Wheel alignment??

[edgeh20]

I've a great 1998 Five Star Trailer for my 19' Edgewater. It appears that the tires are wearing on the inside of the tread only. Did I cause this with low air pressure? (I try to keep 50 psi.) Will rotating the 2 tires help?

 

[DJ]

Re: Wheel alignment??

Bum,<br /><br />Two things will cause excess tire wear on the inside tread.<br /><br />1. Excess camber (out).<br /><br />2. Excess toe (out).<br /><br />A good trailer or truck shop should be able to check the alignment and bend the axle to rectify.

 

[edgeh20]

Re: Wheel alignment??

Thanks for your help. I will do just that. Thanks again!!

 

[jeff_nicholas]

Re: Wheel alignment??

This happened to me too. It wasn't the trailer...when I changed tire brands the problem went away.

 

[MIKE F]

Re: Wheel alignment??

I had the same problem also, on a tandem trailer. All 4 tires were wearing on the inside. One trailer shop said it was the brand of tires. Another shop said no - it's the axles. They bent both axles upward in the center. Tires were replaced (with the same brand/size/rating) and I haven't had any uneven wear since.

 

[boater4life]

Re: Wheel alignment??

I would have to assume you are all have leaf spring axles. If you had torsion axles you would be on the next problem. The brakes!<br /><br />

 

[edgeh20]

Re: Wheel alignment??

I was at the boat show last weekend to ask some trailer experts about this. I think it is a case of improper bearing maintenance (or lack of) for 8 months. My gross weight of boat, motor, etc. is well below the trailer rating, so a bent axle is probably not the cause. <br /><br />But I haven't touched the bearings. I will replace & repack to see if this corrects the problem.

 

[MIKE F]

Re: Wheel alignment??

I have the same situation, where the total load is well under the trailer's capacity. The problem was the axles, not the bearings. I have two 3,500# axles under an alum. 600# trailer. The boat and engine are, or rather were 2,700# +/- with no fuel (I repowered from a 115 to 150HP so add 60-70# now). The trailer is rated to carry 4,300#.

 

[edgeh20]

Re: Wheel alignment??

Thanks MikeF!! <br />p.s. I lived of NE18th Street Ft. Ldle for 8 years. Great fishing!!

 

[JB]

Re: Wheel alignment??

A few simple measurements will answer your question.<br /><br />Measure the distance between the tire leading edges and trailing edges. They should be equal.<br /><br />Now measure the top and bottom edges. again, they should be equal.<br /><br />If not, you need to straighten the axle.

 

[MIKE F]

Re: Wheel alignment??

JB,<br />I'm not so sure about your statement about straightening the axle. I believe my axles now have a visible crown to them.<br />Hey Bum,<br />Did you take all the fish with you? I can't ever seem to catch much of anything.