Space Between Dual Tires

[magik235]

My motorhome is on a Chevy chassis. It has a 14 bolt rear axle with dual wheels. Currently there are 235 85R 16 tires on it. They are larger than stock but I would like to replace them with the same size. What is the minimum acceptable space between tires?

 

[4xcrazy]

not touching each other

 

[sweetk30]

not touching each other

x2 .

any sidewall puffing / touching creates heat and can weaken / blow sidewall out.

I know there pricey but get heavy steel belt casing tires if you can . then it wont feel like riding on a wet sponge with all std 10 ply nylon belted tires.

hold the new tire before rim mounted. try and flex the sidewall . if its like paper you will be on the wet sponge ride ( as I call it ) you want stuff hard sidewalls . cause your top heavy and big monstor .

 

[thatK30guy]

I've heard minimum 1/2" space but I would rather see 1" space between them for safetys sake. This is with the maximum recommended air pressure per tire with the full weight resting on them.

 

[magik235]

I have 1/4" between tires and I am concerned that it is not enough space.

 

[sweetk30]

little tight I think . coming for a 12+ year tire guy .

and different tires have different side wall width . so almost have to test fit 2 tires on 1 side and look at it .

 

[kennyw]

What you want is 1/2" minimum space left between the tires when the vehicle is at maximum load capacity. You don't want to get a rock trapped in between the tires. 235/85R16's are a common size on 6.5" wide dually wheels from the factory. They should be fine as long as you have a 10 ply or better rating.

Right now I am running 255/85R16's with about 1" space unloaded. My tires will rub with 300 gallons of water loaded in the back of the truck.

 

[magik235]

My new tires touch each other at the bulge. I am looking for feedback on my 2 options of adding a 1/2" spacer or adding a 1" adapter.

 

[kennyw]

I think 2" is the smallest adapter you can get for dual wheels. 1/2" spacer will only work if the studs are long enough and you have a hub center that is wide enough. 1/2" spacer will not work on my pickup D70 because the outer wheel would no longer be on the centering surface.

 

[kennyw]

http://wheeladapter.com/dually_spacers.php

 

[kennyw]

Do you have access to a lathe? I have some ideas to get a simple 9/16" spacer between the wheels that would involve turning down the OD of the bearing hub and pressing on a thin shoulder made from DOM tubing. I found studs that are 9/16" longer than stock on my D70.

 

[kennyw]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Dodge-Ram...ts=Make:Chevrolet&hash=item3f24c3ca0d&vxp=mtr

 

[magik235]

This is the adapter I was considering.

http://www.ezaccessory.com/Wheel_Adapter_8_Lug_6_5_To_8_Lug_6_5_p/8650-8650d.htm

 

[63chevyll]

Why not a 1/4 spacer.

On that note I ran 70000 miles with 235s on my dually. ..zero issues. Yes they touched

My morothome has 235s on a 14 bolt dually they have rubbed for 15 years.

I have worked on trucks with evidence of rubbage....yes I made up that word

Honestly, I think folks get a little too worrried about it

 

[kennyw]

This is the adapter I was considering.

http://www.ezaccessory.com/Wheel_Adapter_8_Lug_6_5_To_8_Lug_6_5_p/8650-8650d.htm

That adapter does not account for hub centric wheels on the dually. The adapters I posted have an extra lip on the outside that will center the outer wheel.

 

[magik235]

I ordered these adapters. http://www.wheeladapter.com/dually_adapters.php

 

[magik235]

I installed a steel spacer between my RV's dual rear wheels to separate them so they would have adequate clearance.

Before, the wheels are touching.

Spacer installed on inner wheel.

Finished installation.