Help me diagnose my trailer tire wear

Gogar · 07:13 AM

Hello!

I have a sprinter 2500 dually pulling a 12x6 dual axle trailer.
The sprinter is rated to pull 7500#
I'm pulling about 5800# including the trailer.

The trailer tracks pretty well but

We've driven about 9000 miles this month and two of the trailer tires are showing severe wear patterns on the inside of the tread. So my limited knowledge said "camber" to me right off the bat but I admit I don't know enough.

The (front right) and the (rear left) tires. One was nearly down to the cord so got rid of it.

My guesses and questions for you folks:

1. Could this be a weight distribution issue? Why the wear on these particular tires?
2. Tire pressure? My cold pressure is about 40 and I sort of want to go to 45. 50 max
3. Can you adjust the camber of trailer axles? I don't even know.
4. Do you feel this ball is the right height? I wanted it an inch lower but the trailer man said it was fine. The sprinter itself does have a beefed up suspension and sort of a Hesher stance to it does not settle when you put everyone in it.

Again the trailer tracks fine but this extreme wear is bad news.
Thank you!

Crowbob · 11-21-2021, 06:45 AM

What kind of axles are they (torsion, spring)? How old are they?

javadog · 08:26 AM

Well, I would probably do the following:

Change the hitch to one that allows the trailer to be leveled. Check to make sure you have enough ground clearance for humps and dips and what not.
Load it as you normally would and stick it on some corner balancing scales, to see what the weights look like on all four tires. You’ll probably have to bribe some import/race prep shop to borrow theirs for a few minutes.
Check the toe on all four wheels, using a straight edge or string on each side.
Find a level place and then check the camber on all four wheels, as best you can without an alignment rack. There are a lot of do it yourself tools for this that should get you in the ballpark.

If any of the tow or camber numbers are out of whack, investigate further to see if you have a FedEx or some other problem.

VINMAN · 11-21-2021, 06:47 AM

Could the spindles be bent on that side of the trailer? Had that issue on an old boat trailer.

.

dad911 · 11-21-2021, 07:06 AM

Have you checked the bearings?

New trailer or old?

9000 miles this month, or 9000 miles on the tires?

Paul_Heery · Paul_Heery's Garage

from the picture, it looks like you need a slightly greater hitch drop.

How to measure for trailer hitch drop

Gogar · 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crowbob

What kind of axles are they (torsion, spring)? How old are they?

Torsion. Brand new.

Gogar · 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dad911

Have you checked the bearings?

New trailer or old?

9000 miles this month, or 9000 miles on the tires?

Brand new trailer, brand new sprinter. 9000 miles in a month, and total.

pete3799 · pete3799's Garage

Camber can be adjusted by bending the axles. Sounds hookie but it's done all the time.
Do some measuring on your axle spacings and compare to the other side. Also measure center of your ball hitch (Use a plumb bob) to center of tire on each side.

Crowbob · 11-21-2021, 07:38 AM

You can get camber and toe problems with torsion axles over time if they are bearing weight for long periods, such as when a trailer stays fully loaded most of the time.

The wear on diagonal corners is interesting, though. I concur with Vinnie about the spindles. Is the pic with a fully loaded van and fully loaded trailer? If both are loaded you are nose light on the trailer.

Nice rig.

Superman · 11-21-2021, 08:18 AM

Yes, alignment can be adjusted if needed. Bending the axle is one method.

If it were my trailer, I would check all four bearings now. They may have 'settled' a bit since this trailer is new. Specs might even call this out. Like.....after 500 miles, check and adjust bearings. They are easy to check and adjust. Heck.....just jacking a side and rocking the wheels back and forth with your hands would tell you whether there is play. Any discernible play is too much.

And then check and repack those bearings periodically going forward. Trailer wheel bearings are among the most neglected devices on the road. How may times have we seen a trailer on the side of the freeway with smoking or burning wheel bearings?

Crowbob · 11-21-2021, 08:20 AM

+ 764 ^

rfuerst911sc · 11-21-2021, 08:30 AM

You say the trailer is new , does new mean new enough to take back to the dealer and have them check it out under warranty ? If you kept the damaged tires or took a pic of them you may have a case for a warranty repair .

If you can't do that then all the suggestions above are spot on . It sounds to me like the axles are not parallel to each other or as mentioned two axle stubs may need shimming .

Gogar · 11-21-2021, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crowbob

Is the pic with a fully loaded van and fully loaded trailer?

No this pic is an empty trailer but it doesn't level out as much as I wish it would.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

You say the trailer is new , does new mean new enough to take back to the dealer and have them check it out under warranty ?

Yes definitely.

javadog · 11-21-2021, 08:47 AM

Well, hell, take it back in and have them check it out.

otto_kretschmer · 11-21-2021, 09:02 AM

I would go higher on the tire pressure. If the tires are rated for 60, I would go with that. If its not listed, I'd inflate to 50

Gogar · 11-21-2021, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by javadog

Well, hell, take it back in and have them check it out.

Yes of course; 1300 miles from here! Just passing the time I guess

javadog · 11-21-2021, 10:24 AM

Well, how are we supposed to know that?

Seahawk · 10:34 AM

Trailer brakes? With a unbalanced load (not egregious) I'll get dissimilar wear on tires mainly do to the trailer brakes. Also, trailer tires are notoriously bad on new trailers. I have always upgraded after the first set.

Also, there are really great adjustable hitches available. I have a version of this, not cheap but I can adjust the height based on trailer load. Mine has four balls just because.

https://www.bwtrailerhitches.com/product/tow-stow-adjustable-ball-mount

I tow maybe 5,000 miles a year now but the B&W is worth every penny.

Nice set-up, btw.

rfuerst911sc · 11-21-2021, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gogar

Yes of course; 1300 miles from here! Just passing the time I guess

Take pics of the tire wear and call the dealer . If they are a decent dealer maybe they can provide phone support . It only costs you the call . Do you have a local trailer shop ? Maybe get an estimate for repair and get a credit from the selling dealer ? Obviously the long distance to the selling dealer is a wrench in the gears .