 14inch wheels/tires which I did not notice until getting home from picking it up that they were too close also - they had about an 1 inch of clearance, (14inch wheel/tires installed with the 15inch spare I also paid extra for and than was informed by him "he doesn't think I will ever have a problem". Yes, I made him replace it with a matching 14inch spare) Well,first trip out, 'loaded' down the 14 incher's were bumping the fenders. Got home and was able to remount the fenders, 2 inches higher and they have been fine since. Lesson learned - do NOT buy a trailer on E-Bay from someone that is located over 350 miles from you, being it is a 700 mile round trip if and when there is a issue/problem to deal with (and Yes, I have had more issues/problems since and have just dealt with them myself!)

A lot of information there. So your telling me that 3" clearance above the tire is what the Dexter axle company says, and that 3" is working fine for you ? right ? Just trying to make sure that I've got this correct. Thanks
Question is that 3" empty or loaded ? cause right now I just have a bare frame. Thanks

[gudmund]

Yes - 3 inches of clearance above the tire is what Dexter said in their paper work for my axle (1800 lb rated #9 Dexter)

[rustytoolss]

Thanks for the input. I set my wheel well clearance at 3".