Boat fender clearance

[Fishing56]

Hi,
I have a Roadmaster single axle trailer that was custom made for my 1996 Mariah 18ft Shabah with a 4.3LX. The gvwr is 3500 and gawr is 3300 with 215/75r 14" tires. The problem is I have only 1/2" clearance on the tires and fenders. Has cut into the tires pretty severly.

About to replace tires. What would be the best and easiest way to raise the frame height? Shackles...spring lift kit?

Your comments will be appreciated.
Fishing56

By the way tires are Marathon load C rated at 1755 lbs each.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Boat fender clearance

drop down to 185's or 195's

 

[Fishing56]

Re: Boat fender clearance

Thanks. Would I lose any weight capacity by going down?

Fishing56

 

[robert graham]

Re: Boat fender clearance

Maybe raise, modify or replace fenders, Northern Tool has plenty of fenders, don't cost much, easy to mount. Good Luck!

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Boat fender clearance

not as long as you buy tires with the same weight rating or higher

 

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: Boat fender clearance

not as long as you buy tires with the same weight rating or higher

This is iboats version of a like button. But you might want to check travel and look up diameters first to insure it will work.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Boat fender clearance

If you change the size of the tire down, you are definitley going to affect the weight rating of the tire if you are already at the max ply rating of the size you currently have.

 

[Fishing56]

Re: Boat fender clearance

Thanks to all. My first thought was to install either shackles or some type of lift block between the leaf sprind and the axle. Upon inspection, the both the top and bottom of leaf spring have notches in them for centering and stability I suppose.

The bottom stud is longer with a nut on it. This is where I need to place the spacer between the spring and axle. I did one side with two 2" washers. The frame was lowered down and I was able to line up and pop the stud into the hole in the axle. Tightened up ubolts ect. Thought about spot welding the washers onto the axle but haven't yet as it seems the connection was rigid.

Am I running an suspension failure risk with this approach? I can't see that the stress would be real high on the stud once it is aligned and clamped down.

Sorry about being too wordy,
Fishing56

PS. Shackel kits bolts were smaller than those on trailer, so was worried about strength and size difference with leaf springs.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Boat fender clearance

Are these the original springs on this trailer?
It is about 15 years old and hauls a heavy boat for a single axle.
It may be time to look into new springs.

Is it a constant tire rub or just when you hit rough pavement?

 

[Fishing56]

Re: Boat fender clearance

Tires are original tires, so they are going on 14 or 15 years. I have about 1/2 inch clearance, so only cuts a groove into thread on bumps etc. Think this problem was from the getgo, I just didn't realize it at the time. Of course if and cargo at all in boat, just makes it worse.

The washer install got me a 1" clearance, just not sure of the engineering.

Fishing56

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Boat fender clearance

This is iboats version of a like button. .

HUH?

 

[Fishing56]

Re: Boat fender clearance

Just a couple of footnotes for all:

Boat is always stored in garage.
Only about 5 miles to lake.
Tread wear on tires is less than 50%.

Thanks,
Fishing56

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Boat fender clearance

well I did a little checking and I couldn't find a 14" trailer tire smaller than a 205 which works out to be only .2" smaller in diameter than the 215.... I also didn't see any 13" tires with the propper weight rating so it looks like you do indeed need to lift the suspension or fenders....

I'm not sure what you were saying about axles washers and shackles... You can use lift blocks on a trailer but new springs might be a better idea..... I wouldn't mess with longer shackles though

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Boat fender clearance

New springs with one extra leaf should cure the problem.
I would not feel good about using washers for spacers between the axle and spring.
Just a set of new springs with the same rating would really help.

 

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: Boat fender clearance

HUH?

Facebook reference. Got thinking I liked (I think it was your) the comment and made a Facebook reference. Sorry

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Boat fender clearance

AHHHHHHHHH no prob jus didn't get it..... I thought you were saying my comment was the iboats version of like..... LOL.... makes more sense now