Tires cupping/wearing very uneven...

[sasada]

Tires on my Shorelander trailer that is loaded with my 16' lund fishing boat are wearing very unevenly. Its almost like they are cupping. The brand of tire is Carlisle and I am very attentive to check tire pressure and bearing grease. I drive a Tundra Crewmax that is lifted 3" and when looking at the trailer hooked up to my truck there is no doubt the tongue is a good 2+" high, even with my 4" drop hitch. The tires were new 2 years ago and now have about 3500mi on them. There is no doubt they are shot and i need a new set this season. Im thinking the way my trailer tracks with the tongue being too high is ruining my tires...Is that possible?

 

[gbigskin]

Re: Tires cupping/wearing very uneven...

i would bet your axle needs aligned.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Tires cupping/wearing very uneven...

I would recommend dropping your tongue a bit. changing towing angle, changes axle thrust angles

also, are they cupped on the inside or outside?

 

[sasada]

Re: Tires cupping/wearing very uneven...

The seemed to be cupped in an irregular pattern all around the tire except for the very center.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Tires cupping/wearing very uneven...

if the center is not worn, your under inflated, or overloaded

 

[bgc]

Re: Tires cupping/wearing very uneven...

Do you have shocks on the trailer

 

[sasada]

Re: Tires cupping/wearing very uneven...

if the center is not worn, your under inflated, or overloaded

Hey Scott...i used to sell tires and know for a fact that they are not under inflated or overloaded. Yes, that would be my first guess as well but in this case it is neither. Any other thoughts?

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Tires cupping/wearing very uneven...

they are carlisle tires, could just be crappy tires

 

[joewithaboat]

Re: Tires cupping/wearing very uneven...

As stated above tongue needs to be level to get proper angles on the tires.

 

[sasada]

Re: Tires cupping/wearing very uneven...

Do you have shocks on the trailer

Yes, leaf spring.

 

[Chip Chester]

Re: Tires cupping/wearing very uneven...

Umm, shocks and springs are different things...

You might also check bearing adjustment. Quickest way to find if you have a significant problem is jack up/block one side of the trailer, and grab the wheel left/right and push in left/pull out right to see if there's any excess play in the bearings. Try top/bottom too. You shouldn't be able to feel any wobble. If you do, then your wheels are doing that going down the road. As stated above by others, level trailer='factory' alignment... +/- post-factory damage.

Chip

 

[sasada]

Re: Tires cupping/wearing very uneven...

Umm, shocks and springs are different things...

You might also check bearing adjustment. Quickest way to find if you have a significant problem is jack up/block one side of the trailer, and grab the wheel left/right and push in left/pull out right to see if there's any excess play in the bearings. Try top/bottom too. You shouldn't be able to feel any wobble. If you do, then your wheels are doing that going down the road. As stated above by others, level trailer='factory' alignment... +/- post-factory damage.

Chip

Understood. Right, i mis-spoke. Leaf springs, of the half dozen+ trailers i have owned i have yet to own one with shocks. Regardless, when i take the tires off i will definetly check for excess play.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Tires cupping/wearing very uneven...

I would measure from the center point on the hitch the each tire, I am thinking its out of alignment.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Tires cupping/wearing very uneven...

Same problem has been discussed here multiple times.
Everyone keeps saying the same thing.
After all the basics have been checked and found to be ok, there is one common thread to all the posts.

The tongue of the trailer is running up hill.

One member was going through a set of tires in about 500 miles.

It doesn't seem like this would have an effect, tires are round after all and the pivot around the axle.

So far, only one of the members has gotten back to us after leveling the tongue/frame, and increasing the tongue weight.
He reported that the wear problem appeared to go away.

 

[Blindduck]

Re: Tires cupping/wearing very uneven...

I would measure from the center point on the hitch to each tire, I am thinking its out of alignment.

I had this same problem on my boat after I bought it. Went through one set of tires in 6 months. Chalked it up to cheap tires. Second set started wearing bad as well. Then I measured from the back of the trailer to the back of each tire and found a 1 1/2" difference. Tracker replaced the bent axle under warranty even though they did not want to. Problem solved.
Leveling the tongue as mentioned would also be a good idea.

 

[sasada]

Re: Tires cupping/wearing very uneven...

Same problem has been discussed here multiple times.
Everyone keeps saying the same thing.
After all the basics have been checked and found to be ok, there is one common thread to all the posts.

The tongue of the trailer is running up hill.

One member was going through a set of tires in about 500 miles.

It doesn't seem like this would have an effect, tires are round after all and the pivot around the axle.

So far, only one of the members has gotten back to us after leveling the tongue/frame, and increasing the tongue weight.
He reported that the wear problem appeared to go away.

I guess that is a good sign if that is the common denominator! That of all things is an easy fix. I will definetely get back on the issue. However, its going to take a while...need to put a new set on and get back to y'all after my commin back from canada this June. Obviously i will take a few measurements and double check my bearings too.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Tires cupping/wearing very uneven...

Cupping is caused by the tire vibrating/bouncing on the road. (Think, dribbling a basketball only an inch or less off the ground.)
This is a high frequency vibration issue.
Rumbling bearings could be a cause.
Shock absorbers dampen vibration. (A cheap add on. < $100)
It will not clear up by itself. Once the tire is cupped it is more out of Balance than before.
That is, assuming it was Balanced to begin with.

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Tires cupping/wearing very uneven...

I just posted a thread were we discussed dynamic tire balancing, the beads in your tire. The manufacturers say they will solve this problem. Might be worth checking out.

 

[ricohman]

Re: Tires cupping/wearing very uneven...

Things I would do are:
Check the axle is square to the frame.
Check for loose bearings, worn spring bushings.
Check the trailer does have excessive caster.
As a last resort I would have them balanced.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Tires cupping/wearing very uneven...

As a last resort I would have them balanced.

Probably too late for that. If these tires weren't balanced in the first place, need to make sure the next ones are.