What Might Cause a Tandem Axle Trailer Front Axle Tires Insides to Wear Out Quicker

Updated 03/13/2024 | Published 03/10/2024

Question:

I have a tandem axle, 16ft long car hauler/utility trailer. I am experiencing excessive wear on the inside of both right and left tires. This is the front axle with electric brakes. The right side tire wears much faster than the left, though both are wearing the same pattern. I will destroy a new tire in 2,000 miles. My rear axle works perfectly and does not excessively wear the tires. My visual inspection of the axle itself does not show any serious problem that I can perceive, just a small bow toward the top when empty. Then, looking at both front and rear axle, the rear axle appears to be almost straight with no slight bow to the top. The spindles, bearings, and brakes all look right and are just tightinch exactly as they should be with just the slightest back and forth looseness, but not excessive at all. My question is: how can I confirm the problem to solve? Overloaded bent axle? Mounting mis-alignment that I cannot see from some road event a few trips ago? The trailer is old and has been rock solid reliable and trustworthy for years and many miles. I can say I may have overloaded it in the past, just unsure. I am looking at a possible new spindle as I just bought new hubs, drums, and brakes for this axle a few years ago from eTrailer. My reference spindle will be your Item # e73GR

asked by: Michial T

Expert Reply:

My guess would be that your trailer is sitting a little nose down which is putting excessive wear on the front axle instead of the rear. If you look at the trailer when hooked up does the suspension equalizer sit level or is it angled? If it's not level this would show it's not sitting level. I attached a help article on picking out ball mounts as well.

expert reply by: Jameson C

Michialt

3/12/2024

Thank you for the prompt reply. I look at that as well every time I pull a trailer. I will review this, again later today for confirmation, but looking at the empty trailer attached to my truck on level ground, it looks visually flat, plus looking at the suspension equalizer, it looks even, as well. Loading the trailer would then lower the suspension just a bit, thus raising the tongue moment, I think. Will also review the suggested drop mount point. Appreciate that. Mike

Jameson C.

3/12/2024

@Michialt If it's sitting level the next thing I would assume is an alignment issue with the front axle or possible a worn suspension component so maybe look for that as well. Like a worn out/broken shackle strap etc.

Michialt

3/12/2024

Second reply. I parked the truck and trailer together on flat concrete driveway. First, I measured the height of the consistent frame rails that are equal height from the ground level on both front and rear. Sitting level on the ball on the truck, the front is an inch higher than the rear measure point. This is fine as when I get some load on the truck/trailer, this would naturally settle closer to null. I run airbags on my truck, and when I get more weight in the bed/tongue, I can raise the hitch point a few inches as needed to achieve better balance. Now, here is what is interesting to me. See attached pic. I took a picture of the tandem axle suspension equalizer swing hinges and I find the front axle rides lower than the rear axle by about 25-30 degrees. Both sides are equal in this observation. What is my problem, now? Suspension leafs? Thank you for the assist. FYI, I cannot find an image file attachment option to reply with. MichialT

Jameson C.

3/13/2024

@Michialt It could very well be worn out leaf springs. Or possibly there's two different sets of springs on the front axle vs the rear and one axle is allowed to sit lower than the other because of this. If the front axle is taking on more of the trailer weight than the rear it would cause the tire wear you are experiencing. If you can find a shop that does trailer alignments you can take it there and they will pretty easily determine whats going on as well.