Axle spacing

[Hornnumb2]

So I am going to the RV show this weekend to try to find me a upgraded trailer. Is the hype about the spread axles true? Do you get better track and pull with them farther apart. My shamrock now they are only 2 1/2in apart. Just curious if it should be a deciding factor? Thanks Michael

[Calicajun]

I have had two travel trailers with normal spacing between the wheels and my current 2014 trailer with wide spacing between the wheels. To me there is no noticeable difference towing a trailer with wide or normal spacing.

The one big difference I have found and hate about wide spacing between the wheels is if you have a flat tire while traveling down the road. Had a tire go flat on my trailer and the problem is with the wide spacing the good tire won't keep the flat tire or rim off the road. Ended up replacing both the tire and rim ($198.00 for the rim). Never had that problem with my older trailers and I did have two flats them the normal spacing trailers.

[goducks10]

If wide track axle spacing was so great, then why don' they all do it? It's done to create a light weight tongue. Move the axles closer to the center of the TT and spread them apart to carry the load. Moving them closer to the center lightens the tongue weight so they can market the TT to less capable tow vehicles.

[steve-n-vicki]

I have 43 inch axle spacing and so far the trailer stays right where its supposed to be behind the truck, I towed into a 25 mph head wind to cross wind in the rain for 650 miles and it did not sway, and I did not have any sway control installed

[ScottG]

Also keep in mind that any of the devices that go between the tires to keep the TT from moving wont work when the spacing is wide.

[farmermark]

The axel spacing on my new trailer is closer than the old one.
Haven't towed it enough to tell how it's going to track.

[6_7_tow_rig]

I have had my trailer almost jack knifed backing into tight spots with no adverse affects on the EZ TOW setup. Sure they scrub but so do others that are closer. I see no difference what so ever in towing. Im neither for or against. Get the floor plan you want and who cares about how far the axles are apart. Worst thing I can say is my scissor chocks cost twice as much.

[BarneyS]

I agree with the above post and prefer the normal spaced axles.
Barney

[jmtandem]

So I am going to the RV show this weekend to try to find me a upgraded trailer. Is the hype about the spread axles true? Do you get better track and pull with them farther apart. My shamrock now they are only 2 1/2in apart. Just curious if it should be a deciding factor? Thanks Michael

Your axles are not two and a half inches apart. The space between your tires might be 2.5 inches apart. I would be leary of wide spacing of axles for the scrub factor in tight parking spaces as mentioned above. Get a good hitch and load the trailer properly and it will track nicely down the road. Axle spacing would be the least of my concerns for a new coach. Expensive trailers like Airstream do not have wide spacing and they track exceptionally well. There is lots more to stabilty in towing than the spacing of axles.

[mbopp]

Wide track axles are a way to spread the weight out on a lightweight frame. I have them and hate them. Way too much side scuffing on tight turns and you can see the camber change in the mirrors.

[DutchmenSport]

If the trailer axles get too far apart, it is no longer a trailer, it becomes a "wagon." But yes, the greater the distance the axles the more stable the trailer becomes when towing. But.... when turning to back up, the side resistance on the tires (because they do not want to pivot on a single point) can reek havoc on the tires. That's why some tires are rated for trailers and other tires are rated for automobiles. Track better ... yes. Pivot in a turn... worse.

(that's why "wagons" have a front axle that pivots).