Boat Trailer Work?

[FishingFool]

I have a sneaking suspicion my trailer may have a bent axle. I just ordered new tires. Will be watching for any signs of odd tire wear.

Or maybe it was caused from a "loose bearing" after all. We shall see. Is there a place to do an alignment test for boat trailers?

Here is the weird tear wear.







I was told by the previous owner, he thinks it was caused by having the hub on too loose. I didn't notice the tire getting worse over the summer and fall, but I didn't drive far with it either.

[hewesfisher]

You should be able to tell by looking at the angle of your tires with the trailer loaded. Compare side to side and see if one is leaning more than the other. I know it doesn't take much to cause uneven tire wear, but IMO, that hub would have been really loose to cause that much wear. Maintain your tire pressures and keep an eye on it. :thumright

[BentRod]

FF, I had a similar problem on my travel trailer. I took it to American Frame and Alignment in Kent. It was about $100 per axle for the realignment. Fixed my tire wear problem and the trailer pulls better too. I also bought new tires and then took it to them straight away. The tires sit visibly more vertical now. Good luck.

American Frame and Alignment
911 W James St
Kent, WA 98032
(253) 854-2311

[FishingFool]

FF, I had a similar problem on my travel trailer. I took it to American Frame and Alignment in Kent. It was about $100 per axle for the realignment. Fixed my tire wear problem and the trailer pulls better too. I also bought new tires and then took it to them straight away. The tires sit visibly more vertical now. Good luck.

American Frame and Alignment
911 W James St
Kent, WA 98032
(253) 854-2311

I actually know where that is. Will check them out this week. Just did a quick search online about them and reviews are very positive.

Thanks!

[Matt]

Did you get the same wear on both tires or just on one side? I would doubt a bent axle is the culprit, likely an alignment issue causing the tires to toe in line that.

[FishingFool]

Did you get the same wear on both tires or just on one side? I would doubt a bent axle is the culprit, likely an alignment issue causing the tires to toe in line that.

The original tires are Carlisle, I assume.

The one posted in the picture, is currently mounted as a spare. My driver side, has a Carlisle. The passenger side is "TrackerMarine".

So with that, I assume it was originally the passenger side that had the weird wear pattern.

I was mainly watching that tire. But the TrackerMarine tire has a very different tread pattern. So I'm thinking it wont wear similiarly. As of right now, it just looks like it has quite a bit of negative camber wear.

I looked on the driver side with the other Carlisle, and it does have some negative camber wear, but the outside edge has a little bit of that weaving wear pattern.

I'll take some pics later of the existing tires. Looks like my new tires are on backorder..... Havent heard back from the tire shop yet.

What gets me is, I would think the tire wear would be even. Not have that weavey look to it, where every other tread bump sticks out.

[BentRod]

...

What gets me is, I would think the tire wear would be even. Not have that weavey look to it, where every other tread bump sticks out.

Cupping is usually caused by bad shocks/suspension, but is that cupping? You might check to see if the wheel is balanced. I'd haul the tire in with the trailer and have the shop check it out. They might have an idea.

FYI, when I bought new tires for my travel trailer from Les Schwab, I was told they typically don't balance trailer tires. I made sure they balanced mine.

[FishingFool]

Just got back from the alignment shop.

Good news, my axle isnt bent afterall. Well, the left side does have a little bit of negative camber. But they can't bend it back, due to the fact my axle is the "formed" version with the bend in the middle. They said it was just a little, and nothing significant. I can deal with that.

They said my tire wear is from cupping. Combo of cheap tires, not balanced, causing hopping here and there to get the weird wear. Also, 1 of the wheels has a slight bend to it.



I also found out, 1 of the power cables on my motor, is a different size than the other....

I loaded up my trailer like I would for a normal outing, so the shop could get a better look at it. I put in my 2 batteries that have 3/8" fittings. I went to hook up the motor so I could tilt it up. Put on the positive and it was fine. Tried to hook up the negative and that's when I noticed it wouldnt fit.

Last year, I used a Interstate "MEGA-TRON" battery that I could have sworn were 3/8" fittings.

It looks like the negative cable is 5/16". Strange. I plan on just using a step-bit to drill out a bigger hole instead of cutting and finding a new lug.

[Bodofish]

Different size terminals is pretty normal for marine batts. I guess for the color blind folks. The other thing to look at with your trailer is how you are towing it. The wheels are aligned for the trailer to be sitting at the correct angle. The angle normally works out to setting the frame flat or level and then setting a 1" drop to the hitch when it's on the ball. Any deviation from this up or down can put the alignment off and make the boat tow funny. If the htich is up it can make the trailer constantly seek and if you hit the right speed it can start the wonderful trailer whip.