Tandem axle tire wear

[Sandybar]

Brand new tires and the inside of the rear axles tire are really wearing thin. Both tires on the inside. What would cause this?

[RPR]

Bearings or bent axle or bushings etc

[Sandybar]

Thanks.

Doing a little research but first time filling fresh water tank full and is right over the rear axle. Could this be a concern?

[RPR]

Could.

[ARoamer]

Bad axle from factory. Start a warranty claim. I went through this with only 3k miles .

Put a straight edge flat on the left and right rear tires and I'd bet it won't even touch the front one. Spindle is welded on at the wrong angle.
Make sure you get new tires also.

Water load should not make a difference.

[RedHorse1]

Originally Posted by Sandybar

Brand new tires and the inside of the rear axles tire are really wearing thin. Both tires on the inside. What would cause this?

New tires. Sounds like you have a single axle (both tires). Did the old tires have the same wear? If not then something has changed. New tires could be defective but if both exhibit the same wear I’d doubt they are the culprit. Possibly dragging brakes but I’d think that unlikely.
Springs/shackles worn/broken, maybe but I’d think it unlikely to affect both tires. Pretty much comes down to bearings or bent axle. Did you watch how the trailer was lifted? A jack lifting an axle from or near the center could bend the it which can cause the wear you describe. The bearings could also be worn causing the rapid wear but if both tires are wearing I’d think that is not the cause. Were the bearings recently serviced? A sloppy job of that could cause the problem.

Can you give some more details?

[Sandybar]

Ok here is what I know. Had trailer 5 years now. Old tires Goodyear Endurance looked great when I took them off. Just they were 5 years old and was planning on a trip to Alaska. I replaced tires with the Endurance again.

The only thing I did different this trip that I have not done in five years that I’ve owned this Whitehawk 27 DSRL is fill the fresh water tank completely full. Traveled with it full most of time. Fresh tank is over the rear axles. And extra 40 gallons of water over rear axles.

Tires on rear tandem tires are both worn on the inside and both tires are worn the same amount like twins.

Front tandem tires look like new.

[ARoamer]

Originally Posted by Sandybar

Ok here is what I know. Had trailer 5 years now. Old tires Goodyear Endurance looked great when I took them off. Just they were 5 years old and was planning on a trip to Alaska. I replaced tires with the Endurance again.

The only thing I did different this trip that I have not done in five years that I’ve owned this Whitehawk 27 DSRL is fill the fresh water tank completely full. Traveled with it full most of time. Fresh tank is over the rear axles. And extra 40 gallons of water over rear axles.

Tires on rear tandem tires are both worn on the inside and both tires are worn the same amount like twins.

Front tandem tires look like new.

I'm curious,

How many miles have you put on in the 5 years you have owned it with previous tires?
How many miles since the tire change before you noticed uneven wear?


If your bearings and suspension check out fine there are shops that do trailer axle alignment but you may have to search a bit for one. As I stated, put a straight edge on your rear tire on each side. It won't check caster or camber but will show a toe-out condition.

[Sandybar]

I put on approximately 5000 miles on old tires. And so far this Alaska trip is approximately 4000 miles so far. Got about 3000 miles to go. I’m in Tok Alaska and headed to Oregon. Nearest big town is Whitehorse 400 miles away.

[Sandybar]

I put a straight edge on them this morning and top the tires match. The bottoms is 5/8” gap outward from the front tire.

[RPR]

Did you change the tires or did a tire place do it? Was one Jack used in the center of the axle to raise the whole axle up?

[Sandybar]

Tire place did it and used 4 floor jacks

[ARoamer]

I'd guess you went through some rough roads and bent the rear one since it's cambered out at the bottom. If you are at or near max weight it may have bent the rear.

You Quote" -
Fresh tank is over the rear axles. And extra 40 gallons of water over rear axles" -

So 48 gallons in fresh tank, and another 40 gallons? = 734#

Your RV Cargo Carrying Capacity (lbs)1,460, minus water = 726# left for everything else.

You are likely overloaded, hit the scales!

[RedHorse1]

Originally Posted by Sandybar

I put a straight edge on them this morning and top the tires match. The bottoms is 5/8” gap outward from the front tire.

Ok, rear tires tilted outward compared to the fronts. This sounds like the rear axle is bent down in the center putting the inside edge at a sharper angle to the road. If you haven’t hit road debris, big bump in the road or high spot in the road I’m thinking this points to the weight of the water in the FW tank as suggested above. I’d suggest draining as much water as you think you can do without, reduce speed and search for a tire and or axle shop. At the least I’d replace the worn tires and secure 2/4 extra tires. A 5/8” difference sounds Huge.

Other posters!
What if the front axle is bent up? Some odd dynamic cause the fronts to wear normal but the rear to wear as described?

[Sandybar]

Ok I back in cell service. Axles are indeed bent. Here in Whitehorse YT and talked to a trailer axle expert. Bent beyond repair. Have new ones installed In 5 days.

Thanks for all your help.

[Murff]

Originally Posted by Sandybar

Ok I back in cell service. Axles are indeed bent. Here in Whitehorse YT and talked to a trailer axle expert. Bent beyond repair. Have new ones installed In 5 days.

Thanks for all your help.

Ouch!

Murff

[RedHorse1]

Originally Posted by Sandybar

Ok I back in cell service. Axles are indeed bent. Here in Whitehorse YT and talked to a trailer axle expert. Bent beyond repair. Have new ones installed In 5 days.

Thanks for all your help.

I’m glad you’ve gotten to the bottom of this and hope your future miles are drama free.

[Gary_Miller]

Originally Posted by Sandybar

Thanks.

Doing a little research but first time filling fresh water tank full and is right over the rear axle. Could this be a concern?

This should not have an effect on tire wear. Especially the type of wear you described. I would guess you have a bent axle since it's happening on both tires.

[GHen]

I agree, filling fresh water should not cause this. But it only takes on a couple sharp turns to bend the rear axels, when they are poor quality or underrated for what you’re hauling. Filling freshwater AND carrying lots of stuff for a long trip, you could be over weight.

My suggestion is weigh the trailer after the repairs and see how close you are to weight maximum as noted on the sticker. No sharp turns on pavement, look for pull through parking spots and gas stations.

My daughter had a similar issues, but it was covered under warranty. Dexter replaced both axels and has not had a problem since.

[ARoamer]

I believe the OP stated he was carrying 48 gallons plus another 40 gallons of fresh water. Likely overloaded.