Trailer Tire Wear-----

[Nitro 882]

I have a 2005 Nitro NX 882 w/150merc. I can get about 2500/3000 miles on a set of good tires before they are almost worn through on the very inside of the tire.The outside looks like new and I can reverse and remount them and get another 2500/3000 miles out of them. They just look like hell with the worn part showing and everyone at the ramp telling me I need new tires. I keep a close watch on wheel bearings, packing once a season and replacing when needed. I also adjust the crown nut as needed to minimize play in the wheel as the bearings seat.

This wear started about 2 years after I got the rig and I'm thinking that the axle has gotten bent somehow and needs replacing.

What do you guys think?

[Fishing Rhino]

Sounds like a camber problem. On a trailer, the tires should be perpendicular to the ground.

If it tips in or out at the top, you will wear out one edge of the tire.

With that much wear in so few miles, I'd also hazard a guess that wheel is also toed in or out.

The combination of camber and alignment problems will cause the tread to scrub along the pavement.

You can check both easily.

Get the trailer on level ground and then place a level against the top and bottom bulge of the sidewall.  It should be plumb. You can also use a framing square. Put it against the sidewall bulges and the pavement. It should sit flat on the pavement and contact both the top and bottom bulge of the tire's sidewall.

A couple of helpers will make the toe in/out measurement easier. You'll need a couple of straight edges that are a foot or so longer than the diameter of the tire, and a measuring tape.

Having the straight edges held against the tire, parallel to the ground at axle height, measure the distances between the straight edges at the front and rear of the tires. They should be equal.

You'll be able to tell which way the axle is bent once you check it out.

I'd suggest taking it to a place that does spring work for trucks. Chances are they can straighten it, and do the job right.

[Al Wolbach]

A friend of mine had the same problem with his tandem axle trailer. He took his trailer to an automotive frame shop and had everything straightened and lined up. He said they chained it down and used hydraulics to straighten everything including the axles. They charged him $100 and he did not have to remove his boat.(20ft bass boat) However that was about five years ago so the price will probably be higher. Just something you may want to investigate...........It would not take long to recoup the money, tires are not cheap.....................Al

[sodaksker]

Take it to a professional alignment company.  that is the first thing I do when buying a new "to me rig".  I just had a single axle trailer done 5 months ago.  They did the alignement and repacked my wheel bearings for $138.  No new bearing but new seals.

Based on your tire wear, I would guess your trailer needs an alignment.

[fourbizz]

toe problem. you can check this by doing what Fishing Rhino said. Pretty easy to do.

[Al Wolbach]

Take it to a professional alignment company. that is the first thing I do when buying a new "to me rig". I just had a single axle trailer done 5 months ago. They did the alignement and repacked my wheel bearings for $138. No new bearing but new se

Based on your tire wear, I would guess your trailer needs an alignment.

After you have measured everything you will have to have this done to correct the problem..................Al

[Nitro 882]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I thought something was out of wack, but it helps to have your confirmation. I'm planning a trip to Fla.in Feb (3000 mi. round trip) and I'll be sure to have this taken care of before I leave.

Happy Holidays to all, and to all a good bite. :

(I'm sorry, I couldn't help myself.)