Camper trailer wheel clearance

**JohnM** · 5th August 2008, 09:20 PM

Wheel track is a good point. Just had another look, measured rim lip to rim lip on the disco and its about 51 inches. With the car rims on the trailer its about 50 inches (inner lip to lip). With the 245/75/16 BFG muds, there's bugger all clearance so I will need to increase the axle size at a minimum of 2 inches (1 inch each side + original 15mm or so) which will put the trailer track at 52 inches; or probably better clearance - increase the axle by 3 inches (1+1/2 each side plus 15mm) with the trailer track at about 53 inches.

With the slightly wider track of the trailer either 1/2 inch or 1 inch wider per side will this show any noticeable towing effect?

**Utemad** · 5th August 2008, 09:40 PM

Originally Posted by LandyAndy

50mm min was the reccomendation from the trailer parts supplier when I built mine.
Andrew

I read that on a trailer parts website too.
Not sure what mine is but I think it is more as I have 225/75 16 and the trailer is built for 265/70 16. I have a wider axle so my tyres are flush with the outer guard which isn't what I wanted as if I get wider tyres one day I'll be up for a new axle to keep the tyres under the guards.

**Narangga** · 6th August 2008, 06:26 AM

Originally Posted by JohnM

With the slightly wider track of the trailer either 1/2 inch or 1 inch wider per side will this show any noticeable towing effect?

That's been the case on my camper (and 7X4 offroad box trailer) with both the Defender and the D2. I have not had a problem with it and it actually gives you a good sighter of the thing to see what it is doing. Given that amount of 'overhang' I don't consider it a worry but other might.

**WildOne** · 6th August 2008, 06:40 AM

Still busy building my offroad camper, tyres are 265/75/16 BFG's, chassis measurement from outside to outside of chassis rail is 1170mm, allowing 50mm clearance between the tyre and the chassis gave me an axle length of 68 inches, tow vehicle is td5 Disco.

**JohnM** · 7th August 2008, 04:41 PM

Thanks everyone for their input, have ordered a 68 inch axle which should fix it all up, allowing me to swap the tires from Disco and visa versa should the need arise.

Once again thanks to AULRO.

**Tank** · 7th August 2008, 08:45 PM

Originally Posted by JohnM

Wheel track is a good point. Just had another look, measured rim lip to rim lip on the disco and its about 51 inches. With the car rims on the trailer its about 50 inches (inner lip to lip). With the 245/75/16 BFG muds, there's bugger all clearance so I will need to increase the axle size at a minimum of 2 inches (1 inch each side + original 15mm or so) which will put the trailer track at 52 inches; or probably better clearance - increase the axle by 3 inches (1+1/2 each side plus 15mm) with the trailer track at about 53 inches.

With the slightly wider track of the trailer either 1/2 inch or 1 inch wider per side will this show any noticeable towing effect?

I would be wary of increasing track width over what the tow vehicle is, with a wider track on the trailer you may cause damage to the trailer wheels if you're in ruts made by the tow vehicle. You could end up pulling the tyres off the rims in deep hard ruts, I would keep the track the same width, or slightly narrower than the tow vehicle track, Regards Frank.

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