Trailer tire wear

Howard H.

Well-known Member

Ive got an old triple axle bumper pull warhorse county equipment trailer I drag my new old iron acquisitions home with. The axles are hung similar to this:

cvphoto102031.jpg


I replaced the axles a few years ago with 7200 pound 16 inch wheel axles and have been pretty happy with it.

But Ive noticed a lot of tire wear lately - the middle tire on one side is really scalloping and the rear axle (that doesnt carry as much weight unless its loaded up) shows a lot of wear on both tires.

Is there any kind of shock absorber that can lessen the scalloping kind of trailer tire wear?? Does it help to balance or rotate the tires?

Thanks for any advice,
Howard
 
Balancing can definitely help. Other factors can include road conditions or out-of-round wheels.

Unfortunately, there's only so much you're going to be able to do to stop the trailer from bouncing so much. When it's loaded, the trailer suspension is doing what it's designed to do. When empty, that same suspension is, well, wound up like a spring; as though there is no suspension on the trailer, similar to a tractor. Just the nature of the beast. That's why trailers with air ride are superior to those with springs. The air bags are fully adjustable, so can not only handle full load, but then air can be released to better accommodate no load.

That said, you could always reduce tire pressure when empty so that your tires give a little more spring.
 
It's most likely worn bushings in the suspension or a bent spring. That type suspension is especially susceptible to those things. Look closely at the springs, especially the rear axle, for different arch in the springs. Also check the bushings in the hangers and spring ends for wear. It is kinda the nature of the beast with those, but either issue will make it worse.
 
I was thinking of installing balancing beads.

No warranty on trailer tires. Turning is ruff on tires. Separated my 10 year old tire.

I replaced all 4 tires. 6 tires will suffer more when turning.

Most manufacturers of Car tires don't warranty them past about 5 years.

I haven't used my 14k implement trailer much after selling a 2.25 acre rental property.

I had to trailer tractor to mow. Extremely happy I sold that property I owned for 42 years.
cvphoto102041.jpg
 


Get it leveled. Adjust your hitch on the trailer or on the truck so that all three axles are closer to carrying the weight evenly when unloaded. It won't do a lot but it is quick easy and cheap. I always do the quick easy and cheap first.
 
UNFORTUNATELY the more axles the greater chance ALL are not aligned perfectly (bushings or height or off parallel etc) and carry the same load so it doesn't take much to cause excess tire wear on one grrrrrrr.

John T
 
What keeps the center axle from moving back and forth? Looks like movement of this axle could cause problems.
 
They can move around some with this type suspension. The weight keeps it generally centered. When the suspension gets worn it makes thing worse.
 
Thanks for all the tips, fellows.

I'll check on the suggestions...

I had wondered if this type of shock absorber-style leaf equalizer might help... Never really seen one in action.

I learned years ago never turn sharp with a load on - so I know the triple axles are a bit clunky, but so am I and the old iron that I haul with it... ha ha

cvphoto102058.jpg
 
agree , a dually is for heavy loads. plus those single tires do a lot of skidding when turning.
 
(quoted from post at 05:53:17 09/23/21)
Ive got an old triple axle bumper pull warhorse county equipment trailer I drag my new old iron acquisitions home with. The axles are hung similar to this:

<img src=https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/cvphotos/cvphoto102031.jpg>

I replaced the axles a few years ago with 7200 pound 16 inch wheel axles and have been pretty happy with it.

But Ive noticed a lot of tire wear lately - the middle tire on one side is really scalloping and the rear axle (that doesnt carry as much weight unless its loaded up) shows a lot of wear on both tires.

Is there any kind of shock absorber that can lessen the scalloping kind of trailer tire wear?? Does it help to balance or rotate the tires?

Thanks for any advice,
Howard
I absolutely would balance the tires. On a 6x12 tandem trailer I used to have it would just dance and bounce behind my truck empty on anything but a newly paved asphalt road. On a whim I balanced the tires and it pulled smooth as glass from there on empty. From that day on I have always balanced all of my trailer tires.
 
Yes, you can see my the tread left, I didn't put that many miles on it.
I used 10k dump trailer more. They went bald in 6 years.
 

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