What causes trailer tires to wear like this?-Page 2: Grassroots Motorsports forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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Jan. 2, 2012 12:01 a.m. curtis73 SuperDork

unevolved wrote:

That may not be the case. I can't remember fromt the last time I looked at a vehicle dynamics textbook, but I know with articulated vehicles, there's some interesting stuff going on in the rear with the force pulling from the extreme front. I don't think the "self-centering" effect of toe is quite as prominent. Which would, actually, explain your problem. Bent axle.

Please stop being smarter than me

I understand what you're saying though... its different on a car than a trailer. I was thinking about that after I posted the toe thing. The trailer is being pulled by its centerline, so any toe-out on one side would be counteracted by the force of towing from the centerline thereby reducing the tendency for crabbing or self-centering of the trailer.
Jan. 2, 2012 12:14 a.m. SVreX SuperDork

curtis73 wrote:

SVreX wrote:

10K load is pushing the rating on all but the strongest trailer tires. If they were a little over loaded and a little over inflated, you'd have wear on the inside edge. Since they are working in pairs, as soon as the first tire starts wearing, the second one is exposed to greater stresses (since it is now bigger than the first). They both wore each other out simultaneously on the inside edge.

I buy that explanation... except I can't imagine that they were overloaded, and I know they weren't overinflated. I will concede that Carlisle tires are potentially crap and those are what was on the left side. The right side had Goodyear Marathons.

There's your problem. Mismatched tires right and left wore differently. Once the Carlisles started wearing, they tore each other up. The Goodyears were a better compound so they never started wearing.

4000 miles is a pretty good drag. You were towing near the rated capacity. Goodyears had a better chance of survival.

I seriously doubt axle problems. At least not worse than what is in normal range for trailers.
Jan. 2, 2012 12:37 a.m. curtis73 SuperDork

But should I seriously expect a tire (even a crappy one) to only last 4000 miles at its rated capacity? I had a 26,000 GVW box truck that I ran for almost 90k miles and never replaced a tire. My tow rig has a GVW of 9600. After towing this trailer for 4000 miles with the rear axle at its rated capacity, I used exactly 1/32" of the tread (I had them rotated as part of the freebie package and they checked the tread depth).

I just don't understand how vehicle tires can last for 60k at their rated weight but I'm expected to replace trailer tires every 4k?

I've towed my entire driving life. I lived in a travel trailer or 5th wheel for a conglomerate of 13 of my 38 years. I put over 40k miles on my travel trailer while full-timing (and I know I was over GVW most of the time) and never replaced a tire on it.

I'm just confused and pissed. All of the explanations make sense on paper, but its not like I'm a towing noob. I know what I'm doing and I've never seen anything like this. Me = frustrated
Jan. 2, 2012 12:54 a.m. SVreX SuperDork

Are you saying they were new when you started?
Jan. 2, 2012 1:32 a.m. curtis73 SuperDork

Yup... when I bought this used trailer, the two Carlisle tires still had the nipples on them. Brand new.
Jan. 2, 2012 2:18 a.m. 4Msfam New Reader

I think you have two slipped belts judging by the cone shape of the tread... Looking "overinflated.". I'd also check the DOT code for the date of manufacture. You can google these numbers to get the time of manufacture. I bet they aren't that "new" despite their appearance. Trailer tires are notorious for failure. I bet you'll be fine with two new ones. However, I'd match load ratings on all four if you plan to keep the trailer.
Jan. 2, 2012 2:20 a.m. 4Msfam New Reader

Also, measure the overall diameter around the tread. I bet you find the Carl's are bigger than the GY. Get your money back from the dealer if you bought them recently.
Jan. 2, 2012 4:39 a.m. nicksta43 Reader

Were the goodyear's new as well?
Jan. 2, 2012 6:15 a.m. wheels777 Dork

curtis73 wrote:

But should I seriously expect a tire (even a crappy one) to only last 4000 miles at its rated capacity? I had a 26,000 GVW box truck that I ran for almost 90k miles and never replaced a tire. My tow rig has a GVW of 9600. After towing this trailer for 4000 miles with the rear axle at its rated capacity, I used exactly 1/32" of the tread (I had them rotated as part of the freebie package and they checked the tread depth).

I just don't understand how vehicle tires can last for 60k at their rated weight but I'm expected to replace trailer tires every 4k?

I've towed my entire driving life. I lived in a travel trailer or 5th wheel for a conglomerate of 13 of my 38 years. I put over 40k miles on my travel trailer while full-timing (and I know I was over GVW most of the time) and never replaced a tire on it.

I'm just confused and pissed. All of the explanations make sense on paper, but its not like I'm a towing noob. I know what I'm doing and I've never seen anything like this. Me = frustrated
I had a pair show wear like that this year. We tow 7-8000 miles a year. Been towing trailers over 20 years. Did not see that kind of wear before and it showed up at a relatively low mileage on the tires (4000 miles). We always run quality tires, balance, check pressures, torque lugs, rotate, carry 2 spares and keep tires match on the axle, 7000 lb axls, load range E tires...blah, blah, blah....bent rim caused an imbalance.
Jan. 2, 2012 10:35 a.m. curtis73 SuperDork

nicksta43 wrote:

Were the goodyear's new as well?

No, they have about 3/4 tread.