Minimum Clearance Between Tires on Tandem Axle Trailer

Updated 07/29/2019 | Published 07/26/2019

Question:

I bought a trailer that has been refitted with 10k axles. When I put a load on the trailer the front and rear tire rub each other and the shackle between the two tires flips up.

asked by: Fred C

Expert Reply:

It is possible that the 10K axles that were retro-fitted to your trailer also had larger diameter wheels/tires installed on them to take advantage of the new axles' higher weight capacity. The bare minimum tire spacing on a tandem axle trailer is 2-inches unloaded and 1-inch when loaded. It looks like your unloaded trailer has at best 1-inch spacing and this is not enough.

You will need to either switch to smaller diameter wheels and/or tires (which may have a lower weight rating) or move at least one axle. This means that you would have to cut off hangers and have them welded back on in a new location by a professional welder. You might refer to the linked articles concerning trailer suspensions and axle placement.

Please note that just because two 10K axles were added to the trailer that does not necessarily mean that the entire trailer can handle the same load as the axles. That is a determination that can be made reliably only by the trailer maker or by a qualified engineer.

expert reply by: Adam R