Bizarre trailer tire wear

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by JPenn, Mar 12, 2014.

  1. Pablo-UA

    Pablo-UA Road Train Member

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    really looks like trailer axles need ajustment, but check axle ajustment using kingpin as center, so u need workshop with lazer system

    i have euro trailers with tridem and single tires, they are more sencetive to ajustment so i have to check every year
     
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  3. jameslawton

    jameslawton Light Load Member

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    Check the hub to see if its warn where the rim rides if warn your tires can get mounted off center if worn on hub or rim will need new hub or rim usually caused from loose lug nuts
     
  4. Red Rocket 1964

    Red Rocket 1964 Light Load Member

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    Mismatched tires on the same hub are problematic. if you must run unlike tires beside one another, be very careful to check inflated height side by side. If one is slightly taller put it on the outside.
     
    JPenn Thanks this.
  5. JPenn

    JPenn Road Train Member

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    Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I got it with mismatched tires, haven't put a new set on it yet, since I was planning on swapping on super singles. I will double check tire heights, didn't even think to try that.

    Still taking it to a shop for alignment and spindle checks, though.
     
  6. Grumppy

    Grumppy Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    I agree.. I had the same problem with a trailer a couple of years ago & finally found someone who thought one axle was out of alignment a bit. Took it to a very reputable trailer shop here & he didnt think so, but measured it anyway... sure enough the alignment was off.

    The way this guy did it:
    He had a measuring stick designed just for this. He measured from the center of one hub of the rear axle, to the center of the hub of the front axle. Got the exact measurement by setting a slide & locking it. Then went to the other side of the trailer & again put the end of the measuring stick to the center of the rear axle & the distance was different to the center of the front axle.

    In short, we almost never found the remedy after taking it to several shops & people in general. Even the trailer shop didnt believe that was the problem at first. So, have it checked by a trailer shop that has one of these specialty tools to measure the axles.

    Hope this helps.
     
  7. daf105paccar

    daf105paccar Road Train Member

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    My money is on the height.
    It is a good practice to put duals against each other and check height before you mount them.(back to back)
     
  8. 062

    062 Road Train Member

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    Have you checked to make sure tire is centered on rim? Have seen many tires shops put tire on outside and never take wheel off 50% of the time tire will be off center. Easy way to check is there's a thin line on sidewall right at rim,just check gap
     
    Hammer166 Thanks this.
  9. Hammer166

    Hammer166 Crusty Information Officer

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    This is the exact opposite of what you should do. The slightly taller tire goes on the inside as it is more likely to be running in the deepest part of the roadway ruts.

    To the OP, wear on one part of the circumference is caused by something on that wheel end, most likely an off center tire mount, possibly the on the inner, too.
     
  10. Red Rocket 1964

    Red Rocket 1964 Light Load Member

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    Trailer axles are built with positive camber to fit the "crown" of the road
     
  11. JPenn

    JPenn Road Train Member

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    What do you mean by "off center tire mount"? I'm confused here. If the bead seats evenly all around and the tire isn't out of round, what else is there?

    Taking it for alignment checks this week.
     
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