Tire Clearance on Tandem Axle Trailer....

[PAkev]

I've had my new rig about a month now and someone pointed out to me that my front left side trailer tire is extremely close to the rear of the fender (about 3/4 of an inch). The right side is more than 2 inches from the rear of the fender. I am not noticing any evident problems when towing but it seems like the 3/4 inch is a little too close and may end up getting pinched when going over bumps. The trailer is a Venture tandem & torsion axles with a 3500 lb capacity and a 2500 lb 19ft fiberglass center console sitting on it. <br /><br />I was thinking of a few possibilities:<br />1. The axle crossbars may not be mounted straight.<br />2. The fenders may be mounted further back on one side than the other.<br />3. The torsion axle may be sprung and need to be pulled back away from the fender.<br /><br />Is this something I should give more attention to or is this normal with torsion axles?<br /><br />Helpful advice appreciated<br /><br />Kevin

 

[Bondo]

Re: Tire Clearance on Tandem Axle Trailer....

You should do some measuring to see Where,+ What's Bent........

 

[Bass Runner]

Re: Tire Clearance on Tandem Axle Trailer....

Sounds like you have a bent fender, i assume this is a single axle trailer, a easy check is to measure from the front spring hanger on each side to the tounge and compare then measure from the rear spring hangers to the rear corners of the trailer and compare, but it sounds like someone has stepped on one of your fenders and deformed it a little.

 

[PAkev]

Re: Tire Clearance on Tandem Axle Trailer....

Upon a closer assesment today it appears the axle did indeed slide rearward or was mounted off center of the fenders. Tomorrow, I intend to jack the front wheels off the ground, loosen the U bolts holding the crossbar to the frame and hopefully slide the crossbar forward. I am also hopeful there is enough slack in the surge brake lines that this can be done without too much dificulty.

 

[Bass Runner]

Re: Tire Clearance on Tandem Axle Trailer....

Some trailers have tie bolts that have a pin that goes in the axle, better check someone may have hit something with your trailer before you got it and sheard the pin off it so you better replace it or the axle will slide again if this is a new trailer i think i would contact the dealer and tell them that it was damaged when you got it, assuming you havent hit anything with it. They might fix it. Alingment on a tandem is critical or it will eat your tires up.

 

[PAkev]

Re: Tire Clearance on Tandem Axle Trailer....

I DID IT<br /><br /><br />I brought the boat down to the lake today and tied it up to the dock. Then I jacked the trailer from the front crossbar until both front wheels were off the ground, loosened the u bolts on both sides and then put a bottle jack with a wood block between the rear axle and front axle. This pushed the axle right where it belonged in the middle of the front fender. I measured from the rear of the trailer and made sure both wheels were in alignment, and then tightened th u bolts back up.<br /><br />Thanks for the helpful replies.<br /><br />Kevin