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car trailer question

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  1. #1
    ozzy214 started this thread.
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    car trailer question

    Got a question. What width do I need between the tires on a trailer to haul most any car/truck?

    I just broke down a 15 ft camper and kept the deck since it solid. ONly problem is the tires stick up through the floor and I cant figure out how the hell to make something out of wood that can handle the weight of the car going over it. So Im curious if I have enough room between the tires for most cars.



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    Since I've owned 2 car trailers I can say that if I were going to build one I would make sure that no cross member is wide enough that the length of the tire will fall through if the deck were to give out. In other words just wide enough to keep a tire from falling through, hope I understood your question correctly and hope this helps a little.
    Last edited by Ptscrapper; 04-20-2012 at 12:39 PM.
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    I would say average is at least 82" between the fenders if you want to be able to haul a wide variety of cars.

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    82 or 83 will get most anything less got 12" wide tires or sum dually set a Lil wider. If you build a fender strong enough to drive on could get by with Lil less
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    Deck over is the only way to go. And make it 8 foot wide.

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    ozzy214 started this thread.
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    Hmmm....6-8ft basically between fenders? Hmm...wonder if I can put blocks in between the spring and axle to make the tire drop down far enough to make a smooth deck. Im not much of a welder or fabricator.....so trying to do it as pain free as I can lol.

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    gustavus is offline Metal Recycling Entrepreneur
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    Axles are rated by the number wheel studs, for instance 5 bolt rims are 3500 lb axles, if you have a pair your GVW is 7,000 lbs.

    My car trailer has a pair of 3500 lb axles both with brakes, electric winch, empty it weighs 1100 lbs so I'm good for a 5900 lb payload, some larger vehciles put me over the legal weght.

    I've never put a scale under the tongue jack to know how much weight is being transferred onto the truck hitch, any weight added to the hitch would transalate to axle weight on the truck thus lowering the total payload that the truck is licensed for.

    A heavy tongue could put the truck overweight on a government scale, this is where pulling a wagon has its advantages but a ***** to back up.

    Improper placement of axles under the frame and lenght of towing tongue will make or break a trailers performance, a nicely engineered trailer you'll never know its behind you and will be a treat to back up into tight spots.

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    Quote Originally Posted by biscuit View Post
    Axles are rated by the number wheel studs, for instance 5 bolt rims are 3500 lb axles, if you have a pair your GVW is 7,000 lbs.
    this is not always true i have 5 bolt hubs and the axles are only rated at 1500 a piece also have 5 colt that are rated at 3500,5000,7000, on different trailers also alot of the camper frames are not strong enough u have to build alot of supports and bracing .

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    Not anything to do withe your question...But I am about to rip apart 2 1978 dodge concords...Both with the big 440 in them....Are you anywhere NY? These suckers have the big ass Dually rear ends in them....

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    ozzy214 started this thread.
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    Im in Pennsylvania, down by Scranton, if thats what ya asking. Why ya need help?

  12. #11
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    ONly problem is the tires stick up through the floor and I cant figure out how the hell to make something out of wood that can handle the weight of the car going over it
    I posted this in another thread but when we used to race stockcars at the local track you would have the front wheel cocked (on the racecar) so it would not always fit on a skinny trailer like your describing. What the guys would do is get some old heavy duty mud flaps from a semi tractor. Cut them to size and bolt them on each side of the tire (front and back), that way you have your fender and you can run over it and it'll give, then spring back into shape after you run over it. If you happen to tear it up, just cut another hunk of flap.
    If the tires aren't sticking up too far then you can drive over them also.
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    Sounds to me like you would be better off buying a car trailer.


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