Rotating tires on a single axle boat trailer ?

[Bird]

I did it today for the first time after years of owning various single axle trailers.

 

Driver side tire is wearing on the inside and passenger side is wearing on the outside.

Bearings are good and torque to spec so must be in the spindle itself.

 

The other problem is I couldn't do this in the garage as this would change the direction of the steel belted radial.

Had to remove the wheels and have the the tires put on opposite wheels to keep the direction the same.

 

Yes, I've heard it said many times to never reverse the direction of a steel belted radial.......'ole wives tale ?

[Vilas15]

Hows your tire pressure?

[Bird]

8 minutes ago, Vilas15 said:

Hows your tire pressure?

Good question.

Always keep them at max psi 65 lbs

[Tennessee Boy]

2 hours ago, Bird said:

Yes, I've heard it said many times to never reverse the direction of a steel belted radial.......'ole wives tale ?

Great question.  I’ve wondered the same thing.  I hope someone who knows what they’re talking about has the answer.

[Spankey]

I love the way the radial tires handle and touch the road. 

[Bankc]

3 hours ago, Bird said:

Yes, I've heard it said many times to never reverse the direction of a steel belted radial.......'ole wives tale ?

Yeah, it's an 'ole wives tale.  It was a thing a very long time ago when steel belted radials first came out.  But they fixed that issue several decades ago.  So it's nothing to worry about these days.  But, having said that, there are directional tires that you're not supposed to reverse.  Typically found on high performance tires and they'll have arrows indicating such.  It's due to the direction of the tread, not the internal structure of the tire itself.  But I highly doubt you'd have them on a trailer. 

 

It's like the 'ole wives tale of not to put a car battery directly on the ground.  It too was a thing a very long time ago.  But they fixed that several decades ago when they started putting batteries in plastic casings, and it's now okay to put a car battery directly on the ground.

[Bird]

Just a little update and in case someone may face this issue.

I was experiencing uneven tire wear on a single axle boat trailer and likely found the culprit today.

Found the axle to be out of square by half an inch so should correct the tire wear, hopefully.

 

[A-Jay]

27 minutes ago, Bird said:

Just a little update and in case someone may face this issue.

I was experiencing uneven tire wear on a single axle boat trailer and likely found the culprit today.

Found the axle to be out of square by half an inch so should correct the tire wear, hopefully.

 

Thank you.

How did you determine this ?

Asking for a friend. 

A-Jay

[Bird]

1 hour ago, A-Jay said:

Thank you.

How did you determine this ?

Asking for a friend. 

A-Jay

I clamped a tape measure to the top of the square axle housing up against the flange on both sides.

I then pulled a measurement to the square section of tounge where it folds giving a nice flat surface to deal with.

I then loosened the 4 bolts holding the leaf spring assembly on just one side and tapped with a heavy rubber mallet until both measurements were equal.

I did loosen the opposite side to prevent binding.

Guess the 'ole saying holds true " if you want the job done right you gotta do it yourself " .

Thanks for asking.

[gim]

I’m in over my head here. No way I could do what @Bird did to determine the problem. Leaf springs, bolts, tongue, square section, flanges, and flat surface with a rubber mallet while using a measuring tape. How about in English next time?
 

I just replace my trailer tires every 5 years instead. Have them balanced by a tire shop.

[Way2slow]

Sorry gimruis, if that was French to you, this is probably mandarin. 

Something that works great and I do on all my trailers is align the axles. 

I used to have it done but in today's world it's almost impossible to do.  

First you have to find a shop that has the equipment to bend straight axles.  Years ago, that was no problem because a whole bunch of pickups and some cars had straight axles, but not today.

Then you have to find someone that actually knows how to use it without the computer showing them.  If they can't look it up in a computer and it tell them what to do, they don't have a clue.  

Because of that, years ago I bought a caster camber gauge that mounts to the wheel and have a porta power attachment for bending the axles.  Mine is old and can't find one like I have but here's a magnetic tool that's supposed to do the same thing. Amazon.com: Caster Camber Tool, Wheel Camber Gauge, DECO Magnetic Caster Camber Gauge Suspension Tool, Aluminum Magnetic Camber Adjustment Tool, Wheel Alignment Tool : Automotive    You are on your own on how you are going to bend it because couldn't find anything similar to my tool for doing that.  With the right equipment, it's not hard to do.

Ranger boats used to use that as a selling point, saying they aligned all their trailers.  Don't know if they still make that claim or not.

[gim]

13 minutes ago, Way2slow said:

Ranger boats used to use that as a selling point, saying they aligned all their trailers.  Don't know if they still make that claim or not.

My Ranger is a 2015 model.  I've changed the trailer tires once, back in the spring of 2021.  The current versions are still in pretty good shape in terms of tread and I haven't noticed any uneven wear on them.  My boat sits in the garage when not in use so its not outside in the elements.

 

I take my boat in every October for winterization at the dealer I bought it from and an inspection of the trailer is part of what they do.

[DaubsNU1]

@gimruis keeping boat garaged really helps...no sunlight beating down on the tires. Keep eye on tire manufacture date. I'm replacing every ~5 years going forward, regardless of tread wear.

 

Buddy recommended I swap out tires on my 5th wheel (we purchased it used in 2020).

 

I did not realize those tires were nine years old(!) Tread looked great. Tire tech showed me one of the tires was bulging...and about to grenade.

 

Stay safe out there people!

[gim]

Ya I think the 5 year rule is a good one.  If you leave your trailer outside, maybe sooner.

 

Don't forget to inspect the spare tire too.

[Jig Man]

1 hour ago, DaubsNU1 said:

@gimruis keeping boat garaged really helps...no sunlight beating down on the tires. Keep eye on tire manufacture date. I'm replacing every ~5 years going forward, regardless of tread wear.

 

Buddy recommended I swap out tires on my 5th wheel (we purchased it used in 2020).

 

I did not realize those tires were nine years old(!) Tread looked great. Tire tech showed me one of the tires was bulging...and about to grenade.

 

Stay safe out there people!

When we had a 5th wheeler and did a lot of traveling we were on several sites for that kind of recreation.  One thing that they had in common was never go anywhere on 7 year old tires no matter how many miles were on them or how they looked.

[Way2slow]

Most tire shops will not service or put a tire 6 years old (the DOT age limit) back on a wheel or vehicle.

The tires on my 2500HD pickup are eight years old.  The came with free rotation and the tire shop says they can no longer honor that.  I rarely drive the truck since I just used it for towing my boat.  I sold my bass boat, gave the Pontoon boat to my granddaughter and my 93 4WD Toyota pickup has no problems with my 1436 Lowe, so that gas hog (10 to 12.5mpg) is not used for long trips and stays parked most of the time.  In fact, anyone want a good deal on a 2001 Silverado 2500HD.  I really should just get rid of it. 

[DaubsNU1]

13 minutes ago, Way2slow said:

In fact, anyone want a good deal on a 2001 Silverado 2500HD.  I really should just get rid of it. 

 

What engine in that truck?  I had a 2004 with the 496/8.1....it was a BEAST!

[Way2slow]

6.0 gas with 4:10 gears.  It's great for towing and that's what it's made for, as long as you don't mind feeding it.  It's the only truck I've ever owned that my wife actually "liked" to go in, rides good, roomy and comfortable, and I've owned a 4WD truck/vehicle since 1967

[Bolar]

22 hours ago, Way2slow said:

Most tire shops will not service or put a tire 6 years old (the DOT age limit) back on a wheel or vehicle.

The tires on my 2500HD pickup are eight years old.  The came with free rotation and the tire shop says they can no longer honor that.  I rarely drive the truck since I just used it for towing my boat.  I sold my bass boat, gave the Pontoon boat to my granddaughter and my 93 4WD Toyota pickup has no problems with my 1436 Lowe, so that gas hog (10 to 12.5mpg) is not used for long trips and stays parked most of the time.  In fact, anyone want a good deal on a 2001 Silverado 2500HD.  I really should just get rid of it. 

 

Ha!! I have the same thing!  2000 Silverado 2500 long bed with around 50K miles.  We only pull it out to work.   We keep it for the gooseneck horse trailer mostly, although it has come in handy plenty of other times.