Tires & wheels for towing

otrfun wrote:

snip....

Doubt there's an easy answer, but I'll ask the question anyhow. How far can you deviate from the standard OEM offset without significantly compromising the load carrying capability of the axle and bearings?

IMO, excessive positive offset on a full-floating axle forces a full-floating axle to operate mechanically/structurally similar to a semi-floating axle. Not a good thing.

Would love to see that discussed/answered...but know that there are too many variables involved (or should be taken into account)

Of course all withing the OEM's specifications, but in there lays the rub...many over load or use their vehicles outside of their OEM's specifications...I'm one of them with a 2x moment on each axle via my wheel offset

Variables as in:

• Materials used to service...likeGrease...El Cheapo, Mud Hen OEM, High End with EP rating...friction modifiers like Moly
• Frequency of servicing
• Un-sprung weight differential from OEM
• Shock loads, both frequency & amplitude
• Shock loading in straight line to cornering
• Amount of overload and that then factors the previous
• etc

As for the difference between a semi-floater to a full-floater...think the bearing closest to the wheel will suffer the most....with the semi-floater more so, as the moment is longer due to the fact that they, typically, are farther away from the wheel than a full-floater...