Wide Stance Axles Vs. Conventional

wa8yxm wrote:
Why are Fords easier to roll over than GM's... Cause WIDE TRACK is a road in Pontiac of course (it really is)

GM (Specifically Pontiac division but since GM often makes the same car in several lines) is just an inch or two wider in the axle than Ford, gives a much more stable ride.

Now, that said, YOU can roll a GM product, sambe as a Ford, And that is not the only reason that the car I sometimes calla "Roll-o-matic" was made by Ford (There is more to it but that's part of it).

Science project

Take a common Styrofoam cup. Tapered so the top is larger than the bottom and try to push it over on it's side (NOTE: EMPTY cup please no need to make a mess.)

Now turn it over so it is top down and do it again, See how much more effort you needed.. That is what a wider wheelbase does for you too.

Whats being talked about is wide spread axles not wider axles, the axles are farther apart. Time will tell if it works out.

Denny

Rvpapa wrote:
And the builder can get away with a lighter frame rail when the suspension is farther apart.
Art.

Without digging out the relevant sections to quote chapter & verse, I'm quite sure that's false.

All vehicles (TT, m/h, car or whatever) must comply to the FMVSS. The minimums for yield strength of frames is based on weight, not axle position or spread.

69 Avion wrote:

Rvpapa wrote:
And the builder can get away with a lighter frame rail when the suspension is farther apart.
Art.

Look at semi truck trailers. Sometimes you will see the rear dual spread out further than normal to handle a load but most trailers keep those axles closer together.

In most states if the 2 tandem trailer axles on a semi trailer are separated over a certain distance you are allowed 20,000 lbs on each of them instead of 17,000 when together the normal distance. That is the main reason some companies (usually flatbedders) like the spread axle trailers. I don't remember how far they have to be spread for this to apply. I never had this situation apply during my 20 years trucking, but I did look it up for a rookie driver once. He thought he was overweight on his trailer axles, but since he was pulling a spread axle he was legal.

Rvpapa wrote:
And the builder can get away with a lighter frame rail when the suspension is farther apart.
Art.

That is the real reason. It allows the manufacturer to use a lighter frame because the load is spread out further. The trailer will not tow better. In fact, it will tow worse, especially in turns because of the scuffing. Look at semi truck trailers. Sometimes you will see the rear dual spread out further than normal to handle a load but most trailers keep those axles closer together. What turns better, a tandem axle trailer or a triple axle trailer? The tandem of course. But if you have a wide spread tandem axle trailer, it isn't much better than a triple axle rig.

And the builder can get away with a lighter frame rail when the suspension is farther apart.
Art.

I would guess lower cost and lighter weight… I thought I would like them but I have decided I like the spring axles better…

I have no doubt the scrubbing stress is greater, but I don’t know that it is causing any problems… I am not convinced about the better stability though and they make it easier to overload one time more than the others…

I guess like everything else there are pro’s and con’s to consider and choices to be made…

I had a Heartland TT that had the Wide Traxx axle setup. Never could get rid of the wandering. I had 12+% tongue weight too. IMO it's a gimmick to make the TW lower buy spreading the axles further apart and putting them more towards the middle of the TT. I would rather have a higher TW because the axles were more rearward and no Wide Traxx. IMO a much better tow. If it was that much better everyone would be doing it.

Wow! Thanks! This is the thread I was looking for! I have a 2013 Crossroads Zinger 28BH with the ' secure stance ' package. I tried friction bars because it was recommended to me. I felt the setup was fighting my ' secure stance ' setup; defeating the purpose of the orig. equipment. I took it off and was doing 60-65 with hardly any wobble. I will, however put it on and tweak it a pinch for my trip to Va. and Tennessee tomorrow.
For added security y'know.

Thanks again for the demonstration!.

Merry Christmas!

Phil

wa8yxm wrote:
Why are Fords easier to roll over than GM's... Cause WIDE TRACK is a road in Pontiac of course (it really is)

GM (Specifically Pontiac division but since GM often makes the same car in several lines) is just an inch or two wider in the axle than Ford, gives a much more stable ride.

Now, that said, YOU can roll a GM product, same as a Ford, And that is not the only reason that the car I sometimes calla "Roll-o-matic" was made by Ford (There is more to it but that's part of it).

Science project

Take a common Styrofoam cup. Tapered so the top is larger than the bottom and try to push it over on it's side (NOTE: EMPTY cup please no need to make a mess.)

Now turn it over so it is top down and do it again, See how much more effort you needed.. That is what a wider wheelbase does for you too.

I read this twice ( time I can't get back ) I have one question? What?:h. You got Fords rolling all over around you?

Why are Fords easier to roll over than GM's... Cause WIDE TRACK is a road in Pontiac of course (it really is)

GM (Specifically Pontiac division but since GM often makes the same car in several lines) is just an inch or two wider in the axle than Ford, gives a much more stable ride.

Now, that said, YOU can roll a GM product, same as a Ford, And that is not the only reason that the car I sometimes calla "Roll-o-matic" was made by Ford (There is more to it but that's part of it).

Science project

Take a common Styrofoam cup. Tapered so the top is larger than the bottom and try to push it over on it's side (NOTE: EMPTY cup please no need to make a mess.)

Now turn it over so it is top down and do it again, See how much more effort you needed.. That is what a wider wheelbase does for you too.