Rear Tires Wearing on a Ford F-350 Dually With Overload Springs When Towing a Fifth Wheel Trailer

Expert Reply:

If you used the Reese install kit, part # RP50082-58, your hitch centerline would already be forward of the axle. I have included a link to the instructions below. The last page shows where the hitch should be in relation to the axle. If you move too far forward, you will run into clearance issues when turning.

I am wondering if the trailer is nose heavy and moving some things around in the trailer may get some of the pin weight off and reduce the weight on the axle. Hitch up the trailer and load it as you would if you were taking it on a trip. Go to a scale and with the trailer on, pull the truck onto the scale, but keep keep the trailer tires off. This should give you the truck weight and pin weight of the trailer combined. Take the trailer off and measure the truck. The difference between the two weights would be your tongue weight. Finally, pull the trailer onto the scale and un-hitch from the truck. This will give you the trailer weight.

If your pin weight is greater than 20 percent of your total trailer weight, than the trailer is nose heavy and could be causing the excessive tire wear.

Your truck is now level with the springs, but is the trailer level? The trailer and truck both need to be level. Fifth wheel heads can be moved up and down to help keep the trailer level. Both the truck and trailer need to be level when towing.

I am also wondering about the tires themselves. If you have mud or off-road tires on the truck, they may be a softer rubber compound. Mud and off-road tires are not designed to carry the extra load of towing.

Please write back and let me know what you have found and I will help you further.

expert reply by: Patrick B