Tire distance/wall

[rooster]

When I gathered infor for my tear, I was told by a teardrop parts person that the tire side wall should be 3/4" to 1" from the wall, just big enough to get you fingers between them. So I do just that.
Reading what Juneaudave wrote about his/her axel, the distance is much larger. Did I make a great mistake and how do I fix it? What should the distance be? I'm about 90% complete with my project.

Jim,

[JunkMan]

Are you saying that you have more clearance, or not enough?

If you have more, it should not be a problem, as long as your fenders will cover the tire. I have 2 1/4" - 2 1/2" clearance on mine, and am not worried about it. I think 3/4" - 1" seems a little tight.

If you don't have enough clearance or are concerned about too much, you could look for wheels with a different offset to adjust the clearance.

[IraRat]

Jim, you're basically worried about fender clearance, right? Did that guy know you were going to put fenders on?

[rooster]

JunkMan & IraRat, I feel I want a little more distance between the wall and tire. Temporarily I'm using 235-75RX15 tires/wheels, 5 on 4 1/2" bolt circle, and they are 3/4" from the wall. I will be using 10" fenders.
I know a narrower tire would help, but what size I don't know. I don't know that much about tires.

Jim,

[SteveH]

Jim,

You can gain some space with nothing more than a set of spacers.

[asianflava]

Or a set of wheels with more offset. Or narrower tires.

[madjack]

...Jim, what kinda axle are you using...if it is a torsion type, then all is well since they have virtually no side to side movement. If you have a spring hung axle, you may need to go with a thinner tire or use some spacers to get out to 2 in, personally I donr like spacers but they can be a saver...check with your tire dealer to see the diiference in a 205 or 195 width tire
madjack

[Gerdo]

I only have about 700 miles on my Teardrop but I have about 3/4" between the sidewall of the tire and the inside of the fenderwell/wall and I have had no rubbing. I am running a 205/70/R15 radial passenger tire at 30 psi. That 700 miles was driven thru the mountains of Colorado at 50-60 mph on state routes that are very twisty. As others have said, different wheels with more offset or spacers can get you out of a problem if you run into rubbing down the road. I've seen small cheap spacers at Pep Boys or bigger more expensive custom ones mail order (back of 4x4 magazines)

[rooster]

Just got back from varathaning my doors. Hanging the second aluminum skin tomorrow.
Thanks for all the differant ideas. I'll go over to the tire store and see what they recommend.
This is a cool web site where you get great help
Thanks again....
Oh! forgot to mention, I'm running with axel and leaf springs.

Jim,

[Nitetimes]

I've built hundreds of trailers and 3/4" to 1" between the fender and tire was about average on them. The only time it was ever a problem was a bent axle or severly worn suspension parts on heavier trailers. If you go to a 215 or 205 tire width you will have plenty of clearance.

[shil]

I've got less than an inch of clearance between the tire and the wall. We've travelled over 9,000 km with no rubbing. I've also got a straight axle with leaf springs.

Don't worry about it, you're OK.

[rooster]

Well, everything everybody told me about the distance between tire and wall is correct.
I went to my local tire store and learned that the 235 is in mm. and the 75 is the percentage of 253 for the highth of the tire, and 15, well we know what that is. I didn't know that before. So I don't have to worry. I was told that if I want my tear to sit lower is to go to a 215-70Rx14 tire.
Thanks for all the information everyone gave!!

Jim,