Spreading tires further apart for more stability

hcf · Jun 1, 2013

Greetings,

Due to hilly land I'm considering moving the wheels/tires further apart for more stability on a LS5030C. Owner's manual says center to center distance between back tires can be changed from the default of 56.14" to 65.59" in four steps. The front tires may also be spread out. Has anyone done this? If so, do you think the increased stability is worth the effort?

As it may be necessary to flip the tires around on the wheels, I'd sure like to do this before filling the tires.

Thanks for your advice,

HCF

Deerherd · Jun 1, 2013

I had the dealer widen fronts and rears on my P7030 and it does help a lot. The valves are on the inside of the tires but isn't a problem. What you may want to consider is the width of your attachments, at the widest you will most likely be over 72" overall width. Mine went to 90" and now requires 8' implements to cover the tracks. Good luck!

Gary Fowler · Jun 7, 2013

I have them set on my P7010 to 83" so it will just fit between the fenders on my trailer. The rears were set from the dealer but the fronts were wider than that, so I had to put the inner part of the wheel on the opposite side of the lugs on the outer rim so they matched the outside dimensions of the rears. Not a big chore for the front tires with only air in them. I have the rears loaded with water now so moving them would be a chore but they are as wide as I can use them and still haul it if needed. I think, adding the water ballast makes more difference in stability than widening the tires, but doing both will really add to the stability.

Gale Hawkins · Jun 7, 2013

I agree on flipping the tires on rims before filling IF you are going to run wide 100% of time to the tread bite is correct.

BleedingOrange · Jun 7, 2013

Will swapping the left wheel for the right wheel gain you anything in width, without having to remove and re-instal tires ?
Could you post a pick of your rims ?

TSO · Jun 8, 2013

You guys are luck in that you can do this with your rigs... I have been considering this for my R4047 (our tires don't have the "flip-a-doo" feature). I think the only option for me would be spacer/adapters. There's a guy on ebay that makes & sells them. I would imagine that, as long as it doesn't affect where you go, and where you fit... it will be all "pros" (in the pros/cons list).

Deerherd · Jun 10, 2013

Guido455 said:
Will swapping the left wheel for the right wheel gain you anything in width, without having to remove and re-instal tires ?
Could you post a pick of your rims ?

Here's a couple of photos showing the front rims at their widest. I believe you could get some gains by switching the wheels side to side but can't remember how much.