Boat Trailer Tires Wearing on the Inside Tread Mostly on Right Side of Trailer

Published 05/23/2014

Question:

I have a ranger boat trailer that has tire wearing on the inside mostly right side. 2 years ago my wheel bearing failed and my right trailer wheel rolled into a vineyard. Had the right wheel, axle, and fender replaced. After that I had to replace the both tires right and left and within 9months the right tire blew..I thought it was a bad tires because after 2months the left trailer tire also blew...now its been almost a year and the right tire is starting to wear again...I replaced both wheel bearing and regreased both wheel bearings and replace the seals 2months ago. Is there such a thing as wheel alignment for boat trailer? If there is, How do I fix the alignment?

asked by: Ge Y

Expert Reply:

You can align trailers. Basically to see if it is off, measure from the center of the coupler diagonally to the center of the end of the spindle. Then do the same on the other side. Make sure to measure from the same spot on the coupler to the same spot on the spindle. If the axle is not straight these measurements will be different. Being off a hair though would be fine.

Suspension wear can cause uneven tire wear as well. If the holes used in the hangers or any part of the suspension are egg-shaped instead of round then those worn parts will need to be replaced.

Tire wear on the inside usually indicates that the trailer is overloaded, but you would see it on by sides not just one. That makes me think that the spindle on the affect side is angled slightly up when it should be straight. I would have a shop that works on trailers take a look at it.

Blowing tires could be a result of the other problems you are having but it could also be the inflation. Trailer tires should always be inflated to the maximum psi indicated on the tire. This is because trailer tires are built with a thicker sidewall to handle more vertical load. If they are under inflated the thicker sidewall causes excessive heat which is the number one enemy of tires.

expert reply by: Michael H