Troubleshooting Trailer Tire Wear on the Outside Edge of the Tire

Updated 04/11/2024 | Published 03/10/2015

Question:

I have e-zee load tandem boat trailer that carries a 22ft. aluminum ocean type boat with 250 two stroke with a 20 hp. kicker motor. carries 100gal. fuel. has a swim deck to which the 250 is mounted. app 2ft deck. the outside edges of the rear tires wear considerable more than rest of tire. have to replace them every 2 yrs. I put probably 2000mi on trailer per year. trailer has torsion stud axle instead if normal spring axles. what can I do to stop this?=====thank you out edge tire wear on both rear tires on tandem boat trailer. 22ft. boat 100gal. fuel 250 two stro

asked by: Dave W

Expert Reply:

Typically, when the outside edges of a tire are showing wear its because the tires are under-inflated. The solution is to inflate the tires to the maximum pressure listed on the sidewall.

Now if the outside of tires have what looks like gouges are taken out of the rubber most likely it is broken suspension components or its a bent axle or spindle.

Unlike passenger vehicle tires, you always want to have trailer tires inflated to the maximum tire pressure for the best performance and wear.

Now if the wear is on only on the outside edge of the tires that would indicate that either the torsion axle needs to be aligned better, or you just aren't putting enough weight in the trailer. Most standard trailer axles have a bow in them that points up in the middle. When enough weight is placed on the axle it will straighten out. Otherwise the tires will tilt in at the bottoms. This is likely what is going on.

expert reply by: Jameson C

4/11/2024

In your reply to Dave, the last paragraph, you said "Now if the wear is on only on the outside edge of the tires that would indicate that either the torsion axle needs to be aligned better, or you just aren't putting enough weight in the trailer" Did this mean only on ONE tire or BOTH? My 24' gooseneck wears both rear tires on the outside edge badly, and I have pressure up to max. Brand new trailer. front tires wear evenly... Ideas how to fix?

Jameson C.

4/11/2024

@Ad I meant that as in both tires. If the rear tires are wearing that would indicate you probably have the trailer sitting nose high and if you can lower the gooseneck coupler on your trailer you'd fix that.