NT 5x8 trailer specs

[Homebrewer25]

The specs on the website say the overall width of the Ironton 5x8 trailer is 76". The tires are 5.6" wide each, so it figures out to 64.8" between the tires.
Can anyone confirm that the actual width between tires on a stock NT 5x8 matches this?

How much clearance is needed between the side of the body and the tire? I'm trying to determine the maximum width that the body can be, which figures to be 64.8 - (2 x clearance).
I'm looking at making my deck exactly 5' wide (1 1/2" thick sip), then adding a 1 x 6 (3/4" x 5 1/2") skirt around it to overhang the trailer frame, locking it down. That makes it 61 1/2" wide. Then the idea is to attach the body shell thru a 1/16" diamond plate finish skirt thru the foam, the 3/4" skirt, and the trailer frame. This gives me an inside width of 61 1/2", but 65 5/8" outside width (I'm planning a foamie build with 2" foamboard).

BodyAttachment.png (5.03 KiB) Viewed 5066 times

I guess if its necessary I could eliminate the wood skirt, which reduces the body width by 1 1/2", but it still comes out to 64 1/8" width, which would only give about 3/8" clearance each side.

Does anyone see any issues with using wheel spacers to widen the track? I found some on ebay that were 1 1/4" thick, which would add 2 1/2" to the track width. These would also allow me to move up to 14" wheels/tires.

Thanks

[QueticoBill]

I dont think that wide but ill measure tomortow if mo one else has weighed in. I decided to not have 1/4 ply sides over lap buy just atop frame.

[QueticoBill]

I dont think that wide but ill measure tomortow if mo one else has weighed in. I decided to not have 1/4 ply sides over lap buy just atop frame.

[Homebrewer25]

Anyone with a stock NT trailer ... can you measure the distance between the tires for me?

[absolutsnwbrdr]

If I recall, the hub face dimension was 70".

Subtracting half of the 5.6" tire width from each side (70" - 2.8" -2.8" ) leaves 64.4" between the tires, and 2.2" between the frame and tire.

I ended up replacing the axle with a torsion axle, so unfortunately I can't tell you for certain.

Some people have used narrower wheel spacers, but 1-1/4" wheel spacers are going to put a lot of stress on the wheel bearings and increase the forces on the axle spindle.

[Homebrewer25]

Thanks, Zach.

I just went to the NT site and looked at the trailer again. I had read all the questions asked (I thought) but then noticed that there were 3 more pages. One questioner asked the distance between the tire and the frame and was told it is 1.42". So on to plan B ... eliminate the 3/4" wood band around the trailer deck and attach the 2" foamboard directly to the frame side rails. But that would still require spacers, and would result in about 1/2" between the tires and the body side. This doesn't seem like it is enough.

BodyAttachment2.png (4.93 KiB) Viewed 4948 times

I had planned to extend the tongue anyway, and if I have to go with a new axle, wheels, and tires then maybe I'll build the trailer from scratch. My 110v MIG welder probably doesn't have enough penetration to do a good job, so I may have to borrow a bigger welder. If I go this route then I'll probably take the opportunity to add trailer brakes. Even though I'm aiming for a sub 1000 lb TTT, it will probably be more once all the gear is added. Brakes would let me tow it behind my small car.

[absolutsnwbrdr]

Sounds good Steve. For what its worth, a new axle and the tongue modification can be done without welding.

I'm not sure how TN is, but in PA the certificate of origin for the trailer makes registration 1000 times easier, which is why its popular to modify the frame rather than building from scratch. If you have some room in your budget a custom torsion axle (with brakes) may run you about $350-400 but they bolt right up and handle much better than a leaf spring axle. On my X-Cubed I went with just an idler axle, so it was a bit cheaper than one with brakes. After bolting up my new axle, I then sold the stock axle and springs for $150.

http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?p=1065563#p1065563

[HarleyCamper]

I've registered in TN and after a lot of questions (it there a kitchen etc) they issued me a tag and a new VIN. FWIW tags re required for hard topped campers in TN. A NT question asked said hub spacing is 68 3/8". Not sure if that is helpful. I was considering skinning down to the bottom of the frame rails, but decided not to in the end to maximize headspace while using standard 4x8 plywood. If you need more info, I can measure at will.

[EZ]

I could also use a spec for a NT trailer: the distance between the outside of the tires. Will be receiving a Northern Tool 5 X 8 trailer shortly and I have searched far and wide but have not found that information.

The camper width will result in the sides being outside of the tires (6+' wide). I am hoping to begin my build in the garage w/o connecting the springs/axle/tires to the trailer which will allow it to fit under my garage door - it will sit on a dolly with casters during the build. Anyone have a stock NT 5 X 8 trailer that can please provide that measurement?

Thanks!

EZ

[EZ]

I guess what I really need is the measurement from the side of the trailer to the outside of the tire.......... That makes it a lot simpler.

[rkanz]

I just measured mine. 74.5 inches at the ground with Kenda radial tires, 12”, which are slightly wider than stock.


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[EZ]

Thanks rkanz! That is very close to the measurement with the stock tires which calculates to about 73.5" using the figures below. What I actually needed was the distance from the outside of the frame to the outside of the tire to calculate the required overhang. I finally went right to the Northern Tool Q & A on the trailer website and received the following reply in one day. Not sure where these folks are but it took a few tries to explain to them what I needed. I finanlly made a crude sketch in MS Paint and that did the trick.The reply: "From outside of trailer frame to outside of tire - that measurement per manufacturer is 6.72 inches." (That equates to about 17CM metric). Looks like my camper will have to be 76" wide to cover the whole tire(s) then, which will allow for a decent length bed across the frame (I am 6' tall).

I compiled the following information for future reference, adding some metric equivalents where it made sense:

Northern Tool Ironton 5 X 8 Utility Trailer Specifications (Updated 10/2018)


Overall Dimensions (including tongue) L x W x H (in.): 136 x 76 x 16 ¼

The overall width (including the fenders): 76" or 6' 4"

The inside dimensions on our Ironton trailer are 60-3/64 inches (152.5CM) wide by 96-1/16 inches (244CM) long.

The distance between the inner support bars (which are evenly spaced) is 21-21/32 inches (55CM).

The clearance between the underside of the support bars and the ground is 17-1/4 inches.

The dimensions from the top of the fender to the ground/bottom of the tire: 23.98 inches (61CM)

Height of the metal frame/deck to the ground /bottom of the tire is 20.2 inches (51.3CM).

From outside of trailer frame to outside of tire: 6.72 inches (170MM).

The clearance between the inside of the tire to the outside of the frame is 1.42" (36MM).

Tire size: 5.30-12in.

Bolt Circle Pattern (in.) 5 x 4/12

This Ironton Heavy-Duty Trailer has a 5.47" (139MM) clearance between the top of the axel to the bottom of the frame.

It has 0.20" (5MM) C channel frame thickness.

The thickness of the steel is 1/8" and the frame side rails are 1 1/2" W x 3 3/16" H.

There are pre-drilled holes in the top of the frame that can be used to mount a plywood deck. There are 3 holes on each cross member and I believe 4 or 5 on each long runner.

The exact width between (inside to inside) the fenders on this trailer is 61 9/64 inches.

The fenders are 3.78 inches (96MM) above the frame on this trailer.

The tongue height on this trailer is 17.09".

The height above the ground to the top of the 2" ball is 19.92" (506MM).

The height above the ground to the inside surface of the angle frame is 17.05" when the trailer is level.

The distance from the back of the frame to the center of the axle is 42.9

The distance from the rear of the frame from forward to back of the fender is 28.74" (73CM).

The diameter of the axle on this utility trailer is 25 mm. The axle is composed of a piece of approx. 3/16" thick steel stamped into a c-channel shape with the spindles welded inside the C. It's not a square tube.

This utility trailer uses a 1" diameter straight spindle.

This trailer kit's axle length (inside measurement between the hubs) is 68.38" (1737mm).

The hub face measurement for the axle on this trailer kit is 5-5/8" in diameter.

The fenders on this trailer kit measure 7 11/16" W x 7 3/8" H x 11/16" D.

Coupler: 2”

Overall weight when fully assembled is 264lbs

The maximum weight the trailer tongue itself can support is 300 pounds.

Load Capacity (lbs.) 1,715

The Ironton Heavy-Duty Trailer Kit uses general lithium grease no.2 for the wheel bearings. This type of grease is not intended to be mixed.

Spare tire part # is ITI37552-12.

[JasenC]

Northern Tool Ironton 5 X 8 Utility Trailer Specifications (Updated 10/2018)

All your measurements sure came in handy helping me figure out how best to extend mine to 10' and figure out how best to make adjustments of the cross bars for a different axle location and how best to make it all work for placing my water tank close to the axle before putting it together.

Thanks

[amorrison1978]

Can anyone confirm this please:
" Height of the metal frame/deck to the ground /bottom of the tire is 20.2 inches (51.3CM)."

[EZ]

Northern Tool website for 5 X 8 Ironton trailer: