Re: My Thoughts On A Off Road Foamie
Posted: Mon Jul 15, 2019 12:51 pm
Just an “offroad thought” here:
What I’m working on now is a foamie that will be towed behind a 5 speed ninth gen. Corolla most of the time, but may be towed behind our lifted Jeep WJ now and then. I have been measuring, figuring, modifying our frame, and am about to order the Dexter Torflex axle I want (which replaces the old four bolt Torflex axle that was on this 1988 Jayco frame). That is effectively independent suspension for the trailer.
The plan is to use wheel adapters with the new five bolt axle. I will be able to run the Corolla wheels with 195/65R15 tires when towing with that, but will be able to run the Jeep wheels with 255/85R16 rubber when towing with the Jeep. That will allow me to swap from a 25” to a 33” tire, gaining 4” of ground clearance, and it will mean carrying only one spare.
The Torflex and aired-down 33” rubber should keep the trailer from getting beaten to death.
I think running the same wheels & tires as the tow vehicle is a plus, but it takes planning. Trailer wheels normally have zero offset. Both the Corolla wheels and the Jeep rims have significant positive offset. My 1988 Starlight car hauler uses 5 on 5-1/2 Jeep or half ton Ford wheels. I bought it in 1988, from a guy who used it once when he moved to the PNW. He ran a Ford F150 with 235/75R15 rubber, and the trailer was supplied with 235/75R15 “blems” (name buffed off) when new (it now wears 235/75R15 D trailer tires).
I will know more about cost when I finish the project.
What I’m working on now is a foamie that will be towed behind a 5 speed ninth gen. Corolla most of the time, but may be towed behind our lifted Jeep WJ now and then. I have been measuring, figuring, modifying our frame, and am about to order the Dexter Torflex axle I want (which replaces the old four bolt Torflex axle that was on this 1988 Jayco frame). That is effectively independent suspension for the trailer.
The plan is to use wheel adapters with the new five bolt axle. I will be able to run the Corolla wheels with 195/65R15 tires when towing with that, but will be able to run the Jeep wheels with 255/85R16 rubber when towing with the Jeep. That will allow me to swap from a 25” to a 33” tire, gaining 4” of ground clearance, and it will mean carrying only one spare.
The Torflex and aired-down 33” rubber should keep the trailer from getting beaten to death.
I think running the same wheels & tires as the tow vehicle is a plus, but it takes planning. Trailer wheels normally have zero offset. Both the Corolla wheels and the Jeep rims have significant positive offset. My 1988 Starlight car hauler uses 5 on 5-1/2 Jeep or half ton Ford wheels. I bought it in 1988, from a guy who used it once when he moved to the PNW. He ran a Ford F150 with 235/75R15 rubber, and the trailer was supplied with 235/75R15 “blems” (name buffed off) when new (it now wears 235/75R15 D trailer tires).
I will know more about cost when I finish the project.