Forum Discussion

ventrman's avatar
ventrman
Explorer
Jul 21, 2014

5th Wheel Tire Problem.

There are 4 Tires on my 5th Wheel. This is my first Time out towing. When I was in Calhoun, GA I cut too short and Crunched my Left side Storage Panel on a Steel Barrier at a Gas Station.
When I left Chintoteague, VA I noticed that my front Tire on the Driver's Side of the 5th Wheel was wearing.
When I got a couple of Hours down the Road and I checked it again. It was so worn that the Cords were showing on the Tire.
I have Good Sam Roadside Assistance and they put my Brand New Spare Tire on. He did not torque the Lug Nuts down with a Torque Wrench. When I got about 30 Miles from Leicester, MA I checked the Spare they had put on and it was wearing on the Inside but none of the other Tires were wearing unevenly.
I was at a TA Truck Stop so I had them put the Tire that was wearing unevenly in the back on the left Side and Put the Other Tire in Front. The Tire Man at the Truck Stop Torqued the Lug Nuts down with a Torque Wrench.
He was of the Opinion that when I crunched the Side Panel that it twisted something resulting in uneven Tire Wear.
We then traveled about 6 or 7 Hours to the Bar Harbor Area of Maine. I checked the Tire at every Fuel Stop. I checked it again when we got here. The Tire that I had swapped around does not appear to be wearing unevenly at all. what do Y'all think? Was it caused by the Accident or because the Lugs were not Torqued down Properly?
  • ventrman's avatar
    ventrman
    Explorer
    Jul 23, 2014
    Thanks everyone for the Suggestions. I will measure the Distance between Tires. I suspect that most of you are right about the bent Axle. I will Post an Update when I know for sure.
  • JIMNLIN's avatar
    JIMNLIN
    Explorer III
    Jul 23, 2014
    Improper lug torque won't cause a tire wear issue like that unless the lugs are loose and the wheel has movement and the wheel wasn't seated properly.
    I've pulled non RV trailer for a living for close to a million miles and have never used a torque wrench on a trailer with steel wheels. I've had no issues from doing so.
    IMO time for a alignment check for a bent axle tube or its stub along with suspension pins and bushing/equalizer bar check for worn parts.
  • FastEagle's avatar
    FastEagle
    Explorer
    Jul 22, 2014
    Do you do this often in your travels? Tire stresses are often written about on this forum. Here is a video about side loads.

    Click here

    FastEagle
  • golf_bears's avatar
    golf_bears
    Explorer
    Jul 22, 2014
    Sounds like your axle spindle is bent. Take a measuring tape and measure from the right side tire to the left side tire. Measure in front of the tire and in the back of the tire from the same tire tread. If the measurements are not the same most likely the axle spindle is bent.

    I had a similar situation a few years ago in Alaska. My measurements were 3/8” difference. Had to replace the axle.
  • ventrman's avatar
    ventrman
    Explorer
    Jul 21, 2014
    caberto wrote:
    UFO's.

    Haha... rather strange situation you've got going on there. You didn't mention if the odd wear tire (now in the rear drivers side) got worse or stayed the same... if worse, then perhaps the wheel itself somehow got tweaked and it's not the axle that is the culprit in this mystery?

    Either way... as others have stated, good idea to have the axles and wheel(s) checked out.


    It stayed the same.
  • caberto's avatar
    caberto
    Explorer
    Jul 21, 2014
    UFO's.

    Haha... rather strange situation you've got going on there. You didn't mention if the odd wear tire (now in the rear drivers side) got worse or stayed the same... if worse, then perhaps the wheel itself somehow got tweaked and it's not the axle that is the culprit in this mystery?

    Either way... as others have stated, good idea to have the axles and wheel(s) checked out.
  • BB_TX's avatar
    BB_TX
    Nomad
    Jul 21, 2014
    Don't know why the last tire is not showing the same wear. But if the lug nuts were tight, then not having torqued them would not be the issue.
    Like others, I would definitely have the axles and alignment checked.
  • the_bear_II's avatar
    the_bear_II
    Explorer
    Jul 21, 2014
    Sounds like you may need to visit an alignment shop to make sure the axles are where they need to be and all of the rims are true.
  • pyoung47's avatar
    pyoung47
    Explorer
    Jul 21, 2014
    I would have guessed you damaged the wheel originally but that doesnt explain the second tire wear. Torque would not likely be a factor in that small a distance unless it was actually loose. Id check both wheels to be sure they are true before mounting new tires.

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