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Clamon4's avatar
Clamon4
Explorer
Apr 07, 2015

Trailer tire rotation?

I am not sure if this is the right section to post, of not feel free to move it.

i am getting ready to prep my 2013 Coleman 27BHS for this year's first trip. I am going to break down each hub and check the bearings and brakes. My question is, should I be rotating the tires as I do on my TV? I have roughly 5000 miles on the trailer right now. Any input would help
  • tatest's avatar
    tatest
    Explorer II
    May 22, 2015
    budwich wrote:
    I have a related question about rotating tires. From the brief discussion, it appears some do, some don't. I was wondering about any "rule" about "cross rotation" (ie. from side to side), which will result in "reverse spin". With bias ply tires (ST), will this hasten failure? I have an "minor issue" with different size tires on one side (215's) versus 205's on the other (for what ever reason). One 205 is showing slight outside wear and was wondering about moving it to the other side but am concerned that the "reverse rotation" may cause undue stress on plies resulting in failure. Tires are carlisle with about 3-4 years on them and were on the used 2007 tandem axle trailer when we got it last year. We put about 12000 miles on last year and they run fine.


    Back when all tires were bias-ply, we always cross-rotated them. Early radials (Michelin, Pirelli, Dunlop) got the same cross-over rotation, but contemporary belted bias ply tires would take a directional "set" that led to roughness for the few hundred miles after being crossed to the other side.

    Most modern "radial" tires are belted bias-ply, with a very low angle (less than 5 degrees) compared to the zero degree bias of a true radial. Some of these have enough of a "set" problem that rotation practice does not usually cross from side to side, but again that is more of a NVH issue that a tire damage issue. Certain high performance tires are unidirectional, but nothing we put on trailers.
  • budwich's avatar
    budwich
    Explorer
    May 22, 2015
    I have a related question about rotating tires. From the brief discussion, it appears some do, some don't. I was wondering about any "rule" about "cross rotation" (ie. from side to side), which will result in "reverse spin". With bias ply tires (ST), will this hasten failure? I have an "minor issue" with different size tires on one side (215's) versus 205's on the other (for what ever reason). One 205 is showing slight outside wear and was wondering about moving it to the other side but am concerned that the "reverse rotation" may cause undue stress on plies resulting in failure. Tires are carlisle with about 3-4 years on them and were on the used 2007 tandem axle trailer when we got it last year. We put about 12000 miles on last year and they run fine.
  • majorgator's avatar
    majorgator
    Explorer
    Apr 07, 2015
    From years of pulling trailers of all types and sizes, I've never rotated tires. The point of rotating tires is to adjust to uneven wear due to steering, camber, toe, etc. If your trailer has a camber issue, its related to the axle or the hub. If its the axle, then it technically should be the same on other side, so rotating makes little difference. If its the hub, stop what you're doing and fix the hub. If it has a toe issue, that definitely should be fixed. Understood, though, that the OP is simply asking out of curiosity.

    Regarding the spare, I use the same spare for multiple trailers, so rotating it into the mix isn't really a good option for me.
  • JIMNLIN's avatar
    JIMNLIN
    Explorer III
    Apr 07, 2015
    I usually run the 16" LT tires on my RV trailers/other heavy GN trailers 50k-55k miles and never rotate them.
    The spare is a used 15" ST but never has rolled on the ground on this trailer.
  • WayneAt63044's avatar
    WayneAt63044
    Explorer
    Apr 07, 2015
    My current trailer does not wear the tires evenly so I do rotate them. Look at the wear pattern and the tires will tell you what needs rotated, if at all.
  • Clamon4's avatar
    Clamon4
    Explorer
    Apr 07, 2015
    Ok, I didn't think it was that big of deal to rotate either just wanted someone else's input
  • mosseater's avatar
    mosseater
    Explorer II
    Apr 07, 2015
    I do mine every so often just to keep the spare in the mix. I just go roundy round. Doesn't seem to be a big deal with x-ing or other patterns. I still have even wear.
  • Huntindog's avatar
    Huntindog
    Explorer
    Apr 07, 2015
    Clamon4 wrote:
    I am not sure if this is the right section to post, of not feel free to move it.

    i am getting ready to prep my 2013 Coleman 27BHS for this year's first trip. I am going to break down each hub and check the bearings and brakes. My question is, should I be rotating the tires as I do on my TV? I have roughly 5000 miles on the trailer right now. Any input would help


    I rotate my tires often.
    On every trip. :B

    Seriously... It isn't all that important on a TT. The wear just isn't that different between the two axles.. Assuming that there are no problems.
    And most TT tires get replaced due to age long before the tread is worn out.

    But since the tires will be off anyways... If it makes you feel good, then do it.

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