Uneven wear on trailer tires - Inside

[Glock Diver]

So I noticed that the INSIDE of my 4 tires are wearing much faster than the rest.  I have a 2008 Karavan trailer with disc brakes, torsion axles.  Bought it from a trailer rental place about 10 months ago.

Anyone had this happen to their trailer tires?  More importantly, how do I fix it??  

[Circle Hooked]

Mike check the hub nut on each wheel if it's to loose the wheel will wobble and cause that,it should be finger tight,my new work trailer had the same problem,just didn't notice till i saw tire wear.

[wingtime]

I'd say something is loose or the trailer is overloaded.  Do the tires look like they are tilted in at the top?

[John Jones]

usually a sign of overload.

[slvrlng]

I agree it sounds like an overload situation, but it could be the bands inside the torsion axles have stretched. If your trailer is only 2 years old it should not have done this so soon and it might be a possible warranty situation from the axle manufacturer. What is the weight rating on the axles? The worst thing you can do with torsion axles is let them sit unused, sitting still just accelerates the aging process. That is why I personally like old school springs and shackle setups on boat trailers.

[Glock Diver]

The weight of the whole rig is about 6300 lbs, when I have a full tank of gas, which is actually not typical  

The trailer weighs 1100 lbs.
Boat + Fuel weighs 5200 lbs.

Although I can't remember the specs, it's within the weight rating for that trailer (that's actually why I got this trailer-- the old trailer had no brakes, had leaf springs, and was under rated for my load).

I'll check the bands.  Although its a 2008 model trailer, I think it's been in use since 2007.  3 years now.  Hopefully a warranty issue, but I dunno.  I tow it about 3 times per month.

[John Jones]

Most likely they are 3500 lb. axles.  We all know manufacturers like to stretch specifications.

[Glock Diver]

Most likely they are 3500 lb. axles.  We all know manufacturers like to stretch specifications.

3500 lbs- That sounds correct.  The wheels are 14".

Which, on a double-axle trailer, should give me a GVWR of 7,000 lbs.  I'll put my level on the tires tomorrow, and check the hub nuts like Scott mentioned.

[Circle Hooked]

If you can jack up a wheel,grab with both hands and push and pull on it if theirs play that would be the nut or bearings.

If the nut is loose you should probably check the bearings anyway to be safe.

[Glock Diver]

I will try that too, BUT I just had the trailer shop new brakes put on this trailer in September. Brakes on front axle, but they put new hubs on all 4 wheels  
 :x
I'm a little upset they didn't notice the tread wear, or TELL me about it.  Here is a picture. I checked the hubs- seemed to be very tight. Damn this is frustrating!  Especially after I dropped $600 on brakes just 2 months ago!

There does seem to be some slight angling of the tires (inward).  

[fitz73222]

Are the torsion axles adjustable like a torsion bar on vehicle front suspensions? I can understand the torsion axles being out of adjustment that would affect ride height, but how does it affect camber or caster? Wouldn't the axles themselves have to be bent in order to change camber or caster? Is it possible to shim the mounting points in order to correct the situation?

[slvrlng]

Most torsion axles have "rubber bands" inside them that stretch over time. The worst thing you can do is let them sit in one place. As they stretch the camber of the wheels can change. This can cause wear problems especially when you are getting close to the total carrying capacity like you are.They last longer when they are used everyday and the pressure is relieved off them as you ride on the road and the tire moves up and down. Here is a link to Dexter and a general idea of how they work. Caster is only a angle of rotation in relation to the center point of the swing of the wheel ( the front wheels on a shopping cart have negative caster, the center of the wheel is behind the rotational point).

  http://www.dexteraxle.com/torflex_axles

[Circle Hooked]

Mike once you jack it up you'll no for sure,i guess the torsions could go bad but everyone i talked to said the axle would rust apart before the torsions went bad,and that was the case for me,i just replaced an axle and torsions in Oct.

[Glock Diver]

Mike once you jack it up you'll no for sure,i guess the torsions could go bad but everyone i talked to said the axle would rust apart before the torsions went bad,and that was the case for me,i just replaced an axle and torsions in Oct.

I'm afraid to ask... but, what did that set you back?  

[wingtime]

Whoa! something is bigtime out of whack!  caster, camber, toe in or something like that...  looks like more than just riding on the inside a bit.  Is the tread cupped or anything?