Inside Tire Wear..... Please Help!

[PPower05]

Hi all, quick question for those who know more than I do!

We have a Salem Cruise Light 26 footer (dual axel), have taken it out approx. 5 times, put less than 1000 miles total on the trailer. Upon pulling it out for the season, I noticed that all 4 tires are wearing significantly on the insides. All axles show idenitical wear. Due to our tow vehicle, we are very aware of weight, so I know overloading is a non issue. I check my tires before every trip, before and after to insure proper inflation. Our WD hitch was set from the dealer, and both the trailer and vehicle ride level when towing. No suspension componets show any noticeable wear. Any ideas? Doing a little research, some have said that the axles where put on upside down from the factory, I have no idea how to check this. Anyone have any ideas before it goes to the dealer??
Thanks!

[BubbaChris]

The next step after taking a look yourself is to call a local place that does alignments on trucks (the big ones) and verify they also do alignments on TT's. That's the best type of professional to review your alignment/setup

[beemerphile1]

Axles are bent or it is overloaded.

[jasoncw]

Definitely check that the axles are bowed up slightly. I never noticed until I bent my rear axle, which caused the tires to wear on the insides (known issue on my TT unfortunately). I had a local truck shop install a new rear axle, and I asked him why it was bent. Apparently they are supposed to be. lol Look at it from the rear, and you should see it have a slight arch to it.

[goducks10]

Even with only 1000 miles on it I doubt overloading is the issue. Sounds like the axles are installed upside down. Also you may have only towed it 1000 miles but depending on where it's made it could've traveled significantly further when being shipped. You could have 2000-2500 miles on it.


Now another thing to consider is they put the wrong axles on. You should have a white sticker on the street side near the front of the TT showing GVWR for the axles. You then need to crawl under and look at the tag and see if the match. And while you're under there look for a crown at the top of the axles. I don't mean like a king or queen, but a bow or curve. The bow should be at the top no on the bottom.

[Bull_Rider]

EDIT:

I think what I wrote below is incorrect. If the axles were installed upside down, the wear would should show on the inside of the tires. Something to think about though.



The axles should have a visible camber where the center is the apex of the bow. It's possible that the axles were installed 180 degrees out, which would result in excessive tire wear on the outside edges.

Take a 6' straight edge under the RV and lay it along the bottom of the axles, you should see arc in the axles.

Check a friends RV for comparison.

[nomad297]

I too would suspect overloaded axles.

If the axles were out of alignment wouldn't the tires be worn on opposite sides and not all four on the inside?

Bruce

[donn0128]

I would suggest you might be over loaded. Check your loaded weight. If your under then you have either worn suspension or axles out of alignment

[the_bear_II]

The axles should Bow slightly; shouldn't be flat.

Here's a good forum thread to look at
http://www.sunlineclub.com/forums/f72/tire-wear-pattern-tandem-axle-tt-pics-where-to-look-next-9589-2.html