Forum Discussion

2stepn's avatar
2stepn
Explorer
Jul 13, 2013

Axle spacing on new TT ?

I see several manufactures have started spacing the axles further apart on their TT's. My questions are; does this seem to give the TT more stability while towing, and how are tires and axles holding up under the stresses when backing this unit into tight rv spaces.
Thanks
Bill
  • 69_Avion's avatar
    69_Avion
    Explorer
    Jul 13, 2013
    The cons of a wide spread tender axle trailer is the same for triple axle trailers. A properly built tandem with a strong frame will tow just as good as a wide spread tandem setup. The reason the manufacturers use the wide spread axles is because they can use a weaker frame. If I had a choice I would take the strong frame with the close axles.
  • 69_Avion's avatar
    69_Avion
    Explorer
    Jul 13, 2013
    The cons of a wide spread tender axle trailer is the same for triple axle trailers. A properly built tandem with a strong frame will tow just as good as a wide spread tandem setup. The reason the manufacturers use the wide spread axles is because they can use a weaker frame. If I had a choice I would take the strong frame with the close axles.
  • APT's avatar
    APT
    Explorer
    Jul 13, 2013
    My TT pulls great @72mph with my friend's dually and no WD or sway. Maybe that is a part of the wide axles, maybe not. The only negative I have is tight turning. I live in a cul de sac so mine gets frequent tight turn on that. I had my axles aligned last fall after 3 seasons. That may have been from all the tight turns.
  • Huntindog's avatar
    Huntindog
    Explorer
    Jul 13, 2013
    6.7 tow rig wrote:
    I can't imagine that the spring hangers would tear from the frame. If that were the case you would hear about it all the time. Not to mention the trailers are designed to be used. Engineers know what stress will be placed on the wheels. I personally can't tell a difference in either. Only con for me was the xchocks cost me twice as much as the regular size ones


    Oh it has been posted here before. To be honest, it has also been posted about on standard spacing.... But, there are MANY more TTs with standard than wide.. At any rate, how can it not be harder on the hangars in a tight turn?
    Couple this with the lighter frame that this design allows for, and over time metal fatigue is much more likely.
  • fla-gypsy's avatar
    fla-gypsy
    Explorer
    Jul 13, 2013
    Better stability in a straight line but the trade off is excessive flexing/scrubbing when turning hard. All said I think most makers will go that direction in the next few years.
  • 6_7_tow_rig's avatar
    6_7_tow_rig
    Explorer
    Jul 13, 2013
    I can't imagine that the spring hangers would tear from the frame. If that were the case you would hear about it all the time. Not to mention the trailers are designed to be used. Engineers know what stress will be placed on the wheels. I personally can't tell a difference in either. Only con for me was the xchocks cost me twice as much as the regular size ones
  • Lowsuv's avatar
    Lowsuv
    Explorer
    Jul 13, 2013
    Huntindog has summed it up nicely.
    we boondock in the national forests .
    i tow about 2 - 3 inches low on the nose.
    i can only do this with a conventional spread.
    i need clearance in the back to ford the dips .
    you need to be trailer level with the spread axle trailer .
    i compensate by towing a 21T komfort with about 5300 pounds on the trailer axles with a duramax that weighs about 8600 pounds while towing .
    the one fellow in our extended camping group has the spread axles .
    he also has the lightest duty tow rig .
  • Andy_F's avatar
    Andy_F
    Explorer
    Jul 13, 2013
    8iron wrote:
    3 years now with the wide spread axles. I don't see any excessive wear and it pulls fine. I figure the benefits of straight line towing outweigh the added stress of tight manoeuvres...I drive for hours to campsites but spend 2 minutes backing in and out.


    X 2. Great towing experience with the wide spaced axles. We're just wrapping up a 2,200 mile trip out west and I've yet to see any unusual tire wear. We had a 30+ mph stiff cross wind yesterday across South Dakota on I-90 and between the axles and our hitch, we did remarkably very well. I do tighten my lug nuts frequently, after each trip, as recommended by the manufacturers. Tight turning does seem to loosen up the lug nuts more than on the standard spaced axles in my experience so far.
  • Huntindog's avatar
    Huntindog
    Explorer
    Jul 13, 2013
    Pros: Wide spacing allows for a lighter frame and lower TW. More stable. Best suited for marginal TVs.

    Cons. As noted tire scrubbing in turns puts a lot of stress on the spring hangars and can actually tear them off the frame.

    Regular spacing.
    Pros: stronger, turns better, and less likely to stress the hangars...Though I did have it happen to me on my last TT. Pulled into camp and had to weld them up on the spot to get home.

    Cons: Need a proper sized TV.
  • Dtaylor's avatar
    Dtaylor
    Explorer
    Jul 13, 2013
    I have the wide spacing on mine. I think it does help towing while traveling. The only thing I have noticed is when backing and turning or making sharp turns, the tires seem to "scrub". I have not seen any unusual wear on any of the tires.

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