widely spaced wheels

[kknowlton]

We were looking at some new TTs today and one of the models we especially like has the wheels that are spaced quite far apart (two axles). Has anyone had experience with both the usual (older) spacing and the newer spacing? If so, what is your opinion about the new spacing? We like to use the between-wheel chocks, which of course would be more difficult with the new style. The brochure touts them as preventing bounce and sway better than the old spacing. (This trailer we were looking at has leaf springs, not torsion axles.)

[TNCampingDad]

I was told by Keystone executive that the reason for the wide spread axles was for better handling ultra light weight trailers. He also said it does not have any real benefits on heavier trailers.

[Keith_Haw]

Ok

[bfast54]

wmoses wrote:

Keith Haw wrote:
I don't think anyone was questioning your knowledge, seems most have the same opinion that they handle better. So I'm having a little trouble understanding the sarcastic response, but to each there own.

You and me both ... You saved me the trouble of responding to him.

Ahhhhhh.BUT you did............:W

WOW..Lighten up DUDES...............:E:E

And, Sarcasm Is One of my Free offers.....no extra charge.................:W

Oh...If you are going to find fault with me, I may as well be the Grammer Police Also..................it is "Their" ..............not There. There is a Place.As IN "I wrote my comment up there".......:S

[thomasmnile]

Doug33 wrote:
My tires have more than 18" gap between them. I can't imagine making the X-chocks actually work with that spacing.

That's curious. The tread to tread space between the axles on our WhiteHawk is 16", the hub to hub (center) distance on the axles (Dexter 3500 lb)is 60". But several folks have posted on these pages they have bought the extended "X" chocks and they work well, though I don't know what their maximum expansion distance is fully extended. That's why I went with the old style wedge chocks, and they do fine, just a little more effort at setup and takedown.........

[Doug33]

My tires have more than 18" gap between them. I can't imagine making the X-chocks actually work with that spacing.

[69_Avion]

Huntindog wrote:
Wide spacing is primarily done so a lighter weight frame can be used. As the OP noted, it is popular in the ultra light class.
My concern on tight turns isn't the tire scuffing. But the added strain on the spring hangers. I have had these break on me on normal spaced/heavy framed units.
This is a major PITA. Had to go home empty, get my jacks, stands , welder grinder and generator to weld it up in camp, as the TT was not safe to move.

With the lighter weight frame, this is more likely to occur.
It is not something that happens over night, but overtime as the metal fatigues.

If I had one of these units, I would try hard to avoid sharp turns, and inspect the hangers before every trip.

You are correct.

I haven't made a living out of hauling trailers across the country, but I have hauled several of mine across the country at very high freeway speeds. I have never had an issue with the handling of one of my trailers. I've been building equipment trailers on and off since 1975. I used to have an overhead crane and a nice place to work, now I still have the jig, but I don't make these for resale anymore. I've built enough of them over the years to say that I have a reasonable amount of experience on what works. As I stated earlier, if I had the choice, I would pick the standard spacing with the stronger frame. The reasons are somewhat obvious, but to state that the further spread axles tow better is probably an overstatement. Any misaglignment of a wider spread axle will be magnified by the distance the axles are spread apart. Also remember that misaligned axles will "fight" each other when trying to track straight, in either configuration, but the issue is magnified as the axles are spread apart. I have built the triple axle trailers before and years ago I came to the conclusion that it is better to stick with a heavy tandem axle and then go right to tandem duals and skip the triple axle trailer. The tire scuffing is an issue and the heavier the load the more of an issue it becomes. Having said that, one of the nicest towing travel trailers that I have owned is a triple axle unit, but it doesn't have enough weight to rip the tires apart unless you continuously make "U" turns with it.

For those concerned, don't be afraid of the trailers with the wide spread axles. The manufacturers do this for weight and frame reasons. They will tow just fine as long as they are built properly. You just need to understand the tire scuffing issue which does put more strain on the suspension components.

If someone runs across a trailer that doesn't tow well and fish tails, my bet is a tongue weight issue more than an axle spread issue.


Safe towing to everyone. Have a nice day.

[wmoses]

Keith Haw wrote:
I don't think anyone was questioning your knowledge, seems most have the same opinion that they handle better. So I'm having a little trouble understanding the sarcastic response, but to each there own.

You and me both ... You saved me the trouble of responding to him.

[Keith_Haw]

bfast54 wrote:
Being as I haul trailers for the Mfgs.......................I notice a huge difference, in TT, with the wider spacing.........I.E. Passport type,as opposed to the traditional spacing , in 26--30 ft and larger trailers.................


I had an entry level TT, that I hauled from Goshen, to Eastern PA.................Base model, 30 ft in length................it fought me every mile of the way................sway, fishtail...........I felt sorry for the sucker, who would eventually own this piece of CRAP..................(I have a Crew Cab, Dually Long bed rig....so, it was not my truck that was the issue.)..........


I LOVE hauling "Passport" type of rigs...................!!!!!!..Course, Don' t take my word for it, I only haul Thousands of miles every year.........so, I don't really know ........what I am talking about....................:W

Better you should listen to the "EXPERTS" on here................:S

I don't think anyone was questioning your knowledge, seems most have the same opinion that they handle better. So I'm having a little trouble understanding the sarcastic response, but to each there own.

[Huntindog]

Wide spacing is primarily done so a lighter weight frame can be used. As the OP noted, it is popular in the ultra light class.
My concern on tight turns isn't the tire scuffing. But the added strain on the spring hangers. I have had these break on me on normal spaced/heavy framed units.
This is a major PITA. Had to go home empty, get my jacks, stands , welder grinder and generator to weld it up in camp, as the TT was not safe to move.

With the lighter weight frame, this is more likely to occur.
It is not something that happens over night, but overtime as the metal fatigues.

If I had one of these units, I would try hard to avoid sharp turns, and inspect the hangers before every trip.

[mowermech]

I can think of two advantages of the wider spaced axles:
Stability. The wider spacing will enhance stability. It may not be readily noticeable, but it does, just as closely spaced tandem axles are more stable than a single axle under a trailer of the same length.
Tire chains. The day may come when you find yourself in a situation where chains are required on the trailer. With closely spaced tires, the chains on one tire can beat the heck out of the other tire (chains are usually required only on one axle).
If I ever go back to a TT, I would like to have the wide spaced axles.

[bfast54]

Being as I haul trailers for the Mfgs.......................I notice a huge difference, in TT, with the wider spacing.........I.E. Passport type,as opposed to the traditional spacing , in 26--30 ft and larger trailers.................


I had an entry level TT, that I hauled from Goshen, to Eastern PA.................Base model, 30 ft in length................it fought me every mile of the way................sway, fishtail...........I felt sorry for the sucker, who would eventually own this piece of CRAP..................(I have a Crew Cab, Dually Long bed rig....so, it was not my truck that was the issue.)..........


I LOVE hauling "Passport" type of rigs...................!!!!!!..Course, Don' t take my word for it, I only haul Thousands of miles every year.........so, I don't really know ........what I am talking about....................:W

Better you should listen to the "EXPERTS" on here................:S

[69_Avion]

The wide space axle trailers will scuff the tires more. The reason the manufacturers do this is so that they have more support (over a longer area) for a trailer that may not have as heavy of a frame as it should have with the axles closer together.

Do they tow well?
If the axles are aligned properly, they will tow just fine. Think of how a triple axle trailer tows. They scuff real bad, in a tight turn, but they usually tow real well.

My preference is having the stronger frame and the axles closer together, but for some designs while trying to keep the weight down, that may not be what the manufacturer prefers.

Have you ever noticed a large semi truck trailer with the axles spread further apart? It is done for a reason, but you don't see many like that because of the scuffing issues that it creates.

[wmoses]

Having wider spacing enahnces directional stability which runs counter to the ability to turn. In other words the trailer naturally wants to continue in a straight line, and turning causes more tread scuffing. Now whether this difference (a foot maybe) is seen at the cab - probably only when travelling in windy conditions or when a semi blows by in the opposite direction.

As for loading on the frame - the wider the spacing the better, but again, with maybe a foot difference between closely spaced and widely spaced, the difference is probably negligible. I would expect that, in general, the longitudinal bending stress in the frame would lower with the wider spaced wheels, but I would have to see how the axles are attached to be sure.

Regarding chocking - spacing makes little difference, and if there was a difference in resisting rolling while chocked, it would favour the closer spaced wheels as the chock mechanism (whatever the design) would be more compact and less prone to racking loads.

With respect to bounce - wider spacing would only improve the teeter-totter effect, but given that the RV is hitched to the truck this effect may be a more sublte improvement in motion control. There is no significant differnce when driving over smooth terrain.

My 2 cents.

[Lowsuv]

the concept is with the wider spaced axles the trailer will track straightly at expressway speeds.
i believe this is a reaction to the proliferation of lightweight suv's and the sales increase of F 150 pickups .
Because an F150 is 1000 pounds lighter than an F 250 the towed rectangle is more likely to move the F150 in the wake created by semis .
the spread axle is a partial remedy for this .