cougar axles

[richwebb]

Hi everyone, I am in need of a bit of help and information. I have a 2007 cougar. Now I haven't put new tires on the trailer since new, and that is something that will be done. Now my brother was here the other day, and said to me your tires are wearing and your both your axles are bent. (They curve up in the middle a bit) Now he's never owned a trailer before so I am not sure. My neighbour said that they are suppose have a little bit of a bow. I will post some pictures later. If you can help me out that would be great!

Thanks.

[Allworth]

Check the price on B.F. Goodrich Commercial TA (Load Range E; 80psi). probably size LT245/75R16. A good combination of price and durability.

The axles look OK but it won't hurt to have the alignment checked and you might want to get individual wheel weights to make sure they are loading evenly.

[richwebb]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I am going to take the trailer in tomorrow and get some new tires and get an alignment done. Which are the best tires to purchase? I called around today. The ones they quoted me on were 10 ply I guess (sorry, don't know the tire terminology.

Thanks.

[phillyg]

There is a pre-bend in the axles. Looks to me like you're not overloaded and you've run the tires under-inflated, thus the extra wear on the edges. As long as both edges are worn equally, you probably don't have an alignment problem. Install new tires and take the rig to a truck spring/axle shop to have the alignment checked, just in case.

[Likes_to_tow]

Yes some axles do have an upward bow in the middle. Yes the pictures you displayed would lead me to believe you have under inflated tires causing the sides to carry all the weight. It does not take long to do this. Check the sidewall of your tire for recommended inflation and stay within 5lb of that. Tires need constant tire pressure check. They will lose pressure when sitting for long periods of time.

[Bionic_Man]

My in-laws have a Cougar about that same vintage. Long story short, they ended up replacing the axles because when the trailer was loaded with water and their gear it was too much weight for the axles. Sounds like Keystone put the lightest axles possible on some of those trailers.

[rhagfo]

richwebb wrote:
Here is pic from under the trailer

Looking at the picture of this tire it looks like it is being run under inflated. Lots of tread in the center, and much less on the out side. They are D rated tires, if you can when you replace them get E rated and run at about 70 psi.
Under inflated tires will lead to an early blowout.

[fla-gypsy]

richwebb wrote:
Duro Tires:

H78-15ST
ST 225/75D15

You are on borrowed time with those tires. I had some of them once. Ditch them and get a set of Maxxis 8008D for it. The axles look OK to me from the pic. That doesn't mean they don't need to be aligned.

[goducks10]

If your underinflated then the outside and inside edges will wear faster. If just the outside edge on all are wearing faster you may have too much camber. If only one is wearing on the outside then you may have an alignment problem.
The axle should have an upward curve in the center. When a axle is over loaded the tires will be tilting in at the top. Under perfect conditions you tires unloaded will tilt slightly to the outside at the top. Then when the trailer is loaded up they should straighten out and be straight up and down.

[richwebb]

Duro Tires:

H78-15ST
ST 225/75D15

[fla-gypsy]

Tire size and brand on the trailer?

[donn0128]

Install new tires and find a heavy duty truck trailer alignment shop and have them aligned. From what i see you might have an alignment issue, but cheap ST tires are notorious for displaying abnormal wear patters.

[mike2wheels]

The axles normally have a curve to them. But it's also possible for them to be out of alignment, which will cause uneven and rapid tire wear.

[richwebb]

Here is pic from under the trailer