How Much Tire Clearance Do You Need for Trailer Fenders on a Forest River Grey Wolf  

Question:

Expert Reply:

Hi Sheldon, that’s a really good thing to be paying attention to, because clearance is what keeps you from having tire contact when the suspension flexes over bumps.

That 3 inch guideline is more of a safe target than a strict requirement. At around 2 inches, you’re getting into a tighter range where it can still work, but it depends a lot on how your trailer is used and how much suspension travel you actually see. If you’re mostly on smooth roads and campgrounds, you may never have an issue. If you hit rougher roads, dips, or heavier loads, that’s when the tire can travel upward enough to get close to the fender.

It doesn’t automatically mean you need new leaf springs, but it is something worth taking a closer look at. If your springs are worn or sagging, that could definitely be contributing to the reduced clearance. In that case, replacing them would help bring the trailer back up to its proper ride height. Bad leaf springs often show visible flattening/inversion (losing their arch). If the springs are still in good shape and that 2 inch clearance is just how the trailer was built, then you’d just want to be mindful that you’re working with less margin than ideal.

Another thing to consider is whether your current tires are the factory size. Larger tires than stock can also eat into that clearance pretty quickly.

If you want to be completely confident before installing the fender part # HP66VR, it would help to know your tire size and whether your suspension looks level or slightly compressed when the trailer is loaded. I can help you find new leaf springs if needed.

Where do you usually take your Grey Wolf, more smooth campgrounds or rougher forest roads?

expert reply by: Heather A

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