Cause of Tire to Fender Gap Different Between Sides of Trailer

Published 01/16/2018

Question:

Hello. When I parked my trailer I noticed that the fender/tire gap on one side was different than the other. One side I can fit my hand sideways tire to fender and on the other side about 3 fingers or less...is this an issue? Looking under it the axle and suspension look ok? It has been riding a little rough lately I dont know what the issue could be. thx

asked by: Justin C

Expert Reply:

There are a few possible reasons as to why you are experiencing some sag on just one side of your trailer.

If the trailer is loaded, it might simply be a case of more weight being on one side of the trailer. This would also lead to the rough ride you are having lately. Simply redistribute some of your cargo to see if this levels out the two sides. I also recommend making sure that you are parked on completely level ground, as a slight incline can certainly lead to the measurement variation you are seeing.

If everything looks okay, then there is likely an issue with the suspension or axle. Check again to make sure the suspension looks the same on both sides, checking for worn out springs that might be sagging. Take a look at your tires to see if you can notice any difference in wear between the two sides, which would also be an indication of axle or suspension issues.

Lastly, you can take a couple quick measurements from the ground to your fender, simply to make sure the fenders themselves are level.

expert reply by: Chris R