Trailer tire wear/alignment, etc. questions.

[Robert H. Wilkinson]

I had this vague idea maybe I should not rotate the radials, but I should look that up, as it now seems like a good idea.

Normally radials are rotated front to back - always on the same side so they always rotate the same way. The theory is that the steel belts may wear in one direction and changing direction of rotation may cause them to cut through the sidewall. I have seen steel belts come through sidewalls but whether a change of their normal rotation caused this, I don't know.

You could always just replace 2 tires or even just the one with the wear if you are getting the same kind. At least I would rotate the 2 tires on the side with the worn tire. That way if it is a camber problem at least the tire with the wear on the edge will not be subjected to as much pressure on its weakest spot.

I guess it depends on your comfort level and distance towing V/S your $$$.

Regards, Rob

 

[Sunbeam]

Thanks for refreshing my memory on radials/rotating.

I did some measuring yesterday, although what I found is that things are close enough (and it's imprecise enough using a tape measure solo) that I'm going to need to use something like a very non-stretchy string or maybe a long extension cord or something. I clamped the tape measure to the point where the trailer "V" comes together in the front and from that things look roughly similar. By which I mean I think (but can't be sure) nothing is out more than say, 1/2". Of course maybe these things go by tenths of an inch... I don't know. Although trailers just don't seem that precise to me.

I measured from this forward point to all four axle points at the frame, from one axle to another, and from the rear axle to the rear of the frame. Conclusion from that was that it would be a lot easier without the boat on it (but then maybe it changes with the boat's weight on it, so probably better this way), and that I need to do it again with something other than a tape measure, and hopefully with an assistant too. I'd also like to get an "X" between the four axle/tire points to see how "square" that is.

Right now I'm not sure what my summer boating plans might be, but I will definitely get new tires before any trailering trip of consequence. Worrying about something like that (when I could have done something about it) takes the fun out of it for me. And I wanted to get the Load Range D tires anyway (already have one of those on the spare, but was waiting to replace the main tires before changing them all over).

On the other hand, if I don't go on a long-distance trailering mission this summer, then I might as well not have new tires just sitting around aging while the boat isn't moving. Plus I couldn't find any "not already old date code" tires in the type I want right now. Maybe they'll make some more in time. After looking over the "bad" one more closely yesterday, it's definitely "wrongly" worn, but there is still actually tread there, so I'm not totally immobile for short jaunts.

When I get a chance to take better measurements I'll post back again. On the other hand, with new tires and perhaps rotating them at 10k or so, I could probably go another 17,000 miles, so things aren't too bad as is. Still be interesting to know why though.

Thanks for everyone's suggestions.