Trailer tires erratically worn.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 5,491
Likes: 16
From: Kuna ID
Trailer tires erratically worn.
I hauled my mothers business trailer over to my place to install some hooks. I was walking around it just checking things out and noticed the tires are worn really weird. It's a 6x12 single axle cargo trailer, I jacked it up and everything is tight. The only thing I can think of is possible weight distribution issues. The trailer usually only hauls 15-20 metal racks with patches, a few plastic boxes, a sewing machine and occasionally a harley(it sits in the middle)...all at the same time. They pull it with an S10 blazer so it's not heavy. The tires are only worn on the outside edges, from the middle tread block to the inside of the tire is fine.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: West Valley Utah
Looks like either excessive toe in or the axle is bent up, pushing the tops of the tires outward. Are there shocks on this trailer? The way the tires are also paddled looks like they are bouncing.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 18,488
Likes: 22
From: The Big, Oregon
The tires are bouncing. It's not getting loaded heavy enough to overcome the camber built into the axle, so it's only wearing the outsides. It probably stems from the tires never having been balanced.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 5,491
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From: Kuna ID
No shocks, just springs. That sucks, not enough weight huh. Could wind be a factor in causing it to bounce as well. It gets pulled out of state several times a year behind a 36' RV so the driver cant even see this little trailer in the mirrors. That's usually when it has the most weight in it since they have to go further and can't just run back to the shop. It has a matching spare so they will most likely get 1 new tire and use the less worn tire as a spare. I'll make sure they get them balanced as well.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
I have seen that same pattern on the rear tires of very large diesel motor homes and there is no way the tires on those beasts are bouncing. And yes, the rear axles on motor homes often need alignment.
Although with a light weight trailer such as this one, bouncing is a possibility, bent axles and alignment issues are common place. Just because it has a straight axle and leaf springs doesn't necessarily mean the tires are going straight down the road and behind a 36-foot motor home, it could darn be towed sideways and I doubt you would even feel it.
Throw it on your truck, take it for a spin, and see how it feels. I'm betting alignment problem.
Just my two cents worth,
Steve
Although with a light weight trailer such as this one, bouncing is a possibility, bent axles and alignment issues are common place. Just because it has a straight axle and leaf springs doesn't necessarily mean the tires are going straight down the road and behind a 36-foot motor home, it could darn be towed sideways and I doubt you would even feel it.
Throw it on your truck, take it for a spin, and see how it feels. I'm betting alignment problem.
Just my two cents worth,
Steve
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Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Kuna ID
It pulls fine behind my truck, at least nothing grabs my attention that would make me feel there is a problem. I will watch it a lot more closely when I haul it back though. Hopefully they will be ditching the RV and getting a truck with a slide in this summer. Getting 6mpg and having to rent rally parking space by the foot isn't flying with my mother any longer. Two people dont need a rig that size, but thats what she gets for letting her brother pick it out.
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Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
It pulls fine behind my truck, at least nothing grabs my attention that would make me feel there is a problem. I will watch it a lot more closely when I haul it back though. Hopefully they will be ditching the RV and getting a truck with a slide in this summer. Getting 6mpg and having to rent rally parking space by the foot isn't flying with my mother any longer. Two people dont need a rig that size, but thats what she gets for letting her brother pick it out.
Good luck,
Steve
