Trailer Tire Wear
 

Guys,

Pulled a tire off to work on the aftermath of an unfortunate incident in the parking lot at the ramp, and found this:

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...20cfea737.jpeg
Left Front

Which led me to examine the other tires….

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...223567eed.jpeg
Left rear
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...7fb927e23.jpeg
Right front
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...88549558b.jpeg
Right rear

Obviously, the one is worse than the rest, but they all appear to be showing signs of wear on the edge. The fronts are wearing on the right edge, and the rears are wearing on the left edge. It is possible the wheel in question might have been involved in the unfortunate incident mentioned above, but I don’t see any signs anything has moved. I can’t imagine this is just normal. These tires are about four years old.

Are there places around that address these sorts of things? I guess trailer alignment has to be a thing, right…?

Thanks. Brad.

Guys,

I take that back. Looking at the pics, all but the right front are wearing on the inside edge, while that one is wearing on the outside edge. Seems strange….

Thanks. Brad.

Axles being bent would cause that

Ryan,

Any way to check for that? Straight edge against the brake disks, maybe?

Thanks. Brad.

Your axles are bent ... Ask me how I know.


https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...c3ff726eed.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...c3c5bde4df.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...37b85e3839.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...ff3e3f62a9.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...2d25044fe5.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...046b49c3fb.jpg

Dan,

How does that even happen?

Thanks. Brad.

Like Dan said…. Axles are bent. Too much negative camber. It happens to trailer axles with time, especially if the trailer is on the edge of the weight rating. I went through all this when I ordered an axle for my magic tilt aluminum trailer.

Chris

Chris,

So can they be straightened or just new axle(s)?

Thanks. Brad.

Looking at your left front tire. The tire wear is on the right side. When the tire is mounted. Is the wear on the inside or outside?

Dave,

Post #2.

Thanks. Brad.

Brad,

When I put a 3rd axle on my trailer the manufacturer mentioned to me if the new axle tires did not line up with the existing tires, ie the older axle tires tip in at top (negative camber) they told me the axles would need replaced. I would imagine the axle could be straightened, but I would question its strength after that, as you would be rebending the axle and correcting the bend that had occurred over time, subsequently that axle would have been bent back and forth a couple times to get back to true. So I would not. May be time for a replacement. If the one tire on that axle is wearing like that, may be the spindle on that one side. Maybe an axle shop can put a new one on. I would suggest you call an axle shop like Dexter or something and ask, as I’m not sure. That’s what I would do.

Hope that helps,

Chris

A few good curb checks will bend an axle. I’ve always been told you need to replace a bent trailer axle. I’ve had to replace the front axle on my previous two triple axle trailers due to irregular wear on the inside of the front tires.

Axles are cheap. I doubt it is worth doing anything else than replacing.

that is the issue. axles can be bent back and I dont see any real issue with strength but at what cost. you can not just change shims or adjust a bolt like a car front end, you have to have some one with the equipment to hold every thing and force it into shape, then check it, bend it, etc. for the time it would take you could replace the axles with a heavier duty one. as to why it happened? trailers take a lot of abuse with dragging them to turn in tight areas and the curbs and pot holes as well as like in Dan's case, drop axles that now have another place to bend. it is just the nature of the beast especially with many trailers having axles that are boarder line for the weight they are asked to carry. my car trailer has two 6k lbs axles even though it rarely sees more than half that total on it.

Rob,

To my knowledge, no curbs have ever been hit, nor have any real potholes. But….

As stated in the initial post, there was an unfortunate incident in the parking lot at the ramp…..

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...b71756df6.jpeg

I’m running on the theory that when this happened, the wheel/hub was hit, and that’s when the bending occurred, and it’s only this one wheel that was affected. Investigation will come soon. I need to call Heritage and find out exactly which axle I need to get, if that’s actually what I’m in store for, which it appears is the case.

I’m guessing I’ll install my wheel hubs to the axle…? Or do they come complete only? This is, in fact, my first rodeo in the arena.

Thanks. Brad.

Axles are cheap. Replace axle. Trying to straighten them is complete waste of time.
I don`t know how much trailering you do but it`s pretty impossible not to hit a pot hole or curb at some point.

I upgraded everything else on mine with greasable cushioned parts. Trailer rides much quieter and smoother.
replaced bunks with composite so I don`t have to worry about wood rot and carpet.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...23bcfbd4a0.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...9669de64d5.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...558738a79d.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...fad12a2219.jpg

I dont really know of a good way to check for a bent axle short of a good quality digital angle finder poking around in multiple spots. If I see the inside of the tire wore and the bearings are good, I assume the axle is bent.

Dan,

Yup. I’m getting the memo. I’m gonna call Heritage in the morning and find out exactly which axle to buy and replace them both.

Thanks. Brad.

Ryan,

I’m assuming a descent sized carpenter’s square and a positive way of ensuring parallel between the two axles is sufficient…? I’d also have to assume parallel between the axles is far more important than square to the centerline of the trailer.

Thanks. Brad.

You want your spindles side to side to be parallel to each other/ground. Your axle could be bent and instead of being straight across it looks more like a smiley face.

Ryan,

I should have been more clear. I was referring to the replacement of the axle(s). I’m assuming, with new axles, we can just use the cross member of the axle as a reference for aligning them….? As long as they are parallel with each other and square to the side rail of the trailer I’m good?

Thanks. Brad.

my auto hauler trailer the axles bent in the middle with weird bow
have no idea how
my Brother in law used a chain and a bottle jack with a 2x6 pressed into the axle tube and pulled some of the bend out to make tires more 90 degree to the road

axles i assume bend easy
i replaced them when we got back home

my boat axles are pretty close to maxed out and they are next on list .

Are your leaf spring mounts welded to the trailer frame or attached with u bolts?

Ryan,

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...333d9b759.jpeg

Thanks. Brad.

Guys,

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...95c8ca05c.jpeg

4300lb axles? Am I reading the right?

Thanks. Brad.

How often do you cut the trailer sharp backing it up?

Yes,
8600lbs trailer .
How much does your boat weight ?

Dan,

4800lbs dry, advertised. 7K boat and trailer dry weight. Boat carries 600lbs of fuel with a full tank. That trailer weight capacity sounds about right.

just wanted to make sure I was reading the tag correctly.

I’ve got a call in to Heritage to confirm exact match, as best as possible. Waiting to hear back.

Thanks. Brad.

IGetWet,

Every time I take it in and out of my shop. It’s tight enough, I have to use a powered trailer dolly; I don’t have room for the boat and my truck anymore, since someone bought the lot next to my shop and put a fence up. :mad:

I thought about that. But I’d think that would produce an erratic wear pattern around the circumference of the tire, and a pretty consistent pattern among all the tires. This wear looks like uniform misalignment wear.

Thanks. Brad.

You could just feed it a tire every once and a while and start rotating them. That is if you are already treading water with the CFO for your spending this year. :D

Dave,

I haven’t sourced them yet, but I think I’m good there; with the CFO. Let’s just say it wasn’t MY fault the axle is bent. If it were, I’d be squealing a different pig.

I'm gonna bet a new set of axles is cheaper than a season’s worth of tires, if this wear happened as fast as I think it did. The unfortunate incident took place during the Cumberland PokerRun, and this wear would have been one trip home (180mi), and MAYBE one trip to our local overgrown mud puddle, 20min away. This very definitely looks like a “buy once, cry once” (for now) scenario.

Thanks. Brad.

Depends on where the bend is located. Metal fatigues by work hardening and crystalization. If it's just sagging ovet a long period of time, re-alinging it may be all that is required. You can align solid diff axles as well. Heat and chill in localized areas to move where you need.

Metal bridges are re-aligned all the time.

I prefer to use higher gve axles, and run the desired gvw spring package. You get stronger axles, but maintain the correct spring rate for the load.

Guys,

So, I just got a quote back from Dexter for a direct replacement, to Heritage's specs. Just north of $1700, for a raw beam with spindles. No brakes. No hubs They have THIS on their website for less than $500, and Heritage is telling me it SHOULD be a "standard" item. WTF....?!?

Thanks. Brad.

Just went through this with Myco and Dexter that was one reason my "feed it tires" comment lol.

I payed $425 for my $7k axles.

Guys,

First, I've gotta figure out if I actually need both axles. Signs lean to yes. working on that now. If not, I may just go with the legacy replacement, as it's simple and easy, even if more painful on the checkbook. If so, I'm waiting on a quote from Dexter for two D52 axles with 4" drop spindles, but they quoted me one for ~$600. The only issue with this is my current axles are only 3.5" drops and I don't see any way of making any adjustments that would take up that gap. I'd guess I'll never notice that 1/2", but it is in the wrong direction, in that it reduces the gap between the tires and the fenders. If this is a real issue, and I actually need both axles, and have to go with the legacy axles, this is gonna get expensive. Still waiting to hear back from Heritage if they can help me out. The idea of just feeding it tires starts to sound more appealing, but I just can't embrace it, especially if that wear is happening as fast as I think it is. Thoughts on the 1/2" loss in tire/fender clearance?

Thanks. Brad.

Dan,

Did you mean to say 7K lb axles?

And from where?

Thanks. Brad.

Guys,

Fairly well confirmed. Removed both wheels from one side, one side at a time, and laid a straight edge across the brake rotors. It would appear that both left spindles tilt rearward, as does the right rear. Gotta go with both.

Now to determine/decide whether it's gonna be a $1200 job or $3500. :faint2:

Thanks. Brad.

try e trailer
thsts insane

PowerBoatr,

I agree. I've been on the website. They don't list anything with the correct spring center or hub face spread. I don't know if they do custom stuff, but I think that's what I'm up against.

B ust
O ut
A nother
T housand

:picard1:

Thanks. Brad.