Trailer tire wear

[BWatson]

I've got an odd wear pattern on one of my trailer tires on my car trailer. It's only on the front left tire (brake axle). There's a 2 ft spot of wear on the inside of the tread. There's another identical wear spot 180 degrees from it. The tread on the rest of the tire looks find all the way across the tread! What could cause this wear pattern? axle alignment? Why only on 1 wheel?



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[Blu-meanie]

Looks like the wheel is locking up. I'd check that out, or take it to a tire guy that's over 20 years old and ask him.

 

[robertyoke]

crappy goodyear tire with a shifted belt? replace tire with spare and see if pattern returns. could be brake drum hanging up in one spot, because it is out of round or the magnet is worn out and digging in.

-robert

 

[Slow Six]

My guess is the tire is in the process of separating and getting ready to grenade. I had a similar experience with HT Wranglers on my Citation last winter. My wear patterns were different than yours but still unusual. I got rid of all 4 as the others were starting to go the same way. I replaced with Michelin XPS Ribs and what a difference.

 

[BWatson]

I tried jacking the tire up and spinning it while someone slightly applied the brake. It may have grabbed more slightly in some spots, but barely. It doesn't seem like it could make a difference. The wheel is not locking up I can see it from the drivers seat.



The wear is gradual. It's been getting worse over time. I just finally noticed it was that bad and put my spare on. The tire is not just suddenly coming apart. The tires are Carlisle 8 plys. All the other tires are in great shape.

 

[RustyJC]

Are your trailer tires (this tire, specifically) balanced?



Rusty

 

[richardcoxid]

Could the rim be bent?

 

[JHofmann]

That tire has shifted/seperating belts and will instasplode very,very soon!

 

[Dan_69GTX]

Are your trailer tires (this tire, specifically) balanced?



Rusty

I agree with Rusty - looks like a tire out of balance. (yes, it could also be a belt problem).



To figure it out you could take it to someone who has a road force tire balancer. These take into account radial run-out to determine if the tire is bad - as well as balance. However since the tire is shot - I would just replace it.



Oh yea - since you can't trust the tire guy (most of whom seem to failed high school) that is why I own 2 tire balancers and 2 tire changers.



Dan

 

[BWatson]

Well. . Months later I finally got around to changing the tire. (I've been keeping it for a spare). I took it to the tire shop to get balanced and they said they couldn't balance it because the wheel was bent! I looked at it on the machine and I could see it going up and down as it spun.



Looks like richardcoxid got it right!