If understand Ed's comments correctly..
In an ideal situation the kingpin centerline intersects the ground at the center of tire contact patch with the ground.
If wheels are spaced out this changes to a little less than ideal, results in more tire scrub when turning.
Load on wheel bearings does change, the weight is now carried at a different point between the two bearings, so some leverage different than how bearings were intended to cary the load. Also dynamic load while turning, is increased. Yes same weight sitting still, but applied differently to the bearings.
With 1/2" per side none of that has changed much, but for sure there is a difference, and I agree likely not enough to bother.
For an extreme example of all above think about the 4x4 pickup guys who put wheels significantly wider and or different offset than original resulting in much wider track with, wheels that hang half or mostly out of fenders.
They do have much increased steering effort, tire wear, and bearing failure.
So at some point changing (effective) wheel offset does matter.
1/2" might not, but it is a change.
Grigg
