Trailer Tire Wear or Problem?

[crashz]

I have a relatively new (4 years old) Quality Steel and Aluminum 10K, 18ft, equipment trailer and towed my tractor to and from a job yesterday. When I returned, I noticed that the tires on the front axle have a flat spot where it looked like the wheels locked and dragged. The tread (the tires are probably worn down by about a 1/3rd to 1/2) is completely worn off of the flat spots. No cords or belts showing, but completely flat for about a palms width. I did not see the same spots on the tires of the rear axle.

I had a "spirited" stop back in the spring in which the trailer was unloaded and I was towing a lawn tractor back home. The tires smoked, but I didn't think it worn the tread off. But maybe that explains it?

My big question for you guys is: Should I replace these tires now? Just the two or all four? Any good recommendations for tires? I can't remember the size offhand, but I think they are 16" rims.

 

[oldballs]

I had some flat areas (tires) on my equipment hauler several years ago. It made for a real bumpy ride. The flats areas were caused by the Surge Brakes getting locked up.......Gr-r-r-r-. After replacing tires a couple times. ......I just replaced the Surge Brakes with Electric Brakes and my problem was solved.

Cheers,
Mike

 

[timswi]

I have a relatively new (4 years old) Quality Steel and Aluminum 10K, 18ft, equipment trailer and towed my tractor to and from a job yesterday. When I returned, I noticed that the tires on the front axle have a flat spot where it looked like the wheels locked and dragged. The tread (the tires are probably worn down by about a 1/3rd to 1/2) is completely worn off of the flat spots. No cords or belts showing, but completely flat for about a palms width. I did not see the same spots on the tires of the rear axle.

I had a "spirited" stop back in the spring in which the trailer was unloaded and I was towing a lawn tractor back home. The tires smoked, but I didn't think it worn the tread off. But maybe that explains it?

My big question for you guys is: Should I replace these tires now? Just the two or all four? Any good recommendations for tires? I can't remember the size offhand, but I think they are 16" rims.

I would replace the tires--I only run tires for 4, maybe 5 years. I've had that happen with an aftermarket brake controller. The integrated controllers don't seem to hit as hard as the add-on ones even with the sensitivity would down.

 

[Lineman North Florida]

I would replace the two tires that were flat spotted and if the other two looked good with no weather cracking or dry rot I would continue to run them unless you use the trailer daily and stay on the road with it daily, if that was the case I would replace all 4.

 

[BleedingOrange]

I would replace all 4, plus the spare, and get them all balanced, as well.

 

[newbury]

I would relegate the two to "dedicated spares" swap my spare in and buy 1 more.
Unless you feel the need to have spare tire brand new I would treat it like the down sized spares that come in many cars, only for use in emergencies. Then after a few years cycle them out. Modern tires are not designed to last. IIRC the manufacturers got together and decided on a lifespan and that's what they shoot for now.

 

[crashz]

Tim - good point. I have a relatively cheap controler in that truck and it grabs quickly. I guess that unloaded skid must have done that.

 

[nyone]

Tim - good point. I have a relatively cheap controler in that truck and it grabs quickly. I guess that unloaded skid must have done that.

What controller do you have? The prodigy ones are prety good. p3 is what I used for years.

 

[crashz]

I have just a simple Reese Towpower controller. But I'm pretty sure that when I adjusted the brake boost, I did so with a load on the trailer. My truck stops pretty well and is very heavy (F450 dump) so it can be hard to tell if the trailer is braking.

I thought about this last night, but I wonder if both axles are braking properly? Shouldn't I have four flat spotted tires instead of two?

 

[TractorTech]

Is your trailer level when hooked up to the truck? I have had the front tires skid when the front is pitched up and no load. Hard for the tire to stop smoothly when there is little drag on it.

 

[crashz]

Good point, and something I didn't think of. When it's loaded its flat and level, but unloaded it sits nose-high by a few inches. It not obnoxious, but a little too high. That's probably it.

I have a brand new spare that I'll put on and I'll order another. This will get me through the rest of this year and I'll replace the four worst next year.

Newbury - I think you're right. I estimate that I have about 5,000 miles on those tires. I've had motorcycle tires last longer!

 

[wolfpack2]

On tandem axle trailer with leaf springs, the front axle will get lifted when braking heavily with the trailer lightly loaded. Just the way the equalizer between the axles works. This results in the front axle locking up the tires faster than the rear axle. Torsion axles do not have this issue.