Middle of tires tread wears fast

[PISTONESAL]

Hello,

I have a 15 foot boat on a trailor and had to replace the axle. I replaced axle and springs and 2 new tires. One of the tires is fine but the others tread in the middle of the tire wore out fast this past weekend. I noticed it when I got back home. What could cause this? The only thing I saw was, see picture. The one side of the channel that the spring mounts to, was on top of the bolts and nuts when I got back from my fishing trip. I bent that in with a hammer and now it does not sit on top of the boltas and nuts. Could this have caused the tires tread to be worn down completely? If not what could it be and what can I do to check it out. Please help. I'd appreciate it.

thanks

Sal

 

[IVAZ]

Re: Middle of tires tread wears fast

If they wore out dramatically in one trip I would say they were definitely rubbing something. I can?t really tell by looking at your picture if it was something on your trailer.

 

[MikDee]

Re: Middle of tires tread wears fast

Overinflation will wear out the center of your tire first.

 

[bear_69cuda]

Re: Middle of tires tread wears fast

10-4 over-inflation... Maybe a faulty tire gauge reading...

 

[Shrub88]

Re: Middle of tires tread wears fast

One of the tires is fine but the others tread in the middle of the tire wore out fast this past weekend.

If it wore out in one weekend then has to be more wrong than tire pressure. Bent or misaligned axle? Worn or misadjusted wheel bearings? Bent rim?

The one side of the channel that the spring mounts to, was on top of the bolts and nuts when I got back from my fishing trip. I bent that in with a hammer and now it does not sit on top of the boltas and nuts.

Not sure I understand what you mean but if the trailer gave way on that side, then maybe the tire rubbed on the fender the whole way home. That would surely wear your tire. Look under the fender and see if it rubbed.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Middle of tires tread wears fast

There is something seriously wong with the suspension on this trailer. It appears there is only an inch or two of clearance between the axle and frame. It also appears that there are no rear spring shakles. This thing should not be on the road. Take pictures of the suspension at the front end of the spring, middle of the spring, and at the back of the spring. We can then provide insight as to what is wrong and what needs to be repaired.

 

[Ned L]

Re: Middle of tires tread wears fast

Yep, can be a variety of things, need more information. If one spindle is not straight on your new axle that would cause fast wear on one tire. For the reasons already noted you need to have the trailer checked out before your next trip.

 

[IVAZ]

Re: Middle of tires tread wears fast

Silvertip,
You have a good eye. I had to look at the picture again to see what you commented on. There is definitely not enough room for the suspension to work correctly. Something was modified or failed.

 

[PISTONESAL]

Re: Middle of tires tread wears fast

Hey everybody,

Thanks for the info. I will take more pictures tonight and post tomorrow. Also, the new springs I bought were the same as the old ones. Do I need to maybe get newer springs with more arch? I took the boat out a few times before this weekend and it had no issues. I noticed the tire was worn when I got back from my trip this past weekend and saw that the channel flange was on top of the screws and bolts. That is why now that I banged it out with a hammer that it should resolve the issue because it does not ride on top of the screws/bolts, there is room for it to spring up/down... I don't know. I'll post more pictures tomorrow and go from there. Thanks again for the replaies.

Sal

 

[PISTONESAL]

Re: Middle of tires tread wears fast

OK everybody. I got some more pictures. Actually I don't. I put them on my memory card and they didn't come out. Don't know what happened, so I attached a more bigger picture from before. Look at it below and let me know what might need be done. Also noticed that the tire tread was bad from the entire tread except for the last one closest to to the trailor that was gone. I believe that the outside side of the flange that the spring sits in hitting the bolts and nuts caused this and now that I have hammered it in to clear it from it sitting on the bolts and nuts should do the trick. I will have to buy another tire to really find out. I don't know how to look at it while I am driving to see what it is doing.. Let me know what you guys think. I appreciate it.

Thanks

Sal

 

[Susquehanna Squid]

Re: Middle of tires tread wears fast

Is the axl on the right side of the leaf springs? If it is not, there may be too little room for travel between the wheel well and the tire.

 

[nlain]

Re: Middle of tires tread wears fast

You have problems, that channel should not sit down on the axle the springs should hold it up, couple things there, I do not see any spring shackles, usually there are some, if in fact this trailer does not use them then the spring is collapsed or the wrong one. Tire wear, the frame sitting on the axle is not going to cause the tire wear your are describing, sounds more like a bent spindle, bent down and maybe slightly forward, this would cause tire wear from the outside to the inside the way you describe it. If you look at the wheel closely you may be able to see that is leans out at the top and is toed in on the front, the front of tire is closer to the frame than the rear, look at the tread wear there should be scuff marks that would indicate the same.

 

[lmannyr]

Re: Middle of tires tread wears fast

how about some pictures of the zoomed out pics too. Your leaf springs do not look right. something is missing, and it's sitting WAY to close to the frame. I now have torsion so I can't compare.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Middle of tires tread wears fast

DO NOT USE THIS TRAILER. Look at the hole in the frame just above the back end of the spring. There is supposed to be a spring shackle installed in that hole. There is nothing holding the rear end of the spring. Item 3 in the drawing are the rear spring shackle links. They are missing. The top of the link gets fastened to the frame through the hole in the frame. The bottom of the link fastens to the spring eye. Bushings are required top and bottom.

 

[PISTONESAL]

Re: Middle of tires tread wears fast

Thanks for the replies, I have had this boat for over a year. I have had no problems. There are no wheel wells on this trailor. I replaced the axle, springs, and tires and put everything back they way it was. That is how the old setup on the trialor was. I don't understand. There is a bolt that holds the front of the spring in the frame channel and the other side of the spring is curved that sits between two bolts. Its not like the other springs that both sides have a eyeloop for mounting with bolts.. Silvertip shows a drawing with a spring with eyeloops on boths sides. Mine is different. Look at picture below. that is what my spring looks like..So If I put these shackles on like you said, It should resolve the issue? But that would be wierd considering the type of spring I have as seen below in the picture. I'd hate to take it to someone and spend more money. I would like to do the repairs myself if possible. What is a spindle? I have heard a couple of times about this that it could cause the problem to tire treads. Is it something that can be repaired by me or have to take it to someone? I am not familiar with it. Please advise. I appreciate again everyone for the help and info.

Thanks

Sal

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Middle of tires tread wears fast

Ok - you have what's called a "slipper" suspension. But someone screwed this up before you acquired this rig. A slipper spring requires some sort of retainer to hold the sping. You do not have this. What we are trying to tell you is that the rear end of the spring needs to be retained. yet you don't seem to be bothered by the fact that it isn't. The original springs on this trailer would have much more arch to them than you have, they would also have had rear shackles (that's what the hole in the frame is for). And finally, the front of the spring is mounted inside a cavity in the frame using a similar hole. The springs on the trailer now do not have enough arch for the mounting. A spring such as yours requires a bracket like the one in the diagram I posted earlier. Now for the kicker -- how much weight is on this trailer?