What You Can Learn from Your Trailer Tires Treadwear
What You Can Learn from Trailer Tire Treadwear
If we tell you that the tires are the most important part of your trailer, you’d probably chuckle and think “well, of course, a company that sells tires is going to say that.” And make no mistake, tires are our business. We’re passionate about tires, we design them, and we know pretty much everything there is to know about them. That’s why the Treadwell tire experts are here now to help you identify your trailer tires’ abnormal treadwear—and interpret that wear—to save you money, to alleviate unsafe driving conditions, and to mitigate maintenance headaches. Or worse.
It's Natural for Trailer Tires Not to Wear Evenly
In a perfect world, every tire on your trailer would wear evenly. But it’s not a perfect world, and simple physics tells us that trailer tires do not and cannot wear evenly, if only because they hold different positions on the trailer and therefore endure differing stresses, as during turns for instance. But differing wear patterns on your trailer tires aren’t the topic today—rather irregular wear patterns are the topic, along with how they can be a good source of information regarding parts of your trailer that need maintenance. The key is to routinely examine your trailer tires. Once a week, every day—the fact is, you can’t check them out too often, because if any one of your tires fail, you’ve got a big problem.
Tread Depth
As you know, tread depth is the measurement from the top of the tread rubber to the bottom of the deepest grooves. Here in the U.S., tread depth is measured in 32nds of an inch, and most states have established a 2/32-inch minimum tread depth requirement, before mandatory replacement. To determine tread depth, you can use the built-in tire tread depth indicators found within the tread grooves, you can use a tread depth tool, or you can use a penny. With the penny test, place the penny with Lincoln’s head upside down into the tread groove. If you can’t see the top of Lincoln’s head, the tread is at least 2/32-inch deep at that location—the minimum. If Honest Abe’s whole head is visible, your tire is living on borrowed time, and should be replaced.
Over-Inflated Trailer Tires Lead to Irregular Center Treadwear
If your trailer tires are over-inflated, they will wear unevenly and more rapidly because the contact patch of the tire tread is not optimized to handle its duties. Overinflated tires will experience premature wear through the center of the tread so that it appears to have a smooth strip down the center, resulting from the tire is riding on the center of the tread. (You may also see this wear pattern caused by too-wide tires on too-narrow rims.)
Under-Inflated Trailer Tires Lead to Irregular Edge Wear
If your trailer tires are under-inflated, there is too much contact with the road by the outer treads, and you will likely see irregular wear on the inside and outside edges of the tire. The center of your tire tread will remain in good condition, but will be marred on both sides by premature wear. (You may also see this wear pattern caused by a bent or worn steering component, or a need for wheel alignment.)
Unbalanced Toe Alignment Leads to Feathering
Tires are “feathered” or “scuffed” when the tread ribs are more rounded on one side and sharper on the other, and the tire appears to be wearing down at an angle. This is often caused by improper toe alignment or an issue with suspension wheel bearings or ball joints. (You may also see this due to deteriorated bushings in the front suspension, causing the wheel alignment to shift.)
Out of Balance Wheels Can Cause Spotty or Patchy Wear
Patchy or spotty wear between the outside edges and center of the tread usually suggests that your wheels are out of balance, something that can also be caused by wheel lockups, skidding and uneven road conditions. Out of balance wheels tend to wobble, creating an unsafe towing environment.
Alignment Issues—and Overloading—Can Cause Camber Wear
This type of irregular treadwear makes your tire look slanted, while affecting only the inside tread or the outside tread. Excessive camber in the axle caused by overloading or alignment issues leads the wheel to lean, which results in irregular pressure on half the tire.
A Bent Axle Can Cause Excessive Inside Rib Wear
When the inside rib wears faster than the rest of the trailer tire, this usually indicates a bent axle that is often caused by overloading.
Damaged or Worn Out Suspension Parts Can Result in Cupping
Cupping cups or scalloped dips around the edge of the tread are caused by the tire bouncing on the road, that can be the result of worn, sometimes bent suspension parts—which can happen for instance when you hit a curb or pothole harshly.
The bottom line—and really the point here—is that it will pay you dividends in safety and hassle reduction if you to pay attention to your trailer tires on your travel trailer, camper trailer, RV trailer, boat trailer, any tow behind trailer, because identifying and interpreting the common types of trailer tire wear above can make the difference between getting to your destination safely and ending up on the side of the road, waiting for a tow!
When You Need Trailer Tires, Count on Treadworld
When you’re looking for new trailer tires, trailer wheels and tires, or a spare trailer tire, count on us here at Treadworld to provide you with the high-performing, long-lasting trailer tires you want, in a wide range of styles and a huge selection of sizes. All our RubberMaster Trailer Tires are manufactured to strict tolerances from top rubber compounds, then triple-tested for quality, balance and uniformity before being X-rayed to be sure they’re perfect. Easy ordering, fast shipping plus your satisfaction is guaranteed with our no-hassle Ultimate Advantage Warranty. Don’t hesitate to contact our tire experts via live chat or email with any questions you may have, and to get the ideal trailer tires —or the perfect ATV tires, UTV tires, lawn and garden tires, and many others—from our extensive selection.
