Tire wear

[pumpstack]

Does anyone know what would cause very premature wear at inside treads of tires. Suspected bent axle so replaced axle, springs, hubs and tires. This either did not fix the problem or axle is bent again. Trailer is continental pretty much as is. Tire preassure 45lbs. thanks all

 

[gstanton]

Re: Tire wear

Sounds like you're pretty sure its the tires. Check on the sidewalls to determine what the load rating is and the pressure you need to be running to carry that load. For example mine are rated at 1750 each @ 55 psi. Thats 3500 per side on a dual axel for a total capacity of 7000 lbs. You never want to run underinflated - or over, as far as that goes!

 

[bubbakat]

Re: Tire wear

If it is wearing both tires and you replaced axle check to make sure you don't have a leaf spring moving back when you are pulling. You know dog tracking.<br /> did you put two new tires on it when you replaced axle if you didn't then your tires had already set the wear pattern and will continue to wear that way.

 

[n0ukf]

Re: Tire wear

What's the load rating of the axle and the weight of the boat (on trailer)? I saw one as a potential replacement for my brother's trailer that was rated for 3500lbs. In this case, if the boat is over 3000lbs dry, I'd say look for a heavier axle or go tandem.

 

[MIKE F]

Re: Tire wear

I had the same problem on my tandem axle Continental trailer. All 4 tires had excessive wear on the inside tread (they were always properly inflated). I brought it to one trailer shop and they said it was a problem with that brand of tire. I brought it to another shop and they reworked both axles. I forget what they called it, but they put a crown/bow/camber? in each axle. I replaced all four tires with the same brand and have not had any problems since. The boat also, is way under the capacity rating of the trailer/tires.

 

[dakotashooter2]

Re: Tire wear

Not only can overloading a trailer cause uneven wear but underloading can as well. Had a trailer for a 16' boat that I temporarily converted to haul a couple of canoes. Had little or no wear over many 1000s of miles towing the boat. Wore out the edges of two tires (8") and had one blowout on a 500 mile round trip with just the conoes on the trailer. Figure the axle was cambered to carry a certain load range. With not enough weight tires run on edges and trailer bounces. Logic says inside wear too much weight outside wear not enough (provided tires are properly inflated). This may not be your problem but is something to consider.

 

[Cobotr]

Re: Tire wear

Go to a good trailer repair facility and they can re-arc the axle for you.<br /><br />As Dakota said, the axles are pre-arced for a particular weight. As in, the tops of the tires are closer together when the trailer is empty (negative camber). Then when the trailer is loaded the axle flexes and the tires are near zero degree camber. Likewise, overload the trailer and the camber goes to possitive camber, thus wearing the insides of the tires.<br /><br />Another possibility is that the new axle is bent as in not aligned or collided with something.<br /><br />Either case can be corrected by a good trailer repair facility. They place the axle in a jig, then bend it to the proper alignment. Should cost around $100 per axle.

 

[TGattis]

Re: Tire wear

$100 bucks to repair?/rearc?<br /><br />New axle beam only no hubs 3500# w/grease fittings + shipping $65.00 or close to it.