Tire Wear

[psford]

Friend has a Montana fifth wheel with some unusual tire wear . The outside edge on one tire on each axle has worn almost down to the cord. The two worn tires are on opposite sides from one another. The other two tires on opposite sides from each other look nearly new. You would think the wear would be on the same axle or on the same side with an alignment problem. Anyone have any ideas what could be causing this. The tires are the Goodyear Marathons

[Gib3633]

I had a Montana I purchased new in 2010. The axles bent. I replaced axles & bushings I t wasn't long till the second set bent. Montana's are too heavy for axles rated at 6750 lbs. That said save your money and take it to Mor/yde in Indiana and get your self I S suspension and disc brakes. Then buy yourself G614 Good year tires. If you take my suggestion but buy the tires first it will be painful as you will be ruining the new tires. By the way the Montana had an absolutely beautiful ride and stopping ability with the I S suspension and disc brakes. The people at Mor/yde are the finest people in my RV dealings.
For what it's worth.

[SH]

Me Again wrote:

SH wrote:
Thanks for the info BO...now the challenge is finding such a shop in my area!

Call Smiley's in Mount Vernon as a starting point. Either they can help you or will tell you who can.

18022 Washington 536, Mt Vernon, WA 98273
(360) 424-7338

Thank you!

[psford]

Me Again wrote:

SH wrote:
Thanks for the info BO...now the challenge is finding such a shop in my area!

Call Smiley's in Mount Vernon as a starting point. Either they can help you or will tell you who can.

18022 Washington 536, Mt Vernon, WA 98273
(360) 424-7338

Or if in the Salt Lake City area :

Alignment Specialists
2141 South 1260 West
Salt lake City, Ut 84119
801-972-1105

[Me_Again]

SH wrote:
Thanks for the info BO...now the challenge is finding such a shop in my area!

Call Smiley's in Mount Vernon as a starting point. Either they can help you or will tell you who can.

18022 Washington 536, Mt Vernon, WA 98273
(360) 424-7338

[SH]

Thanks for the info BO...now the challenge is finding such a shop in my area!

[B_O__Plenty]

SH wrote:
So....I have not read many posts on the Correct Track alignment system. Does anyone have this and/or have any reports on how well it does or doesn't work?

There are three aspects to aligning trailer axles. Tracking, which is how square the axles are to the frame. Toe, how much the wheels or wheel is point toward or away from the opposite wheel on the same axle. Camber, a measurement of how vertical the wheels are, tipped in at the top or tipped in at the bottom. A quality alignment will check and adjust all three of these measurements if needed.
The highly touted Correct Track system will only allow adjustment for tracking. The reasoning being as the trailer is loaded the axles will shift and become closer together on one side or the other depending on the load. A big rig alignment shop can change all of these settings by placing the trailer on a frame rack and pulling or pushing the axles into alignment. I have yet to see an RV dealer that has the proper equipment or expertise to do this. They will sell you a new axle which may or may not correctly align the wheels when installed. As a side note, new trailers are not aligned when manufactured. The axles are installed to the frame in whatever position the axle hangers are installed, some are close, some are not...

B.O.

[psford]

Heres the verdict on the axles the toe was bad on both axles. The shop he took it to said that they see several a day in the summer months they have to align. Hopefully with new tires in the spring he won't be seeing any more abnormal wear . Oh yes I advised him to try the S637 Sailun tires . His rims are rated for 110 psi so he is set there. I told him he has been lucky running around with those Goodyear Marathons, especially with the bad wear they were showing.

[bkick]

I had installed wet bolts on my trailer to correct the tire wear problem also. Still wore tires. Took apart aging for another look after about 4,000 miles. I ended up replacing the springs as the eye in each spring was found to be egg shaped. New shackles, springs and to be safe new wet bolts. Now have well over 20,000 miles on trailer with now more tire problems.

bkick

[psford]

Me Again wrote:
Maybe those two tires have ply separations on the outer ribs.

1. Quality Tires
2. Axle alignment check at a big rig truck shop.

Hard to say whats wrong, he will know in the morning. Will post the results, alignment, bent axle, whatever.

[kennethwooster]

I had one tire wearing. The other side of the axle was not wearing. Took to dealer, and discovered that when Lippert came and fixed a factory problem, they only corrected one axle. Both had been installed wrong by Lippert. They sent a factory man out to take care of a number of thrillers they had installed wrong on. After about 2 years later we discover that they chose not to finish the job. They refused to help with repairs. At least I had extended warranty, and they paid part to it. Dealer did repairs in house. One of many reasons I don't buy 5ths with Lippert frames.

[Me_Again]

Maybe those two tires have ply separations on the outer ribs.

1. Quality Tires
2. Axle alignment check at a big rig truck shop.

[SH]

So....I have not read many posts on the Correct Track alignment system. Does anyone have this and/or have any reports on how well it does or doesn't work?

[psford]

rattleNsmoke wrote:
Next time I'm in Utah.....I'll look them up. Thank you.

Called them this morning, told them the problem my friend had, no problem they do fifth wheels trailers etc. Friend called got an appointment we will see how it goes.

[SH]

rattleNsmoke wrote:
Finding an alignment shop might present a problem. I must have called 6 truck\trailer shops around southern CT and none would\could align a fixed, solid axle.

Same issue here! Lots of big rig truck shops but none will work a towable RV!