I have a travel trailer that is showing tire wear on the inside of all four tires. From what I can find out this indicates either overloading or loss of camber. I weighed the trailer and am well within weight limits (weighs 6800 on the axles and has two 5200 lb axles). So I guess that means loss of camber.

Does anyone know of an alignment shop north of Chicago that does alignment work on trailers?

 

There is no way to adjust camber on a trailer axle. It sounds to me like the axles or spindles got bent. What type of suspension is on the trailer, and how are you using it?

Toyman

 

What is the load range on the tires? C, D, E,??? And are they ST tires, or LT, or P tires?

I think they do align trailer axles, and it involves bending them. But I could not tell you how they do it. But unless the trailer has been wrecked or overloaded sometime during it's life, I would look at tires first, and maybe consider going up in a load range.

Bill

EDIT:
Found this online:
Dexter Axle - Trailer Axles and Running Gear Components - FAQ'S

And this brought another question to mind - have the axles been flipped on that trailer?

 

I have load range D tires (2540 lbs each = 5080 Lbs per axle). The axles are rated at 5200 Lbs each which = maximum load rating of 10,160 lbs for the set. I weighed in at a CAT scale and have 6840 lbs on both axles, well within the specs. They are typical sprung axles and they haven't been altered.

Dexter says that the two causes for inside wear is too much weight and loss of camber. I don't think weight is the issue since I have over 3000 lbs to spare, I assume It must be the camber. I called Dexter and spoke with the service department. I was told that camber can be reset at a frame and alignment shop. They have one to recommend in the Elkart, Ind. area and my dealer has one in the Madison, WI area, but I am looking for one in the area north of Chicago.

My dealer says that loss of camber can be due to high mileage (I have put 18,000 miles on the trailer in 17 months, but I would hope it would be built to withstand that kind of usage. The Dexter man says that "sometimes they loose camber".

I am a bit disappointed because I will now need to replace the tires before they're time. Worse case scenario I guess I need new axles.

 

I asked about the possible flipping of the axles because of the camber bent into them. They need to be bent so they are a little high in the center. The idea is that when you load the trailer they may bend a little, and be closer to straight. Some guys will flip them, and then they are already bent down in the middle before a load is even applied. That would be way to much camber of course.

Well, you're on top of it and that clearly is not your problem. Strange that an axle would lose camber, unless at some time the trailer was grossly over loaded. Or, maybe a proper load but the trailer was jumped and the axles bent due to inertia.

Be sure to let us know what the alignment shop says or does. I'll be interested to know.

Bill

 

Look in the yellow pages for a shop that will do frame and truck alinement's, I had mine done 3 or 4 year ago. A good shop will bend the axles to set the tow in and camber. Make sure that the trailer is loaded the same way that it is when being towed that includes water.

Denny

 

Well, I found an alignment shop and the trailer has been there for a week already. It seems that one axle is so far out of alignment that it is unrepairable and needs to be replaced. The other can be aligned. Also I'm gonna need new tires and while I'm at it new rims as the white painted ones that came with the trailer are rusting out already after a year and a half. I am replacing them with galvanized rims, not the best looking option but functional. So, $1600.00 later the saga goes on. We'll see.

 

I bought my 5th wheel trailer brand new and the axles were supposed to handle the weight. I never overloaded the trailer but they bent anyway.
Two new axles and the tires don't wear out anymore.

 

$1600 sounds pricey even with new tires and wheels
a 5200 lb drop axle beam cost less than $200 a straight beam less than $150

 

We had a similar problem. We bought a new 5th wheel toy hauler and went from california to Florida and back. We wore out the tires on our front axle due to the axle being bent. In our case, the tires were toe'd in thus wearing out the outside of the tire in 6,000 miles. If we hadn't gone on that long trip, it could have been a couple of years before we realized the problem. As it was, the trailer company replaced the axle and reimbused us for the tires. I would say that if you are staying within the weight limits of the trailer, the tires are toe'd out too much - ie a bent axle.

 

Well, I finally got 'er back. New tires (4) and galvanized rims (5), one new axle (replacing a bent spindle causing a towed out condition, hence inside wear on tires), the other axle was aligned. New brakes all around. About $1400 in parts and $550 labor. It seemed like a very professional shop, he had one travel trailer and about 6 motorhomes there when I picked mine up.

I will definitely keep a closer eye on my tire wear in the future so as to not ruin my new set of tires. Heading to Oregon from Illinois in Aug. so this repair will get a good test.

 

Glad to hear you are back on the road. The bent spindle is new info. Someone must have dragged her over a curb or something. Maybe even before it was ever sold. I bet she'll pull good now.

Bill

 

Bill;
Great discission on the 5th wheel tire problem. I learned a lot. I have the same problem. I checked the alignment by measuring from the pintil to the outside of the axel. The back one is out quarter inch, front one dead on. My springs were flipped to the lower setting when I bought the Jayco. After spending some time under the trailer I think that the bend in the axle is not at the top. I think the flip was done on uneaven ground so the high point on the axel is not at the top but slightly to the rear. I think this sets the wheels slightly towed out so they wear on the inside. I talked to several techs and they come up with all kinds of problems from bent axels, spindles to poor inflation. But none of their reasons explain all four tires wearing on the inside.
I would like your opinion on my investigation, do you think that would explain the problem and how do I set the axels again so the high spot is exactely at the top where it shouls be. Cheers drwilkie@shaw.ca
Doug

 

Doug, I'm not an expert, not even close, so I don't think I'll be much help. But I'll comment anyway.

You said you measured back from the hitch to the axle, and one was equal and one was not, correct? I'm not sure how important that measurement from the hitch is in itself. But it seems to me that if you measured between the two axles, they must not be parallel. I think it is important that they are parallel. Suggest you measure between them to confirm whether parallel. They only thing about that is, you need to do it on a level spot with the trailer frame level with the ground. That's because the way the springs pivot on one end, unequal spring compression will cause a distortion. For example, if you load one side of your trailer very heavy, the axles will splay apart on that side. This is by design.

That's all just discussion. You said the crown of your axle is not at the top. I'm certain that this is not the way it should be. The crown should be on top. Someone may have flipped your axles and not done it correctly. It may also mean that your brake shoes are not oriented correctly. And I think it means you need to take it to a professional for an inspection.

Keep us informed, okay?

 

Watch out for those curbs, they are really HARD on trailer alignment.

ab