Tire ware

[outdoors5]

What does it mean when the inner and outer edges of the PU's tires are  showing a lot of ware?  It is as if the center of the tires have normal tread while the inside and outside edges are balding.

[austinado16]

What does it mean when the inner and outer edges of the PU's tires are  showing a lot of ware?  It is as if the center of the tires have normal tread while the inside and outside edges are balding.

This is a good question.

I recently met a list member who has a Viking with this same problem, running 13" bias ply tires.  They've had the problem since the camper was new and Viking has even thrown a new axle at it under warranty and the problem is still there.

When I looked at the tires, I noticed the outside and inside bands of tread were quite a bit lower (more worn) then the center couple of bands.  Also, the outer and inner tread lugs were saw-toothed.  I could run my hand down the forward facing tread on the tire and it was somewhat smooth, but running my hand upward, my hand would catch on the saw-toothed edges of the tread lugs.

I don't know what would cause this:
-Tires that have been on for a long, long time so that they establish a wear pattern with the road and start eating themselves like car tires do when you don't rotate every 5,000mi?

-Axle stubs that are out of alignment so the tires are going down the road either toed in or toed out too much?

-Trailer not being towed level, so the way the axle pivots over bumps or with the trailer fully loaded is causing the wheels to be forced out of alignment?

-Cheap tires?

-Maybe radials would be a better choice of tire?

-Running over or under inflated (although that isn't the problem with the Viking I saw)?

-Wheels out of balance so they are hopping at speed?

-Bad suspension(ie, torsion action, springs and/or shocks) on the camper?

As I said, I don't know the answer, but it's a good brain teaser and I'd like to hear other's opinions.  If I saw tires like this on a car, I'd say they weren't being rotated and the solution would be to replace them, get the car's 4 wheel alignment checked, and make sure the shocks/struts weren't bad.

[ekakadams]

My years in the Automotive industry say first thing is under inflated tires. if that's correct its a mystery, could it be incorrect tires or tires rated incorrectly?
Ed

[mike4947]

The first thing we require when folks give us this problem and they swear up and down they've kept the inflation at maximum is to put the trailer on the scales. It doesn't take much with a lot of PU's to go over the CCC of the trailer and since tires are in most cases rated right at the limits of the camper they become overloaded. Which gives the same wear patterns as under inflation.
For 12" and lower weight rated 13" tires a replacement with radials can cure a problem that defies solution.
The problem is we usally see this on tire sizes where there is NOT an equivalent rated radial tire and on campers where going to a larger tire isn't an option due to clearances.
In those cases we have to bite the bullet and just change tires more often. Don't forget at best ST tires are only rated for a 20,000 mile tread life span.

[chasd60]

GENEF had that issue with his hybrid and it was narrowed down to an out of balance condition. He had to have the trailer tires balanced and the problem was solved.

[PattieAM]

According to the Tire Wear Diagnostic chart in the Dexter Axle Manual - this pattern is caused by under-inflation.  Solution is to inflate (cold) to PSI as indicated on side-wall of tires.

If you do not have a Dexter Axle Operation Maintenance Service Manual (little black booklet), you can contact:  //www.dexteraxle.com

This manual contains information on the axle, wheels, bearings, tires, suspension and brakes - replacement parts/kits.....well worth having.

[TexasCamper]

This is a good question.

I recently met a list member who has a Viking with this same problem, running 13" bias ply tires.  They've had the problem since the camper was new and Viking has even thrown a new axle at it under warranty and the problem is still there.

When I looked at the tires, I noticed the outside and inside bands of tread were quite a bit lower (more worn) then the center couple of bands.  Also, the outer and inner tread lugs were saw-toothed.  I could run my hand down the forward facing tread on the tire and it was somewhat smooth, but running my hand upward, my hand would catch on the saw-toothed edges of the tread lugs.

I don't know what would cause this:
-Tires that have been on for a long, long time so that they establish a wear pattern with the road and start eating themselves like car tires do when you don't rotate every 5,000mi?

-Axle stubs that are out of alignment so the tires are going down the road either toed in or toed out too much?

-Trailer not being towed level, so the way the axle pivots over bumps or with the trailer fully loaded is causing the wheels to be forced out of alignment?

-Cheap tires?

-Maybe radials would be a better choice of tire?

-Running over or under inflated (although that isn't the problem with the Viking I saw)?

-Wheels out of balance so they are hopping at speed?

-Bad suspension(ie, torsion action, springs and/or shocks) on the camper?

As I said, I don't know the answer, but it's a good brain teaser and I'd like to hear other's opinions.  If I saw tires like this on a car, I'd say they weren't being rotated and the solution would be to replace them, get the car's 4 wheel alignment checked, and make sure the shocks/struts weren't bad.

I too have this problem but just on the right side. When I frist got this PU I took it back to the dealer @ about 16 mos and the dealer said that I had a bad tire and he gave me a new one at no cost. I have to change the right tire 18 to 24 mos. I know it is not under inflated tires because it only happens on the right side, so if you find some answers post them. I would like know too.
Good Luck :U

[flyfisherman]

Here's something to ponder beyond proper tire inflation, trailer not being overloaded and proper weight distribution, i.e., all the major weight is not all on one side of the PU ~

My Starcraft axle hub on the curbside always ran warmer than the roadside (driver's side) hub. In fact the wheel bearing on that side was the first to need replacement. I pondered this, asked questions about it, even posted the question here for some kind of a coherent answer! Anyway, finally got an answer from an old curmudgeon service manager at a Jayco Dealer - he says roads are tapered (or crowned) from the center of the road to the curb, mainly so the rain will run off the road. This slightly slanted angle causes the PU camper weight to pitch over to the curbside more so than to the center of the road. He says this is the cause of the additional heat and wear and will even cause more and uneven tire wear on that side.

I try to have any service work done at this place because they have such a great service reputation and you know the work is done right when they're through.




Fly

[mike4947]

To add to my earlier post another issue of one side wear we've found is trailers with slideouts can have as much as 200 pounds difference between the weights on the tires. In most cases the axle is under it's GAWR but one side is way over the tire's rating.
We've gone to "corner weighing" on self propelled units (coaches/class A's) because of this and side to side weighings on towables.