edmichit Posted May 1, 2008 Report Share Posted May 1, 2008 So the good news is, i got a new tire for my trailer. The bad news.....well i'm not sure what caused the tire wear only on one side of the trailer. I have not traveled enough with this boat to create this kind of wear in the last few years. Left side tire is fine, (normal wear), right side see pictures below. So any expert advice would be appreciated, don't want to wear down this new tire, if something is wrong. I'm hoping it was just my negligence on tire pressure? (btw what do most of you set your tire pressure at? for bias ply) Could it be alignment? it trailers fine(pulls straight) looking for your thoughts and comments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roy Posted May 1, 2008 Report Share Posted May 1, 2008 Sounds like too much toe-in to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muskieman Posted May 1, 2008 Report Share Posted May 1, 2008 uneven wear on a trailer signifies a bent spindle or a faulty wheel bearings in your hub.... I've never seen a single trailer tire wear on the outside 100% on the inside..... if you axles were mounted on an angle[out of horizontal alignment] it would wear one on the inside and one on the outside. you may check this " kinda sorta " with a level while parked on level ground... I've seen pothole bent spindles more than once.... start off by checking the bearings... Good Luck !! Randy... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grimace Posted May 1, 2008 Report Share Posted May 1, 2008 Jack the tires off the ground and wiggle side to side. If there is significant play the bearings might be shot. Just had the same thing happen on my 06 trailer. The bearings were not properly installed. Good thing my father is a millright. He took care of it. I got a new set on now. Perfect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irishfield Posted May 1, 2008 Report Share Posted May 1, 2008 (edited) Yep.. as Roy points out either a bent axle = some toe in or postive caster..... or look back in your mirror while you're towing. Are you running that tire down the edge of the pavement and need to drive closer to the yellow line? See way too many people that forget the trailer is wider than their car/truck. Oh.. and boat trailer tires are generally 50psi Edited May 1, 2008 by irishfield Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grimace Posted May 1, 2008 Report Share Posted May 1, 2008 I just wanted to add that my tires wore exactly like yours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Bob Posted May 2, 2008 Report Share Posted May 2, 2008 The number 1 cause to uneven tire wear on trailers is that the tire was never balanced. However, I am not saying for sure that's your problem or only problem. I can't inspect your trailer from here but like other said check the end play of your bearings, check to see it the axle shifted slightly on that side etc......... I had similar wearings on trailer tires and really got tired of it after a while. Those "special" trailer tire cost way too much so here's what I did. I went down to my local Sam's Club and purchased two automotive RADIAL tires in the approx size needed and had them mount and BALANCE the tires. Now over 10 years later problem is still gone. With the "special" trailer tires (not balanced) I was only getting 3-4 year at BEST out of my tires. Believe me the automotive RADIAL tires where less than HALF of what I was paying for the "special" trailer tires and a LOT easier to get. I will never go back to "special" tires again. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mercforever Posted May 2, 2008 Report Share Posted May 2, 2008 brand new boat and trailer two season"s ago,had to replace both tires last week,100% due to under inflated,learned my lesson....run them 5lbS under the max... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherman Posted May 2, 2008 Report Share Posted May 2, 2008 Bent spindle/axle causing the tire to scuff on the outside while rotating, has nothing to do with balancing. Out of balance may cause scuffing at certain points, but not all around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sinker Posted May 2, 2008 Report Share Posted May 2, 2008 I had a tire that looked like that, just after the axle snapped off. Are you sure your axle is not bent? Just from where it mounts to the spring, to the spindle? That's where mine went.....I could hardly see it, it was that close to the spring. On the underside of the axle, there was a hole where the spring fit in. Well, that hole caused the whole problem......she snapped right off. Lucky I was close to home when it happened. Take a good look at it. Sinker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muskymike Posted May 2, 2008 Report Share Posted May 2, 2008 Have a look at a haines manual. they show wear and causes there are about 15 different wear patterns Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edmichit Posted May 2, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 2, 2008 thanks, great advice as always. I guess it won't hurt to change the bearings(due anyway). Check the axle, likely easiest when the wheel is off. Check the axle alignment/level as well. a new axle.....likely the most expensive part of a trailer i would think. i'll let you know what i find out. thanks again, i appreciate the advice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sinker Posted May 2, 2008 Report Share Posted May 2, 2008 If you need a new axle, let me know. I have a connection in Lindsay for used, but great condition axles. I got mine with hubs and bearing buddies for $40!!! Sinker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edmichit Posted May 2, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 2, 2008 thanks, i might need to take you up on that. I really hope its not the axle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edmichit Posted May 6, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2008 UPDATE checked axle, seems ok, and unlikely cause of trouble, metal looks to be unstressed. I couldnt confirm since this typle of trailer axle (shorelander) is round, and deeps to go under the transom of the boat. checked bearing play, seemed solid, no wiggle in it. so that leaves tire inflation (under inflation) the likely factor.....that and my neglect to monitor it all last season new digital tire inflation gauge now in truck. inflation set at 45lbs, 5lbs less then spec.....anyone suggest differently? thanks for the help Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sinker Posted May 6, 2008 Report Share Posted May 6, 2008 Sounds good to me. My trailer tires take 80lbs.......talk about rock hard tires!! Sinker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irishfield Posted May 7, 2008 Report Share Posted May 7, 2008 Put the 50psi in that is spec'd ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Bob Posted May 7, 2008 Report Share Posted May 7, 2008 Tire BALANCE is definitely a cause to tire wear. I wouldn't tow a trailer of any kind any distance without the tires being balanced. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sinker Posted May 7, 2008 Report Share Posted May 7, 2008 Tire BALANCE is definitely a cause to tire wear. I wouldn't tow a trailer of any kind any distance without the tires being balanced. Bob I've never balanced a trailer tire in my life. We just bought a brand new Yacht Club tandem, and i can't see any weights on the tires. I've never even heard of trailer tires getting balanced...... Sinker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Bob Posted May 7, 2008 Report Share Posted May 7, 2008 I've never balanced a trailer tire in my life. We just bought a brand new Yacht Club tandem, and i can't see any weights on the tires. I've never even heard of trailer tires getting balanced...... Sinker Sinker, your right you hardly see "boat" trailer tires balanced and you will never see one balanced from a dealer because 1) they probably don't have a tire balancing machine 2) this raises the cost of their product HOWEVER, I HIGHLY recommend having them balanced. This will save unneeded trailer vibrations and tire wear. If you are only towing the boat a few miles then I guess it's not a big deal. But I have towed my rig all over the US and Ontario and being a mechanic I wouldn't dream of towing a boat trailer without having the tires properly balanced. BTW call one of your local travel trailer dealers and ask them if it's a good idea to have your tires balanced on your trailer (don't say boat trailer). I will bet you a dozen night crawlers that they say YES have the tires balanced. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zubris21 Posted May 7, 2008 Report Share Posted May 7, 2008 I will bet you a dozen night crawlers what an excellent wager! I love it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misfish Posted May 7, 2008 Report Share Posted May 7, 2008 I would say call Dale Jr and ask what the prob is. Toe In,Camber out. Maybe you need a bit of wedge. LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now