One tire scuffs on tandem trailer

[gporter]

Hi
My lightly used (3000 lb boat; 1000 mile/year) double axle Loadrite boat trailer Model AB 2414001B1 continues to scuff/cup only the right front tire in an irregular pattern. Both shoulders of the tire have heavy loss of rubber for three inches or so interupted by an inch or two of unworn tread. all the way around the tire. Wheel rotates straight - does not appear to be bent. No problem on opposite wheel.

My local tire experts say they see this all the time and that it is some kind of misalignment of the axle, but I can't see any adjustment on the torsion-bar axle other than the fore-aft position on the frame, a change to which would obviously also affect the opposite wheel.

Any help or advise would be appreciated

 

[Silly Seville]

Re: One tire scuffs on tandem trailer

Your tire experts are right. Sounds to me like the spindle was welded onto the axle tube incorrectly at the factory. It will always be misaligned until you have it removed and remounted correctly. And you are also correct...torsion axles are not adjustable like their bigger leaf sprung brothers. Good luck.

 

[AviatorJim]

Re: One tire scuffs on tandem trailer

Concur.

But I had no idea leaf sprung axles could be adjusted independently.

--Jim

 

[theBrownskull]

Re: One tire scuffs on tandem trailer

I would have the alignment checked at the local shop.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: One tire scuffs on tandem trailer

If the spring eye bushing are worn it will throw them out.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: One tire scuffs on tandem trailer

The axle in this case is a torsion axle - hence no springs. It may be that the rubber torsion assembly has degraded allowing that wheel to not track properly.

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: One tire scuffs on tandem trailer

Torsion axles are not used nearly as often as leaf springs and straight axles. You'd probably do best to take it to a trailer shop to have it diagnosed.

Sometimes it's just easiest to install a couple of new torsion axles and go about your way. They're replaced in pairs.

Note: I had a bent 3500 lb. axle on my utility tractor, and was stranded out in the country in a man's front yard with a zero turn mower on it. I bought a complete axle with hubs and changed out the axles in 20 minutes with an impact wrench. Sometimes trailer are not hard to fix or time consuming repairs

 

[Bob's Garage]

Re: One tire scuffs on tandem trailer

Hi
My lightly used (3000 lb boat; 1000 mile/year) double axle Loadrite boat trailer Model AB 2414001B1 continues to scuff/cup only the right front tire in an irregular pattern. Both shoulders of the tire have heavy loss of rubber for three inches or so interupted by an inch or two of unworn tread. all the way around the tire. Wheel rotates straight - does not appear to be bent. No problem on opposite wheel.

My local tire experts say they see this all the time and that it is some kind of misalignment of the axle, but I can't see any adjustment on the torsion-bar axle other than the fore-aft position on the frame, a change to which would obviously also affect the opposite wheel.

Any help or advise would be appreciated

Have you verified correct tire pressure? I had a similar problem and my trailer parts supplier suggested going from 50 to 60 psi. Corrected the problem and have had no tire issues since. I also check them each and every time I get ready to take a trip. Tires lose pressure over time just sitting and on trailers will wear out quick if not set up correctly.