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Truck Tires - Uneven Wear

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by woodguy, Feb 25, 2012.

Page 1 of 4
  1. Feb 25, 2012 #1
    woodguy

    woodguy Bobtail Member

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    Feb 21, 2012
    Fallbrook
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    I own a UD 2300LP that I bought new in 2004 with a dump bed and hoist. It was a part time job that ended up going dead in 2009. It was used to collect household junk, landscape and construction debris. The truck has 10,900 miles on it. Since I am a hardwood floor contractor I decided to convert it to a 16' box truck. A local company is willing to do an even swap for a late model 16' box, a tailgate lift and some shelves inside the box. All parts are used and will be painted to look new. It sounds like a good deal and it costs me nothing and I can put the truck in service. The best offers to buy the truck are in the low $20K. Not good. My questions and the picture I show is about the front tires. Apparently I did not keep the right amount of air in the tires and they wore poorly on the out side edges. There is still plenty of tread on the middle and inside edges. The local tire store told me to run the tire at the highest tire pressure to even things out since in his opinion I always ran them to low. I am now at 110 PSI. Do these tires seem safe to use or should I replace them? The back tires are fine and there are two on each side so I feel safe if one were to blow. I appreciate you experienced responses. Here is a picture of those tires and the truck.
    http://www.screencast.com/t/T0S4WPkkuGTl
    http://www.screencast.com/t/vl9Mbhq6cvq
     
    woodguy, Feb 25, 2012
    woodguy, Feb 25, 2012
    #1
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  3. Feb 25, 2012 #2
    Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Well, you selling or going to put it to work ? If you're keeping it, yes, replace those tires (steer axle).
     
    Allow Me., Feb 25, 2012
    Allow Me., Feb 25, 2012
    #2
  4. Feb 25, 2012 #3
    Gizmo_Man

    Gizmo_Man Road Train Member

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    For the tires to wear only on one edge, it is a camber adjustment, that is needed. Take it to a frame/alignment shop.

    Some vehicles have shims that can be used to make the adjustment, some have "cams" that can make the adjustment. Sometimes, the axle must be bent for adjustment, but I would highly recommend you DO NOT have that done, as the axle must be heated up and bent. Once the axle is heated, some "integral strength" is taken away.


    IF it were an inflation problem (low inflation), the BOTH edges would be worn. If it were OVER inflation, the middle would be worn.

    As I see it right now, it is a camber adjustment it needs.
     
    Gizmo_Man, Feb 25, 2012
    Gizmo_Man, Feb 25, 2012
    #3
    HA-MTR Thanks this.
  5. Feb 25, 2012 #4
    woodguy

    woodguy Bobtail Member

    16
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    Feb 21, 2012
    Fallbrook
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    Actually I got down and looked more closely and the wear is even on both outer edges. I remember the tire guy saying the same thing. Sorry for the bad info in the main post. There is a lot of tire tread everywhere else. Like 3/8" to 1/2".
     
    woodguy, Feb 25, 2012
    woodguy, Feb 25, 2012
    #4
  7. Feb 25, 2012 #5
    Kittyfoot

    Kittyfoot Crusty Ancient

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    Sep 21, 2009
    Sorrento, Louisiana
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    Nice little truck. I don't think you have an air-pressure issue if the wear is only on the outside edge. Low air will wear both outside and inside edge equally. Looks to me like you have an alignment prob (too much camber)... eg, the tires leaning too far out at the top. This is easily corrected at a competent alignment shop.

    Once this is done; if you're keeping the truck run those tires out. If you're selling consider changing them for max value; even if only swapping someone for a even-worn set of used. Any buyer who knows his business will see "front end probs" and downgrade his offer accordingly.

    http://www.procarcare.com/includes/content/resourcecenter/encyclopedia/ch25/25readtirewear.html
     
    Kittyfoot, Feb 25, 2012
    Kittyfoot, Feb 25, 2012
    #5
  8. Feb 25, 2012 #6
    Gizmo_Man

    Gizmo_Man Road Train Member

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    buy new tires and always check inflation
     
    Gizmo_Man, Feb 25, 2012
    Gizmo_Man, Feb 25, 2012
    #6
  9. Feb 25, 2012 #7
    woodguy

    woodguy Bobtail Member

    16
    0
    Feb 21, 2012
    Fallbrook
    0
    I was concerned about the age of the tires as well. 10 900 miles on them but 7 years old and outside parking.
     
    woodguy, Feb 25, 2012
    woodguy, Feb 25, 2012
    #7
  10. Feb 25, 2012 #8
    Kittyfoot

    Kittyfoot Crusty Ancient

    2,092
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    Sep 21, 2009
    Sorrento, Louisiana
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    Ah, new info.... wish folks would stop parcelling it out like this.

    OK, here it is.... they're old, worn and on your steering. Junk em and put on new. Steering tires have to be the best tires on any vehicle for obvious reasons.

    Any more surprises for us?
     
    Kittyfoot, Feb 25, 2012
    Kittyfoot, Feb 25, 2012
    #8
  11. Feb 25, 2012 #9
    Logan76

    Logan76 Crusty In Training

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    kittanning, PA
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    I don't know, your running around town mostly, low miles and doing hardwood flooring not carrying around big weight. If it were me I would try to squeeze some more miles out of those tires and just check your tire pressure regularly.
     
    Logan76, Feb 25, 2012
    Logan76, Feb 25, 2012
    #9
  12. Feb 25, 2012 #10
    MNdriver

    MNdriver Road Train Member

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    4,372
    Feb 24, 2012
    0
    between that and 7 years old, if it's all local, push the pressure all the way up to the limit and watch the center wear.

    Another thing you can do is to take a paint stick and make lines across the face of the tire.

    Drive down the street a couple hundred feet or so and check the wear.

    You'll be able to really see what the air pressure is doing to the tires.

    Start doing a lot of out of town and highway miles. Consider replacing them.

    You really should take a picture of the tires and put it up here though for better advice.
     
    MNdriver, Feb 25, 2012
    MNdriver, Feb 25, 2012
    #10
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