New hydraulic disc brakes excessive tire wear

[jimgram]

Last May (2017) I ditched the stock drum brakes on my 2017 North Point (377RLBH) and installed hydraulic disc brakes. I have since pulled the trailer about 3000 miles. The brakes work well but I doubt that I have the controller adjusted optimally - there is a definite delay in the actuation and I need to apply the brakes carefully - I've 'squeaked' the tire(s) half a dozen times. Yesterday, I noticed that the right forward tire is severely worn - very little tread and what may be flat spots. I guess that overall I have about 12-15,000 miles on this trailer. The right rear tire has full tread and looks like I would expect for ~15k miles. The left rear shows excessive wear but not near as much as the rt. front. The left forward show little wear. I'm going to replace all 4 tires and hope for some recommendations from you guys with experience. Also, I'm hoping to find that I over-packed the wheel-bearing grease to some extent and discover grease on the 3 less-worn tires. Otherwise, I'm at a loss to understand why there is such a variation in the tire wear. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. [Also - where is the best place to post this??]

[NewBlackDak]

My guess is that you are misaligned.


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[jimgram]

Thanks for the reply - I hadn't considered that, but since there are several items on my new North Point that are/were miss-aligned (e.g. door latch, door hinges, powered TV mount) I suppose the axles could be off as well. I'm not knowledgeable in that regard - are they even adjustable? Can I determine if they're parallel by measuring the distance between them?

[Magnolia Tom]

Jim

Have you checked the calipers to see if they are operating smoothly? Almost seems like maybe you have a stuck caliper (the left one) and when you apply the brakes, only the right one is getting pressure applied to it. Just a guess.

[jimgram]

Something wrong with the calipers is a possibility and in the next few days when I order replacement tires I'll be removing all 4 tire/wheels and can check the brake system. Later today (it's been 19 degF all morning) I'm going to photograph the tires. They're Rainier ST235/85-16 supplied by Jayco. I want to use the best (safest) tires I can find. Any reco's?

[Magnolia Tom]

I’ve been recommending Sailun S637 to everyone for a few years now. G-rated tires at half the cost of Goodyear


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[Sundancer330]

Check out the new Goodyear Endurance tire, Made in USA. I have about 6000 miles on these since purchase and they have been great. In your size its a N speed rating, Load Range E, 3.640# max load, 80 psi max.

[MadJoker TX]

Speaking of breaks, what does everyone have gain set at and what break setting are you using towing a 377?


2017 NorthPoint 377RLBH
2017 F350 FX4 DRW 6.7 PSD
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGW...jCx2yKWbNHxFpQ

[Bookemdanno]

Originally Posted by MadJoker TX

Speaking of breaks, what does everyone have gain set at and what break setting are you using towing a 377?


2017 NorthPoint 377RLBH
2017 F350 FX4 DRW 6.7 PSD
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGW...jCx2yKWbNHxFpQ

I use heavy electric set at 8. I started off at 9.5, but have had to back off...

[Magnolia Tom]

Originally Posted by MadJoker TX

Speaking of breaks, what does everyone have gain set at and what break setting are you using towing a 377?


2017 NorthPoint 377RLBH
2017 F350 FX4 DRW 6.7 PSD
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGW...jCx2yKWbNHxFpQ

You having brake issues now too? After my seals were replaced and new brake linings installed, I have my brake controller set on 7.5. My truck does not have a heavy, medium or light setting like some of the new trucks have.

[MadJoker TX]

No break issue that I am aware of yet, more curious as to setttings. I have not been able to lock the trailer brakes with the break controller since day one and i have gone up to 7 on the gain with both medium and heavy electric setting. So was wondering if I was 2 low or maybe should be using heavy break setting with 7.5-8 gain.


2017 NorthPoint 377RLBH
2017 F350 FX4 DRW 6.7 PSD
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGW...jCx2yKWbNHxFpQ

[MadJoker TX]

Originally Posted by Bookemdanno

I use heavy electric set at 8. I started off at 9.5, but have had to back off...

Can you lock the trailer breaks with that setting from the break controller?


2017 NorthPoint 377RLBH
2017 F350 FX4 DRW 6.7 PSD
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGW...jCx2yKWbNHxFpQ

[Bookemdanno]

I've only been able to "lock" them up on gravel. But they started getting real grabby (sorry only word I could think of), when I was hitting breaks...that's why I had to back it down to 8.

[MadJoker TX]

Originally Posted by Bookemdanno

I've only been able to "lock" them up on gravel. But they started getting real grabby (sorry only word I could think of), when I was hitting breaks...that's why I had to back it down to 8.

Okay, glad not only me then. I don’t really want them to lock up, but wanted to make sure I got enough break power to them. You know how drivers are, nobody wants to get stuck behind the camper so they just cut right in and had a few instances when they had to make a quick break move right after getting in front of me causing me to break hard.


2017 NorthPoint 377RLBH
2017 F350 FX4 DRW 6.7 PSD
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGW...jCx2yKWbNHxFpQ

[Bookemdanno]

Originally Posted by MadJoker TX

Okay, glad not only me then. I don’t really want them to lock up, but wanted to make sure I got enough break power to them. You know how drivers are, nobody wants to get stuck behind the camper so they just cut right in and had a few instances when they had to make a quick break move right after getting in front of me causing me to break hard.


2017 NorthPoint 377RLBH
2017 F350 FX4 DRW 6.7 PSD
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGW...jCx2yKWbNHxFpQ

For that very reason I bought a dash camera that is constantly recording!

[Magnolia Tom]

Originally Posted by Bookemdanno

For that very reason I bought a dash camera that is constantly recording!

I need to get one too. Do you have a recommendation?


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[Bookemdanno]

My wife got it from Wal-Mart for me for last Christmas. It records in 1080p to a micro-SD Card on a continual loop. It came with a 4GB SD Card (8 mins record time in 1080p) and I upgraded it to a 32 GB card I had laying around. Has the ability to record video/audio or just video only. I do video only, because I'm sure lots of colorful words will come out of my mouth and be recorded! She said she thinks she paid $15-$20.

[Magnolia Tom]

Thanks Dan.


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[MadJoker TX]

I use this one, since it has a capacitor instead of a battery. After 3 battery’s in other ones exploding because in the hot sun here, I went with one with no battery.

https://www.amazon.com/A118-C-Capaci.../dp/B00SK8B47W


2017 NorthPoint 377RLBH
2017 F350 FX4 DRW 6.7 PSD
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGW...jCx2yKWbNHxFpQ

[Bookemdanno]

Mine's not that fancy! Just plug the usb into a 12 volt supply.