Going from 8" to 12" wheels -fender clearance?

[lakelover]

My 8" tires seem to get pretty warm on a 170 mile highway towing trip, so I thought maybe going up to 12" tires might be better. I tried the wheels and they fit the hubs, so my question is, how much fender clearance is needed?

There's no adjustment room in the current fender brackets and there is about 2" of clearance with the 12" tires. It has leaf springs. The trailer is rated for 1000lbs. and carries a 14' Starcraft SF14 utility boat and 20 hp two stroke, so it's not that heavy. I'd guess total weight to be around 300 lbs. or so.

 

[roscoe]

The only way to know if this will work is to know how much your springs flex.
If they are stiff, you should be ok.
If the trailer bounces like a bobble head doll, the tires might rub.

Gonna have to try it.
The tires will leave a black mark up inside the fender if it rubs.

You might be able to get more clearance if needed.
If the axle is mounted above the springs, maybe move it to the underside of the springs.
Or put a spacer between the axle and springs.

 

[lakelover]

The only way to know if this will work is to know how much your springs flex.
If they are stiff, you should be ok.
If the trailer bounces like a bobble head doll, the tires might rub.

Gonna have to try it.
The tires will leave a black mark up inside the fender if it rubs.

You might be able to get more clearance if needed.
If the axle is mounted above the springs, maybe move it to the underside of the springs.
Or put a spacer between the axle and springs.

Thanks, roscoe. I'll check it today. There's less clearance than my other 2 trailers. It may be easier to just replace the fenders. It's time to do a little renewal on this 1965 trailer anyway.

 

[matt167]

Just get a length of steel stock ( galvanized if you can ) with the holes in it. Bolt the fender to one side, and use extra holes in the steel stock to raise the fender a couple inches

 

[lakelover]

Just get a length of steel stock ( galvanized if you can ) with the holes in it. Bolt the fender to one side, and use extra holes in the steel stock to raise the fender a couple inches

That's another thought. The fenders are still solid and probably I can change or modify the brackets.

 

[Chris1956]

I do not like the look of the front spring support. That is too close to the tire, and it is sharp, unlike the fender. If the fender rubs, it will wear but not puncture the tire.

You can get new leaf springs pretty cheap. Get a pair of 23" springs, and new fenders or stretch/bend the existing fenders to match the length of the springs.

 

[lakelover]

I do not like the look of the front spring support. That is too close to the tire, and it is sharp, unlike the fender. If the fender rubs, it will wear but not puncture the tire.

You can get new leaf springs pretty cheap. Get a pair of 23" springs, and new fenders or stretch/bend the existing fenders to match the length of the springs.

Thanks, I'll check that, but I think it's just the way it looks in the picture.

 

[lakelover]

A bit of luck. I was able to raise the fender one inch and I think that will do it. Even more luck was that the bolts unscrewed after being on for 17 years. Not exactly the same angle photos, but before and after:

 

[roscoe]

Yeah !