What is Minimum Distance Between Tandem Axle Tires

Updated 10/05/2015 | Published 10/03/2015

Question:

I have a 5th wheel camping trailer. 7000 lb axels, 235 80 R16 trailer tires. I have had many blowouts. I have spent over $800 for an allignment. I feel my tires are too close together and may hit going down the road. Brackets 27 in apart. Holes center to center 29.5. Most trailers I see the tires are further apart. What do i need to do to get my tires further apart. When I had my allignment i asked them to spread my tires apart. All they did was remove the floating hangers on the front and real brackets. Originally there were floating brackes on each end of the springs. This only helped a little bit. Wheel chalks that go between tires will not fit they are so close together.

asked by: Paul P

Expert Reply:

As a general rule of thumb the minimum safe distance between front and rear tires on the same side of a tandem axle trailer is 4 inches. If you are at that distance currently there would be no reason to increase the distance.

Tire failure is usually caused by a few things. It can be from overloading the trailer, improper tire inflation, and/or exceeding the speed rating for the tire.

You should verify that the tire capacity you have for you trailer is adequate for how much your trailer weighs.

The pressure run in the tires makes a big difference in longevity too. ST tires should be ran with the full pressure rating stated on the side of the tire (like you said you have done), for full load capacity and longevity of the tire. If lower pressures are ran the tire will heat faster and hotter and fail prematurely.

Special trailer tires are usually rated to operate at a maximum speed of 65 mph. If you exceed 65 mph, heat could build up in the tire and cause it to break down and fail. If a tire is rated to run at a higher speed, this information should be listed on the trailer's sidewall.

To increase the distance between the axles will require you to go with longer leaf springs and that will require you to move your current hangers farther apart. How long are you current springs measured from eye center to eye center without a load on them?

expert reply by: Jameson C