Troubleshooting Premature Trailer Tire Wear

Published 12/04/2014

Question:

I have an 8.5 X 20foot enclosed trailer with 5200# axles. I have only had the trailer 4 months and have had to replace the tires 3 times now. I have also replaced the drums and backing plates. The tires continue to wear uneven, its kind of like sandpaper. I have my brake control set at the lowest setting and pull it with a new Chevy 3500 dually. I also make sure that my tires are properly inflated to 65 PSI. Any suggestions on what may be causing this tire wear would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

asked by: Mel

Expert Reply:

The first place I would look is at the suspension components of your trailer. Worn out suspension can cause tires to wear strange. You could jack up your trailer (use jackstands) and get underneath your trailer and see if you can find any movement in your suspension components.

While the trailer is jacked up also try and spin the wheels of the trailer. They should spin freely by hand but you should feel a light drag from the brake assemblies. If this drag isn't present the assemblies might be adjusted too tight or too loose. To properly adjust them you will need to tighten them down all the way till you can't turn the wheel anymore by hand and then back it off 10 clicks. See the video I attached at the 4:30 mark for more info.

Overloading the tires can cause them to wear out as well. Be sure to stay under the capacity of the tires that is stamped on the sidewall of the tires.

Trailer tires should be inflated to their max psi listed on the sidewall as well. Failure to have them inflated to their max can cause premature wear and failure.

expert reply by: Jameson C