Tires wearing

[cooter2506]

On my Trailer the tires are wearing on the inside. It looks as if the they are angled that way when boat is on the trailer. Trailer is a 1994 so maybe time for new springs?

 

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: Tires wearing

I would say it's one of the below:

1, Boat is too heavy causing axle to flex
2, Axle is bent..due to number 1 possible
3, spindles/bearings loose or worn
4, All of above.

Just a guess though. Certainly I would not think springs are the culprit.

Ian

 

[krakatoa]

Re: Tires wearing

Its possible a weak axle, its doesnt hold the boat weight. Stop by this thread, I already pass thru this trouble too. http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=376995 , pictures included. Hope this one helps you.

 

[Pelletmonster]

Re: Tires wearing

i agree w/ "this lil fishy" and i work at a trailer shop..

most the time, the boat is to heavy for that axle and causing it to "flex" is probly your problem.. also if your running that trailer on the highway alot you dont want a bias ply tires cuz they will wear very funny to, you want a radial..

Example if u dont know:
ST205/75D15 D= BiasPly
ST205/75R15 R= Radial

Springs DO wear/weaken but never seen them wear out the inside of the tires..for a head up also
I would suspect the axle is over loaded/bent tho. hope this helps!!

 

[tpassmore]

Re: Tires wearing

im having the exact same problem. trailer and boat weigh 3440#. old axle is a 3500lb drop axle. springs look like they are flattening. spring expert said springs looked fine (w/no load). how do you know if they are too flat? anyway bot a new straight shaft axle w/elect brakes. reinstalled old springs over new axle and put level on outside of tire(bias ST) and one is bowed out at bottom about 1". can a level indicate verticality problem? would level of driveway affect bubble? im really baffled by this.

 

[tpassmore]

Re: Tires wearing

this morning, put long level on axle and sure enough it was bowed. jackedup and blocked. rechecked axle and it was straight. noticed the springs are flattening. no bounce left. could that cause the axle to bow?

 

[Pelletmonster]

Re: Tires wearing

when you say boat and trailer wiegh in at 3450# is that dry? as in no gas in boat and no gear? or fully loaded w/ the above?

also this "new" axle you put in is this a round tube or square axle?

 

[krakatoa]

Re: Tires wearing

I would say it's one of the below:

1, Boat is too heavy causing axle to flex
2, Axle is bent..due to number 1 possible
3, spindles/bearings loose or worn
4, All of above.

Just a guess though. Certainly I would not think springs are the culprit.

Ian

spindles/bearings loose or worn - If your trailer doesnt have any trouble with broke bearings you can forget this option. Did you check your bearings already?

Boat is too heavy causing axle to flex - Its not necessary true. A weak axle will bent with the boat on trailer. Again, just change your axle, if possible go with a square structurall tube 2 x 2 x 1/4. I had the same trouble, again stop by the link provided above andread it carefully, there is a lot of pic Im sure will be helpful for you.

 

[tpassmore]

Re: Tires wearing

talked to an engineer at Alco who said slight flex (1/4") is normal. called it cambering and it will flex on road. i agree about the rectangular vs round. defintily need new springs. old ones are flat. found a trailer shop who has 2250# but have to convert to 2x eye. im letting them weld the mounts. thye also insisted new Alco axle needs bearings packed with high temp and said they need to be repacked once a year, even with bb's. what do you think?

 

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: Tires wearing

talked to an engineer at Alco who said slight flex (1/4") is normal. called it cambering and it will flex on road. i agree about the rectangular vs round. defintily need new springs. old ones are flat. found a trailer shop who has 2250# but have to convert to 2x eye. im letting them weld the mounts. thye also insisted new Alco axle needs bearings packed with high temp and said they need to be repacked once a year, even with bb's. what do you think?

Sounds like they know what they are doing. I always use high temp grease on axles with brakes. Although I might request marine grade grease when speaking with them.

Ian

 

[krakatoa]

Re: Tires wearing

Would like to know If finally cooter2506 did something, any pictures????

 

[cooter2506]

Re: Tires wearing

Yep sorry for the delay Im replacing axle. Axle is bent. Previous owner must have taken it over a curb or something pretty hard. Thanks to all for the help. Have a trip to Raystown that is about 140 miles round trip next Thursday. Axle is supposed to be in Tuesday so I have my work cut out for me.