Determining Tire to Frame Clearance When Using Hanger Kit # APT5 and 145R12 Tires  

Question:

Expert Reply:

It sounds like you are wanting to make sure you will have proper clearance between the top of your tires and the frame when using the etrailer.com Tandem-Axle Trailer Hanger Kit # APT5. We can definitely figure this out but it will depend on the type of leaf springs you are using as well.

To determine clearance with your setup you will add the 4 inch frame height to the height of these hangers (3-3/4 inches). Then take that number and add to it the distance from the eyelet on your leaf springs to the top of the springs. For example on the 3-Leaf # e84SR this distance is 3-3/16 inches. Then to this running total you will add the spring thickness, which using the 3-Leaf set above as the example would be 3/4 inch. Lastly to this you will add 1/2 of the axle's diameter, for which we will use 1-1/2 inches (for a 3 inch axle) as an example.

Using this example this brings the total number to 13.19 inches. Whatever this number ends up being for you using your particular leaf spring stack, it needs to be at least 4-1/2 inches more than the half of the tire's diameter, which for a 145R12 size unit would be 10.65 inches.

With the leaf springs we used above we have a difference of + 2.54. Since we recommend having at least 4-1/2 inches of clearance between the top of the tires and frame/fender this woudn't be sufficient.

If you can tell me what leaf springs you plan on using I will be happy to give you an answer specific to your setup. Otherwise you can simply plug in the numbers from your springs to the above formula to get your clearance.

expert reply by: Chris R

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