Tire wear and causes wisdom needed
I've searched a lot on here yesterday and it seems I have one of a few problems...bent axle, bent spindle, bad suspension parts, bad wheel bearing, or a **** tire. Pretty much covers all the options. Assuming it's one of those, my plan is this, but I'd like some weigh from those far more experienced than I.
It does go to the dealer tomorrow night - for the basic analysis before I either take it to a truck/trailer alignment place or let the dealer repair (suspension parts or axle replacement). I'm out of warranty under Keystone, and probably out of warranty on the axles too, though I do have an extended warranty, and I don't know what that will cover.
Brief history - when we left NC at the end of July for the long haul home (PA), I checked inside and out of the tires and nothing showed visible wear patterns. I hauled the week after to a local campground, but I got in a pickle with directions and had to make smaller than desired turn around. I didn't think the turn was awful, but getting out of the lot I used, I had to go down the lip of the curb - not the highest part, but maybe 3-4 inches. I literally crawled down it as I knew I was going over it, so I can't imagine that could have done axle damage, but who knows. I do know that I've hit many a bridge joint that made me cringe, and any one of those could have beat it to hell. I know I'm not overloaded - never hauled toys, and I've weighed it more than once. I'm at least 2500+lbs less than my gross of 16, 000.
I was lucky, when I came home and parked yday, I put a board under this side, and noticed this:
Looking from the back to front of camper
Looking between the wheels
So, rear drivers side tire heavily worn to the inside, and it had to be within the last 1000 miles or less - I'm guessing in the last 500 as I regularly glance at them and didn't see any signs of significant wear. Darn lucky it didn't blow - it's down to the steel belts (which are sticking out). I vaguely recall it running a bit hotter (maybe 5 degrees) than the other tires hauling it home yesterday. All three other tires appear to be wearing evenly, including the tire on the opposite axle from this worn one. I would have thought I'd see signs of wear on the front driver's side from dragging this rear one, or on the other rear side, particularly if the axle is bent (I'd expect both sides to reflect the bent axle?).
I intended to upgrade to the Mor-ryde or Dexter suspension components (wet bolts, hangers, bushings etc.). I think my dealer does mor-ryde (or that's what they advertise). Any benefit over one or the other? I assume that this is a good time to do that (of course, making sure the alignment issue is corrected as well)?
I also intend on new tires all the way around - was going to do that in the spring anyhow, as I've gotten a lot of miles on these compared to other forum members. I bought it used at a year old, and I put at least 12-15, 000 miles on it in the last two years. They've been solid tires for china bombs, but I don't haul toys nor haul much over 65mph. I'm looking at Maxxis, Sailuns, or Carlisles. I do want to go to a bit better quality F or G rated, and would be more comfortable with a 75mph (since the 65 isn't for sustained speeds at a heavy weight) speed rating. I do worry about g rated tires on the camper and the rough ride - I have 19.5's and G's on the truck, and it's absolutely a rougher ride. I have to check the rim when I pull it off and validate that it's one of the 110psi rated rims. What sways you to one tire or another (other than the obvious cost)?
Looking for some input on whether this all sounds like the right path forward, thoughts on the tire wear and your experiences, and guidance as to which suspension upgrade to do. I can figure out the tires based on all the discussions here I think....once I validate the rims.
It does go to the dealer tomorrow night - for the basic analysis before I either take it to a truck/trailer alignment place or let the dealer repair (suspension parts or axle replacement). I'm out of warranty under Keystone, and probably out of warranty on the axles too, though I do have an extended warranty, and I don't know what that will cover.
Brief history - when we left NC at the end of July for the long haul home (PA), I checked inside and out of the tires and nothing showed visible wear patterns. I hauled the week after to a local campground, but I got in a pickle with directions and had to make smaller than desired turn around. I didn't think the turn was awful, but getting out of the lot I used, I had to go down the lip of the curb - not the highest part, but maybe 3-4 inches. I literally crawled down it as I knew I was going over it, so I can't imagine that could have done axle damage, but who knows. I do know that I've hit many a bridge joint that made me cringe, and any one of those could have beat it to hell. I know I'm not overloaded - never hauled toys, and I've weighed it more than once. I'm at least 2500+lbs less than my gross of 16, 000.
I was lucky, when I came home and parked yday, I put a board under this side, and noticed this:
Looking from the back to front of camper
Looking between the wheels
So, rear drivers side tire heavily worn to the inside, and it had to be within the last 1000 miles or less - I'm guessing in the last 500 as I regularly glance at them and didn't see any signs of significant wear. Darn lucky it didn't blow - it's down to the steel belts (which are sticking out). I vaguely recall it running a bit hotter (maybe 5 degrees) than the other tires hauling it home yesterday. All three other tires appear to be wearing evenly, including the tire on the opposite axle from this worn one. I would have thought I'd see signs of wear on the front driver's side from dragging this rear one, or on the other rear side, particularly if the axle is bent (I'd expect both sides to reflect the bent axle?).
I intended to upgrade to the Mor-ryde or Dexter suspension components (wet bolts, hangers, bushings etc.). I think my dealer does mor-ryde (or that's what they advertise). Any benefit over one or the other? I assume that this is a good time to do that (of course, making sure the alignment issue is corrected as well)?
I also intend on new tires all the way around - was going to do that in the spring anyhow, as I've gotten a lot of miles on these compared to other forum members. I bought it used at a year old, and I put at least 12-15, 000 miles on it in the last two years. They've been solid tires for china bombs, but I don't haul toys nor haul much over 65mph. I'm looking at Maxxis, Sailuns, or Carlisles. I do want to go to a bit better quality F or G rated, and would be more comfortable with a 75mph (since the 65 isn't for sustained speeds at a heavy weight) speed rating. I do worry about g rated tires on the camper and the rough ride - I have 19.5's and G's on the truck, and it's absolutely a rougher ride. I have to check the rim when I pull it off and validate that it's one of the 110psi rated rims. What sways you to one tire or another (other than the obvious cost)?
Looking for some input on whether this all sounds like the right path forward, thoughts on the tire wear and your experiences, and guidance as to which suspension upgrade to do. I can figure out the tires based on all the discussions here I think....once I validate the rims.
Moderator edit to re-size pictures to forum recommended limit of 640px maximum width.
