Benefits of spread axle?

[TRINDU]

Learn me.

Trailer is about to go through some repairs. Mainly building some drive over fenders out of 8" c channel. Spread axle seems to be all the rage these days, and I can see an advantage with weight distribution.

I can buy an equalizer of varrying lengths. Should move the rear axle further back and leave the front hanger alone? Move axles apart and leave equalizer mount in place? What's the proper formula? Was told 48" axle spread was the sweet spot?

36ft deck length. With a load like this, I can feel the ass wondering around more than usual. Nothing I cant manage and perfectly safe with the cruise set at 75mph. Most of the time its pull fine without any hiccup. Don't know it's back there except the weight. Just a 60mph vibe that comes and goes unloaded.

 

[fordguy]

single wheel goosenecks are... gay.

 

[Gbkeith]

The only spreads I’ve pulled have been floats and drop decks, so no direct comparison to what you’re doing. I’d rather have a closed axle group for tire scrub and maneuverability. Same reason I don’t like tri axle goosenecks.

Having said that, I think moving your rear axle back would help with what you’re talking about. Let us know how it goes.

 

[white-rhino]

I have a spread tri axle enclosed with torsion axles. Best towing trailer on the highway I have ever towed but it’s hard on tires doing tight turns. For cross country it’s great but really sucks in the city.

 

[arse_sidewards]

Slap four 7500 MH axles under that bitch. It'll go straight as an arrow no matter what you do.

 

[Tinstar]

Had one spread axle that I hauled a backhoe on (18,000lb machine). Wasn't able to keep tires on it from the scrub on turns.
Never again.

 

[zerobalance]

If you never get anywhere where you have to turn tight while loaded, sure. We had one spread axle and could not keep tires on it. They were constantly blowing out from the sidewalls getting killed by dragging them sideways turning around tight. It did tow great on the straight road though.

 

[TRINDU]

I’d rather have a closed axle group for tire scrub and maneuverability. Same reason I don’t like tri axle goosenecks.

Having said that, I think moving your rear axle back would help with what you’re talking about. Let us know how it goes.

Best towing trailer on the highway I have ever towed but it’s hard on tires doing tight turns. For cross country it’s great but really sucks in the city.

If you never get anywhere where you have to turn tight while loaded, sure. We had one spread axle and could not keep tires on it. They were constantly blowing out from the sidewalls getting killed by dragging them sideways turning around tight. It did tow great on the straight road though.

I'm cutting corners all the time, I'm not going to jackknife it, but 90° around city streets, I can only swing out so much. Backing into drive off the road, etc.

Tires are 18 ply 17.5s. So I'm not stressed about sidewalls, but don't need to add failure points as well.

Need to figure out to omptimim/compromise on equalizer length.

 

[white-rhino]

I've towed mine cross country multiple times without issues. I try my hardest to swing wide in the city and in gas stations. Never had a flat on any trip.

That said, this year's trip to Sand Hollow was different. We spent 3 days crossing Colorado leaf peeping and hitting a bunch of switchback roads. (as in 10-15 mph switchbacks) I ended up with 2 blowouts and replacing a total of 5 tires. Every tire showed stress in the treads from side scrubbing. (note; every tire on the trailer was at least 2 years old and had miles on them)

So yeah, if you are doing a lot of city and tight turns, avoid spread axles - at least in the triaxle vintage.