oddly worn tire

[pat8839]

Hey guys,
just bought a new to me 2006 Bayliner 195 with galvanized trailer-single axle. Anyhow, I purchased new wheels/tires for it and already the port side tire is showing a lot of wear but only on the side closest to the boat. When I look at the wheel from the back it is slightly tilted which I imagine is causing this increased wear. Any idea what causes this? Is there anything I can do to remedy the situation? I bought the better steel belted tires and after maybe around 100-120 miles there definitely shouldn't be wear like this...

Thanks in advance for the advice!

 

[jeeperman]

Re: oddly worn tire

Only on one tire?
Was the old tire worn the same?

 

[Wingedwheel]

Re: oddly worn tire

Might want to jack the trailer up and check your bearings. If the tire is tilted it could mean one of several things. Bad or loose bearing, bent or mis-aligned axle, but I'd think if it was mis-aligned both tires would be wearing. I'd start with the bearings and if that doesn't straighten it out with the trailer still jacked up rotate the wheel and see if it 'wobbles'. That would indicate the possibility of something being bent.

 

[jtmarten]

Re: oddly worn tire

What load capacity is the trailer rated for, the axle rated for, and how much does the boat weigh wet (oil, gas, coolant if closed system, etc) and loaded?
What type of tires did you install, passenger, or ST rated?
Sounds like the weight of the boat and trailer exceed the rating of the axle, causing the neg camber, which is wearing out your tire.
If that side took a serious curb hit or even a big pothole, the axle may be bent.

 

[pat8839]

Re: oddly worn tire

It is only the one side that is worn like that-the other side is all even. I don't remember what the tires are called but they are the more expensive option specific for trailers-not passenger vehicles. I honestly don't know the trailer capacity-anyway I can find that out? Is it marked on the trailer somewhere? I roughly know the weight through published specs so I could compare. I will have to pull that hub and check the bearings I guess that's a good place to start.

As far as turning the wheel when it's in the air, am I simply looking for any "wobblying" to see if there is anything bent?

Thanks again!

 

[marlboro180]

Re: oddly worn tire

As far as turning the wheel when it's in the air, am I simply looking for any "wobblying" to see if there is anything bent?

Thanks again!

Sounds like you have the ST tires, which are indeed for trailers. That is a good thing.

When you get the offending side up in the air, spin the wheel round and round, listening and feeling for any binding or grinding noises. That will give you and indication if the bearings are good or not.

Then, rock the wheel back and forth ( pushing in on one side, whilst pulling out on the other side of the tire) and listen/ feel for the freeplay of the bearings, to feel if they are setup too loose.- There should be just a minor amount of play felt when doing this, btw. I am saying you should not see it, but just feel a tiny little amount of freeplay.


Excessive play due to a worn out / damaged bearing or a loose bearing will result in excessive wear on the inside of your tread. Of course it could be a bent axle or spindle as well, but start with the bearings.

Let us know what you find.

 

[pat8839]

Re: oddly worn tire

Marlboro-thanks for the direction. I will do that. Sounds like I should hope that it's bearings because the rest sounds bad!

 

[Wingedwheel]

Re: oddly worn tire

If you have to replace the axle its not as bad as you would think as you can do it yourself if your mechanically inclined. Lets see what happens with the bearings though.

 

[pat8839]

Re: oddly worn tire

Hey guys,
Got the wheel off and took the bearings out-they really did not seem bad. They were definitely not bent out of shape and having never really seen bearings before they do not look very worn. I am going to replace them since I have it all apart though. There was minimal play in the wheel set up when I wiggled it to test as you guys suggested.

To my surprise when I took the hub/drum off there were brakes there! They are all rusted and most definitely not functioning-the dealer who sold me the boat swore that there were not breaks and that it was just pre-wired for them. Obviously he was WRONG. My girlfriend's grandpa was helping me take it all apart and he noted that the breaks being rusted out could be part of the problem and that I should just go ahead and remove them.

Any thoughts on that? I apologize for not getting a picture, it was dark out when I finally got down to it...

 

[Wingedwheel]

Re: oddly worn tire

If you replace the bearings, see if it fixes your wheel tilt. I doubt the brakes have anything to do with it but ya never know. If it doesn't fix it you may have hit a chuck-hole or have a bent rim. You may have even bought a bent rim or they bent it putting your tires on. Ya never know about that either

 

[Silvertip]

Re: oddly worn tire

I really doubt this is a bearing issue. I suspect it is a bent spindle issue since it involves only the left side. Dropping off a curb or snagging a curb or rock can do this. If the trailer was overloaded or the axle bent both wheels would likely tilt inward at the top. Not only could the spindle be bent backward, it could also be bent slightly upward. Both axis would contribute to very rapid tire wear. An alignment shop can verify what the issue is although they probably can't adjust for it if things are bent.

 

[Wingedwheel]

Re: oddly worn tire

If the dealer didn't tell you about the brakes being disconnected, I wonder what else he possibly didn't tell you about.

 

[180shabah]

Re: oddly worn tire

Sounds like new axle and/or spindle AND new brakes. Why wouldn't you want to reinstall the brakes on that trailer????

 

[pat8839]

Re: oddly worn tire

Replaced the bearings on both wheels and to my surprise the wheel is in a neutral position now. I do fear something else must be wrong than just the bearings though because the bearings did not look bad-but then again I don't have much experience with them to know how much of a difference they would make if only slightly dysfunctional.

I will keep an eye on the tread wear to see if it gets worse. If it does get worse I guess my only option is to take the trailer to a shop to have it checked out-do you have to take the boat off for them to check it out?

As far as the brakes I just took the advice of others in that I don't have a problem stopping the boat while pulling it and in the long run they just get rusty and cause problems. I realize that having them is good at times when you need to stop in a hurry and whatnot, but like I said I just took the advice I was given...

 

[Wingedwheel]

Re: oddly worn tire

Bearings don't always look bad unless they just dis-integrate. Worn rollers can make a big difference and even a worn bearing race. Glad to hear things look better...Say hi to Grandpa.

 

[pat8839]

Re: oddly worn tire

Bearings don't always look bad unless they just dis-integrate. Worn rollers can make a big difference and even a worn bearing race. Glad to hear things look better...Say hi to Grandpa.

Thanks Winged! Will do haha