4.80-12 Trailer Tires Wearing in Middle Could it be 30 Inch Slipper Springs
Updated 10/22/2024 | Published 10/21/2024
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Question:
I bought a light 16 foot aluminum boat 260 pounds with a 15 hp motor 95 pounds. The trailer is homemade made in the late 1970s. It has a 2,500 pound axle with 30 inch 4 leaf slipper springs. The 4.80-12 tires will show a lot wear in the middle of the tire after 500 miles. The bearings are good. Are the leaf springs too heavy duty too stiff for my light boat. Do you think the trailer is bouncing at high speeds causing the tires to wear out in the middle? The tires are inflated to max pressure 90 lbs. Could going with new 3 leaf springs resolve the issue? Thanks
asked by: Gary R
Expert Reply:
Hi Gary,
Yes, it is possible the bounce is causing the issue with your tires wearing out more in the middle. You may try lowering the psi in the tires to help stop the bouncing, or going with a lower-rated tire like the load range B Kenda # AM10060. This has a 785 lb per-tire capacity, and it is important to makes sure the tires have a capacity that meets or exceed the GVWR of your trailer.
That can be tough with a homemade trailer, of course, so I recommend weighing it fully loaded to see what it really is. Then, if the lower-rated tires work, go with that, or go with lower-rated slipper springs like the 2-Leaf Slipper Spring w/ Flat End for 1,800-lb Trailer Axles - 30" Long # e29SR.
The number of leaves won't actually matter, as the 3-leaf # e49SR is still rated for 2,900 lbs so it would still be high for your trailer, and would still result in a rough ride due to its stiffness.
Product Page this Question was Asked From
3-Leaf Slipper Spring w/ Flat End for 2,900-lb Trailer Axles - 30" Long
- Trailer Leaf Springs
- Slipper Springs
- 9/16 Inch Eye
- Nylon Bushings
- 2900 lbs
- 1-3/4 Inch Wide
- 3 Leaf
- 30 Inch Long
- Standard Grade
- etrailer
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Gary
10/22/2024
Could going with radial tires resolve the issue? It seems the tire wear occurs with high speed (73mph) freeway driving. Would going with radial tires make a difference? I am thinking about replacing the 4.80-12 tires with ST145R12 tires.