travel trailer tire alignment

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Can Travel Trailer Tires Be Aligned? How To Check Alignment

Travel Trailer & 5th-Wheel Tire Alignment

The answer to “can travel trailer tires be aligned?” is, yes.

Travel trailer and 5th-wheel tires can be aligned and if you’ve traveled a lot or just gotten a new camper trailer you may want to check to see if it needs to be done.

If your camper does need some alignment done you can take it into a shop with alignment equipment or you can add a Lippert Correct Track Trailer Alignment Kit (click to view on Amazon) .

Related Product: We level our RV with the innovative Andersen RV Leveling Set (click to view on Amazon)

Table of Contents show Travel Trailer & 5th-Wheel Tire Alignment How To Check If Your Travel Trailer Or 5th-Wheel Needs Alignment How Are Travel Trailer Tires Aligned?

How To Check If Your Travel Trailer Or 5th-Wheel Needs Alignment

Irregular wear on the tires is one way to see if the alignment is off or if a bearing is loose.

If one side of a tire is being worn out faster than the other you should jack up that tire and push it in and out. If it wiggles you may have a worn bearing that is causing the uneven wear.

If the tire does not move your trailer tires may be out of alignment.

Another way to check the alignment of a dual axel trailer is to measure. Measuring properly to check trailer tire alignment requires parking your trailer on a flat surface.

Make sure the tires are fully inflated and the trailer is packed as if you are going to travel now. You want the weight distribution to be the same as if you were towing.

See Also:  Best Electric Trailer Jacks Reviewed (Tongue & A-Frame)

The tires need to be straight for measurements. Pull straight forward at least one full tire rotation so the tires aren’t slightly angled from backing or turning.

Once parked you will need to measure from the front center of your trailer to the front center of each tire. On travel trailers, most people measure from the back of the ball hitch coupler.

On a 5th-wheel you may need to hang something from the kingpin to lower the center measuring point so you can reach it with a tape measure.

A plumb bob (click to view on Amazon) is a good way to do this. Just make sure your 5th-wheel is level when you do this.

Make sure you are measuring to the same spot on each tire. You are going to be comparing the measurements from the center point to each tire on each axle.

The measurements from the center to each tire on the same axle should be within 1/8 inch of each other.

On a dual axle trailer, you can also measure the axles to make sure they are aligned with each other. Choose the same spot on each hub and measure diagonally.

If the measurements don’t line up your axles may not be aligned.

How Are Travel Trailer Tires Aligned?

If your travel trailer tires do need to be aligned you can either take it to a repair shop that has alignment equipment or use an at home trailer tire alignment kit.

If the trailer is majorly misaligned by more than a few inches I suggest taking it to a shop.

At a repair shop, they will use equipment to bend the axles back into the right position to align the tires.

If the alignment is off by less than two inches you may be able to install the Lippert Correct Track Trailer Alignment Kit (click to view on Amazon) to align the tires yourself.

See Also:  Best Travel Trailer Weight Distribution Hitches With Sway Control

Note that this kit does not move the axles. Instead, it adjusts the leaf springs. Using this kit will lift your trailer by two inches.

Some newer travel trailers and 5th-wheels are coming out of the factory with a Correct Track already installed. You may want to check to see if your camper has one already.

Have any more questions about travel trailer alignment? Leave a comment below.

6 thoughts on “Can Travel Trailer Tires Be Aligned? How To Check Alignment”

Hi my rear axle needs an alignment but front one is ok. The shop says I should do both alignments becuse they might pull the other axle out of alignment. Is that true? thanks for your answer.

I think yes.

Each axel should be aligned with the front of the trailer but they also need to parallel to each other. It’s probably wise to make sure the front one is working with the back one after getting it aligned.

Tires are often far from perfectly round – they can easily be off 1/4 or more. I would measure to some metal, fixed point at the back of the hub or end of the axle tube.

to hang a plumbob from your kingpin, use a horseshoe magnet with a hole in the center. Suspend the plumb bob through the hole and center, the magnet on the bottom of the king pin.

with a tandem axle trailer, the back axle can be misaligned by a bent, main leaf in your spring. If you suspect an alignment problem one of the first places to look, is your leaf springs.

Thanks for the advice John!

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Trailer Axle Alignment/Tire Wear Made Easy

TRAILER AXLE ALIGNMENT MADE EASY

Fix mysterious trailer tire wear problems.

Does your trailer eat tires? Are you frustrated because no one knows why? If you’ve checked all the obvious things, it’s possible the axles are out of alignment on the trailer. If you are needing to replace those tires we have a huge selection of  trailer tires & wheels  in our parts department, but first check out the alignment of your trailer to get the most out of your trailer tires.

Tools Needed

You can find the problem at home with tools you probably already have, a  tape measure  &  straightedge . For a straightedge, a good straight 2×4, or a piece of steel/pipe will all work, just make sure whatever you choose is straight by sighting down the edge. Use something about 8 feet long if you can. In these examples, we used angle iron. Hold the straightedge up against the bulge of the tire(s) as shown:

MULTI-AXLE TRAILER AXLE ALIGNMENT CHECK

In the case of a multi-axle trailer, you are looking for all of the bulges of the tires to make contact with the straightedge, or to be very close, say within 1/8″. If there are larger gaps between the bulges & the straightedge, it indicates a bent axle, a bent spindle, or a bent wheel. (Check for a bent wheel by jacking the tire off the ground and giving it a spin. If it’s bent, you’ll see it wobbling) You can sort of read those gaps to identify what the problem is.) You can also learn how to identify what is right so you don’t spend money fixing a problem that doesn’t exist. Here’s an example of using the straightedge to find a bent axle spindle just by reading the gaps between the straightedge & the bulges of the tires.

When this trailer goes down the road, it is sort of skidding that one tire, causing heat to build up & friction to wear the rubber. Friction will wear the tread down, & the heat will eventually cause the tire to de-laminate & fail causing blowout or tread separation.

Use the straightedge & a tape measure to find out if your axles are in alignment to the trailer. Here are some illustrations to teach you how to use the straightedge & tape measure to figure out why your tires may be failing due to mis-alignment of the axles.

COMMON ALIGNMENT PROBLEMS

Using the following diagrams you can determine your trailer axle alignment problem and get the proper parts to fix your trailer.

Bent Spindle

If you need trailer spindle parts, search our parts department for  trailer axle spindles .

Bent trailer axle.

Determine which axle is bent using your straightedge and tape measure.

If you need to replace or repair a trailer axle, our parts department features  trailer axle assemblies  &  trailer axle repair parts .

Bent or Out of Alignment Trailer Frame

Trailers with mis-aligned frames can cause numerous problems. Trailers that “dog track” down the highway are impossible to back up & are often mis-aligned.

Trailer axles out of alignment.

Shifted axles on a trailer is common on boat trailers because the axles are frequently attached to the frame using U-bolts that can shift during assembly, maintenance or just during everyday use. Our trailer parts department carries a variety of  trailer suspension parts  to get you fixed up & working again.

SINGLE AXLE TRAILER AXLE ALIGNMENT CHECK

The only difference here is that we aren’t comparing the alignment of the tires to each other, but we are comparing the alignment of the tire to the trailer frame to make sure it runs parallel to the frame. Use your same straightedge as before:

Measure from the straightedge to the frame in front of the wheel & record the measurement. Next measure from the straightedge to the frame in back of the wheel & compare the two measurements. Both dimensions should be the same.  Do the same on both sides of the trailer  to complete your trailer axle alignment check.

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How to align trailer tires

Tire wear and trailer alignment.

We all know trailers that are misaligned and out of spec will lead to early tire removals, a decrease in vehicle fuel economy and many unhappy drivers. Today’s trucking fleets are looking at every possible way to improve fuel economy and maximize tire performance. When it comes to their maintenance budget, trailer alignment and trailer tires are typically last on a fleet’s priority list. This is a big opportunity for commercial tire dealers to work with their customers’ trailers and help improve tire removal miles through proper alignment.

Did you hear about the study that finds you no longer have to change oil in your engines? You just change engines more often. The same analogy holds for vehicle alignment. You don’t need to check alignment, simply buy more tires and fuel.

One-sided wear is defined as excessive wear across the entire tread surface where the fastest wear is on the outside or inside shoulder rib and each of the adjacent ribs also are worn, but to a lesser extent. Excessive toe is the major cause for this tire condition.

This past April, TMC issued a Recommended Practice on trailer alignment – RP 708B  – which details the procedure on how to quickly and easily measure trailer alignment. Axle toe also is included in this document, since toe is the alignment setting that affects tire wear the greatest.

Very little equipment investment is required by a commercial tire dealer to check a trailer for alignment. A trammel bar, tape measure, kingpin extender and wheel-end extender are all that is required.

Once you have the required tools, it’s time to measure the trailer alignment. This procedure involves several steps:

• Properly position the trailer

• Set the designed kingpin height

• Check the initial axle alignment

The next alignment preparation step is to make sure you set the suspension ride height to the designed ride height, which should be listed on a vehicle placard. If not listed, contact the manufacturer for this height setting.

The last pre-alignment check is to inspect the trailer and suspension for any damaged components.

Alignment Procedure The actual trailer alignment procedure begins with proper positioning of the trailer. The trailer suspension must be in a “relaxed” state without any pre-load applied to the bushings. There are several ways to ensure there is no pre-load, depending on whether the trailer has a slider or non-slider.

Now it is time to set the front of the trailer to its designed kingpin height. This designed height should be listed on the trailer ID tag. Use a tape measure to determine the kingpin height by measuring from the ground to the kingpin mounting plate. Adjust the trailer landing legs to the designed kingpin height.

Check the initial axle alignment by using a kingpin extender or adapter, along with installing a wheel-end extender. Make sure the wheel-end extenders are a matched pair. Next, measure the length of the wheel-end extender and the axle track length. Using a tape measure, there are four additional measurements required. You need to measure the distance from the kingpin to the end of the wheel extender of the front axle for both sides of the trailer (A & B). You also need to measure the length between the center point of the two outside tires on each side of the trailer (C & D).

If the difference between the A and B measurements is smaller than or equal to the target value, the axle is within specification and no adjustment is required.

The distance between axles – from the center of one hub to the other hub center – is the C and D measurement. Use a trammel bar to measure these values. Position the trammel bar so the pointers are at the center of the front- and rear-axle spindles. These measurements should be within 1/16-inch. If they differ by more, adjust the rear axle position. The last important measurement is axle toe, which has a significant effect on alignment. Use a trammel bar to mark the tire centerline with chalk on both outside tires on the front axle. Remove the trammel bar and move the trailer backwards so the tires rotate one-half turn. Using the same trammel bar, but now from the backside of the front axle, scribe a new chalk line as before. If the toe is 0, the second line marked will be superimposed on the first line.

With a little practice and the right tools, you quickly can measure trailer alignment and help your customers optimize tire wear and fuel economy by ensuring their vehicles are rolling down the highway in a straight line.

In this article:

Can Travel Trailer Tires Be Aligned? How To Check Alignment

February 24, 2022 August 7, 2021 by Jenni

Travel Trailer & 5th-Wheel Tire Alignment

The answer to “can travel trailer tires be aligned?” is, yes.

If your camper does need some alignment done you can take it into a shop with alignment equipment or you can add a Lippert Correct Track Trailer Alignment Kit (click to view on Amazon).

Related Product: We level our RV with the innovative Andersen RV Leveling Set (click to view on Amazon)

How To Check If Your Travel Trailer Or 5th-Wheel Needs Alignment

How are travel trailer tires aligned.

Irregular wear on the tires is one way to see if the alignment is off or if a bearing is loose.

If one side of a tire is being worn out faster than the other you should jack up that tire and push it in and out. If it wiggles you may have a worn bearing that is causing the uneven wear.

If the tire does not move your trailer tires may be out of alignment.

Make sure the tires are fully inflated and the trailer is packed as if you are going to travel now. You want the weight distribution to be the same as if you were towing.

See Also: Best Electric Trailer Jacks Reviewed (Tongue & A-Frame)

The tires need to be straight for measurements. Pull straight forward at least one full tire rotation so the tires aren’t slightly angled from backing or turning.

Once parked you will need to measure from the front center of your trailer to the front center of each tire. On travel trailers, most people measure from the back of the ball hitch coupler.

On a 5th-wheel you may need to hang something from the kingpin to lower the center measuring point so you can reach it with a tape measure.

Make sure you are measuring to the same spot on each tire. You are going to be comparing the measurements from the center point to each tire on each axle.

The measurements from the center to each tire on the same axle should be within 1/8 inch of each other.

On a dual axle trailer, you can also measure the axles to make sure they are aligned with each other. Choose the same spot on each hub and measure diagonally.

If the measurements don’t line up your axles may not be aligned.

If your travel trailer tires do need to be aligned you can either take it to a repair shop that has alignment equipment or use an at home trailer tire alignment kit.

If the trailer is majorly misaligned by more than a few inches I suggest taking it to a shop.

At a repair shop, they will use equipment to bend the axles back into the right position to align the tires.

See Also: Best Travel Trailer Weight Distribution Hitches With Sway Control

Note that this kit does not move the axles. Instead, it adjusts the leaf springs. Using this kit will lift your trailer by two inches.

Some newer travel trailers and 5th-wheels are coming out of the factory with a Correct Track already installed. You may want to check to see if your camper has one already.

Have any more questions about travel trailer alignment? Leave a comment below.

Off-road trailer. Rules for driving a vehicle with an off-road trailer

When reversing, turn the steering wheel in the direction opposite to the direction the trailer is going to turn in order to maintain a straight line. Any maneuver requires special care.

When driving with an off-road trailer on OFF-RAOD, use the same obstacle avoidance techniques as without one. The main thing is that you treat the choice of the trajectory with special care. If there are some insurmountable sections on your way, it is better to either go around them or improve the terrain in advance. Remember that it is better to work with a shovel before you get stuck.

It is necessary to cross ditches, ditches, embankments and ruts, if possible, at an angle that excludes side impact of the tire, so as not to be dismantled.

Do not take into account the degree of freedom that the hitch gives, so as not to damage it, the trailer tongue or the vehicle itself.

On loose soil, trailer wheels, as well as car wheels, must be lowered to a pressure of maximum 1.5 atmospheres, but in sand or in a swamp up to 0.5 - 1 atmospheres.

You should move in the rut in the same way as usual, getting out of it, you should choose amplitude swinging prims, but you need to remember that it is much more difficult to jump out of a deep rut with a trailer, which means you need to leave the deepening rut in advance.

Off-road driving in reverse with a trailer is difficult, if you need to turn around, it is easier to unhook the trailer, turn the car separately, and then hitch it again.

Steep descents are climbed in first or second low gear to ensure maximum engine braking strictly vertically down the runoff line. The steering wheel should be kept straight, and in no case should the car be allowed to accelerate. It is also not recommended to use the brakes, because the risk of falling into an uncontrolled slip on locked wheels in a heavy road train is very high.

If you feel that the trailer starts to overtake your car, then in no case do not slow down, because otherwise the trailer will collapse by inertia, but on the contrary, gradually increase the gas to align the road train.

If the dirt road running along the slope has a side slope, then it is quite dangerous to drive on it in wet weather. At the same time, if you feel that the entire road train or trailer has begun to be pulled down the slope, then gradually increase the speed to align the entire hitch.

When returning to the asphalt, check the hitch, clean the trailer wheels from dirt and do not forget to inflate the tires to road pressure.

documents, categories of rights, traffic rules and fines, whether technical inspection and insurance are needed

Eduard Solodin

drives a car with a trailer

Author profile

I will tell you how to equip a passenger car with a towbar, what documents you need to carry with you, how to properly distribute the load and what are the features in driving a car with a trailer. In addition, let me remind you of the rules for transporting a trailer and penalties for those who violate them.

What is a trailer and why is it needed

A trailer is a vehicle without an engine that can carry goods. Trailers are popular with summer residents during the harvest, they are used when moving, building and repairing. You can load bulky items into the trailer that do not fit in the interior and trunk of the car, and not worry that they will damage the plastic trim or seat upholstery.

How much does it cost to maintain a motorhome

Towbar: how to choose, what to buy and how to install it

to the car frame at the back. Officially, it is called a towing device, hitch. A towbar, unlike a trailer, is not a universal device: it must be selected for a specific car model.

Tow bar may be standard from the factory. If not, you can buy the original one as an accessory. For some cars, you have to look for a non-original towbar - before buying, make sure that it has a certificate of conformity. Sometimes, when installing a non-original hitch, you have to file the bumper.

/prava/supercar/

Rights if you buy a car

Sometimes an additional matching unit is needed - a set of relays, without which the on-board network of a car with a new towbar may not work correctly. Here are examples of troubles:

• turn signals flash too fast;
• the on-board computer shows a towbar error, due to which the car refuses to drive with a trailer;
• The car's on-board network is overloaded, some fuse blows periodically, for example, the one that is responsible for the brake lights.

How to install a tow bar. In my case, it is enough to fasten it with connecting bolts to the standard holes on the rear side members. The bumper does not need to be removed or cut.

The most difficult part is the electrics. To connect the device, you need to remove the trunk trim and gain access to the car's wiring. I don’t understand this at all, so I decided to trust a specialist. He measured the voltage and confirmed that in my case, the matching block was not needed.

The price of work was varied in the range of 4000-8000 R. My butt was set for 1,500 r, and the electric part was connected for 2500 r.

I paid for the installation of the dynate and connect it to the car wiring

What a light trailer consists of . The frame is spars and crossbeams welded together. A body is attached to it - a frame made of metal or wooden sides. The tailgate, as a rule, folds down to facilitate loading and unloading. If the frame is covered with an awning, then the trailer is called covered. Such a trailer can be left on the street and not worry that it will be flooded with water.

At the front of the trailer there is a drawbar - a triangular welded structure that is attached to the towbar. Some trailer models have a support wheel on the drawbar. It lowers and rises with the help of a handle and makes it easier to dock the trailer with the hitch. At the end of the drawbar there is a hitch. Usually this is a “cup”, which is put on the towbar ball and fixed with a lever.

Types of trailers for cars

Flatbed trailers are needed for the transportation of goods and small equipment. They have a square or rectangular floor with low sides. This is the most common option.

/kater-perm/

How much does it cost to keep a boat in Perm? They do not have sides, and the frame is equipped with skids or rollers along which the watercraft moves. To make it easier to load and unload a boat trailer, use a winch.

Trailers are also divided into light and heavy trailers. Trailers are considered light if their maximum permitted weight is not more than 750 kilograms. It includes the weight of the trailer itself - the curb weight - and the weight of the load. Such a trailer does not have separate brakes: the tractor to which it is attached slows down and stops.

What documents are needed for a towbar and a light trailer in 2022

Vehicle passport is a document containing information about the trailer and its owner. From the PTS, you can find out, for example, the VIN of the trailer, the maximum permitted weight, year of manufacture and color. A title is issued upon purchase of a new trailer; when the owner changes, changes are made to it.

A license plate for a trailer is issued together with a certificate of registration with the traffic police. If the trailer does not belong to the driver and traffic cameras record a violation according to the trailer's license plate number, then the fine will go to its owner, not the driver. State duty for the issuance of registration plates - 1500 RUR, when issued through public services - 1050 RUR.

/guide/auto-registration/

How to register a car with the traffic police

Driving license for trailer transportation. For trailers with a maximum authorized weight of up to 750 kilograms, special rights are not needed, category B will do. If the trailer's carrying capacity is more than 750 kilograms, category BE rights are required for transportation. Such trailers when loaded may exceed the mass of the car itself: for example, a caravan trailer.

So what? 04/12/22

5 important changes in the OSAGO rules from October 1, 2022

Inspection. If the trailer belongs to an individual and its mass does not exceed 3.5 tons, then it is not necessary to undergo a technical inspection and receive a diagnostic card.

Docking a towbar and a trailer

Before the first coupling of the towbar and the trailer, the ball must be lubricated with grease, lithol or similar grease. So that later the ball does not stain clothes and dust and dirt do not settle on the lubricant, it is covered with a special cap.

To dock a car and a trailer, you need to bring the cup of the trailer hitch so that it is located above the tow ball. If the trailer is equipped with a support wheel, then by turning the handle, you can lower the cup onto the ball and fix the connection. The undocking must be done on level ground so that the trailer does not move forward and damage the rear bumper of the car.

If somehow the cup comes off the ball, the trailer will hold the safety chain, which is additionally attached to the hitch. For this, there are holes for the bolt and nut, on which the chain is fixed. If it is not there, it is forbidden to drive with a trailer.

What not to do with car headlights and lamps: 7 mistakes of drivers

Features of trailer operation

The trailer's operating manual or information plate indicates the permissible load. The tow ball usually accounts for 10% of the trailer's load capacity, that is, 30-90 kg. There are scales on the support wheels of some trailers, but in practice you have to check the load yourself. To do this, you need to try to raise the drawbar of the uncoupled loaded trailer with your hands and roughly estimate the load.

If a grown man is unable to raise the drawbar, the front of the trailer is overloaded. In this case, the load on the towbar ball and the rear axle of the car increases. A trailer overloaded at the front will tend to lift the front axle of the car, which can cause it to lose traction in an emergency.

Handling. Vehicle with trailer becomes less manoeuvrable. The hardest thing to get used to is how the trailer behaves when driving backwards. Usually, the rear of the car, when the steering wheel is turned to the right, goes to the left, but with a trailer, the opposite is true. You need to turn the steering wheel in the direction where you want to direct the trailer. If you turn the steering wheel too far and continue driving, the trailer may fold and damage the rear bumper.

/guide/wheel-drive/

Which drive to choose: RWD, FWD, 4WD or AWD

When accelerating, a trailer with a high tarpaulin or tailgate of an open trailer creates windage, so the vehicle accelerates more slowly. This is important to take into account when overtaking. A loaded trailer, when braking by inertia, pushes the car forward, so you have to brake more intensively and keep a distance twice as long as usual.

With a trailer, do not accelerate and brake abruptly. Movements should be as smooth as possible - as when towing another car. When turning, you do not need to brake, as this can fold the trailer or tip it over. You should slow down before turning, and after passing the middle, add a little gas. If the trailer sways, the driver will most likely want to slow down, but this is not worth doing: things can get worse and the trailer will collapse. Therefore, you need to accelerate to level the trailer. Of course, if traffic conditions permit.

/guide/buksir/

How to tow a car correctly

Spending. Fuel consumption when driving with a trailer depends on many factors: the shape of the trailer, the presence of a tarpaulin, wind speed and direction, driving style and terrain. Even the dimensions of the tractor matter. For example, if an SUV pulls a trailer that does not exceed its height, then the aerodynamic drag will be less.

Fuel consumption when driving with a trailer increases from 10 to 50%. For example, if the consumption on the highway without a trailer is 8 liters per 100 kilometers, then with it it will be 10 liters per 100 kilometers - 25% more.

/guide/fuel-economy/

How to save on gasoline

How to drive a vehicle with a trailer

The speed of a vehicle with a trailer outside built-up areas must be reduced by 20 km/h. On highways, the maximum speed is 90 km/h, on country roads — 70 km/h. In populated areas, the speed may be the same as without a trailer.

Marker lights on the trailer must be lit at night, in poor visibility and in the tunnel. If the trailer is hard to see on the road, it can lead to an accident. Penalty for non-working marker lights - 500 R.

Part 1 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation

Part 2 Art. 12.23 Administrative Code of the Russian Federation

Penalties for driving with a trailer without documents. If the trailer is not registered with the traffic police and 10 days have passed since its purchase, a fine from 500 to 800 RUR is provided. For a repeated violation, the fine increases to 5000 RUR or you can lose your rights for 1-3 months. If the trailer is registered, but the driver did not have any documents with him, then he will receive a warning or a fine of 500 R. The trailer can also be evacuated to a parking lot.

Art. 12.1, part 1 of Art. 12.3, part 1 of Art. 27.13 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation

• In order not to have to make changes to the design of the car, buy a tow hitch - a tow bar - with a certificate of conformity and install it in certified centers.
• For trailers with a carrying capacity of up to 750 kg, category B license is sufficient.
• When loading a trailer, it is important to evenly distribute the load so that the center of gravity falls on the axle.
• An overloaded front or rear of the trailer will affect handling and driving safety.
• A car with a trailer maneuvers worse, it needs more space for changing lanes, parking and a larger turning radius.
• Drive a car with a trailer smoothly, avoid sudden braking and turning.
• Driving with a trailer increases fuel consumption, which depends on many factors.

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Can Travel Trailer Tires be Aligned?

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Thank you for reading our post, please rate this article at the end.

Last Updated on November 13, 2023 by Paul Clayton

Table of Contents

Yes, Travel Trailer Tires can be aligned. Proper alignment is an essential maintenance task for all types of vehicles, including travel trailers.

Misaligned tires can cause numerous problems such as uneven tire wear, poor fuel economy, and compromised handling of the vehicle. For travel trailers , it is particularly crucial as it affects the balance and stability during transit.

Therefore, regular checks and adjustments should be made to ensure that the tires are properly aligned. This will not only enhance the performance and safety of your travel trailer but also extend the lifespan of the tires.

Out-of-alignment tires on RVs result in early tire purchases, uneven tire wear, strain on suspension components, and decreased vehicle fuel efficiency . Big deal if you have ever priced Class A tires.

Correct travel trailer wheel alignment is an essential part of RV maintenance as it will maximize the tire’s life and boost your trailer’s fuel economy.

So, can travel trailer tires be aligned ? Yes, travel trailers can be aligned, and absolutely should be aligned every 2 – 4 years.  Expect to pay around $250+ for a professional to do the job, or you can do it yourself assuming you have the tools to do so.

What Causes Wheel Alignment Problems in Trailers?

These specific scenarios can lead to wheel alignment problems in your travel trailer:

• Worn-out or damaged leaf spring
• Bent or distorted wheel rim
• Or a low pressure in a tire

The other thing is, your camper’s front axle must be aligned in a static position. Moreover, the axle should be aligned perpendicularly to the trailer’s frame. 

Due to this, your camper’s wheel will be in an optimum position with the road’s surface. However, a minor deviation in the front axle can instantly notify you of the apparent effects when you will drive your trailer.   

In several cases, you only have to adjust or replace the defective part to fix your problem. 

How Will I Know That I Need Wheel Alignment?

The sign of wheel misalignment is when your trailer weaves, pulls or drifts to one side. Similarly, your steering wheel might become off-center while you are driving straight. 

Furthermore, your trailer’s tire alignment is vital to prevent trailer damage and for safe towing of cargo.

Can You Align Your Travel Trailer Tires?

If your trailer’s tires are not aligned, you can easily do it yourself or seek professional help. Follow these courses of action to align your camper’s wheels.

You will need the following items:

• Fishing sinker
• Trailer’s manual
• Four axle extension tubes
• A tape measure

Assess Trailer’s Tires

With your automobile’s hitch , join your trailer’s tongue. Make sure to park your camper on a leveled road or a surface. If necessary, you can lower your rig tongue jack stand to level your camper. 

Now at the fishing line’s end, fix your fishing sinker (it will act as a plumb line). You will find threads at the bottom of your automobile’s hitch, tie your fishing line there. This will make your fishing sinker hang.

Ensure that your fishing sinker and line hang right below the middle point of a trailer tongue coupler. Hence, it will allow the plumb line to assess your tire alignment quickly.

If necessary, you can remove the center or hub caps from your trailer’s wheels. Now on trailer tires, screw the axle extension tube to its center spindle. 

Spindles are the trailer axle and wheel assembly’s innermost part that provide a surface for wheel bearings and allow wheel caps to rotate – a little insight for the novice in screwing axle tubes. 

With the help of an inch of tape, measure the distance of axle extension tube tips of the right and left wheel to the plumb line, and note it down. 

Compare these distances, and if the difference in the measurements exceeds ⅛-inch, it means that your trailer tires are misaligned. 

Moreover, measure the distance of the rear and anterior wheel, and note it down. Compare these distances, and if the difference in the measurements exceeds ⅛-inch, your rearmost axle is not aligned with your trailer’s front axle. 

It’s Time To Align The Tires

Check the leaf springs as they are the suspension for vehicles that protect and suspend the axles. 

Furthermore, if you find cracks or loose retainer brackets or U-bolts (these are the parts that hold up the leaf spring to an axle), replace them. 

If rear and front shackle brackets are bent or cracked, replace them as well. It is necessary to change worn-out shackle brackets because they secure the ends of the leaf springs to an undercarriage. 

Moreover, if a leaf spring cracks, twist, or sag, upgrade or renew it. 

If your trailer does not have any problems discussed in Step 1, you should examine your camper’s tire conditions. 

Check if the tire has a bent rim, worn treads, or low pressure because these problematic conditions will interfere while you drive your trailer.

A bent tire rim may need an expert’s attention, and it depends on the severity of the damage. Sometimes, it might need replacement. 

Should you balance travel trailer tires?

Balancing travel trailer tires is a significant aspect of routine maintenance that should not be overlooked. Irrespective of whether you’re planning a short weekend trip or a cross-country journey, the question, “Should you balance travel trailer tires?” is undeniably important.

Unbalanced tires can lead to several problems, such as uneven tire wear, poor fuel efficiency, and diminished driving performance.

Therefore, to ensure the safety, longevity of the tires, and optimal performance of the trailer, it is crucial to balance travel trailer tires regularly. This practice will ensure smooth travel and prevent potentially costly repairs in the future.

Are trailer tires supposed to wobble?

No, trailer tires are not supposed to wobble. A wobbling tire on a trailer is a clear indication of a potential issue that needs immediate attention.

Such an issue could range from a simple tire imbalance to more serious ones like damaged bearings or a bent axle. The bearings need to be serviced or changed if the wheels are loose or wobble. As you tow your trailer past at a speed of around 25 mph, have someone listen for sounds from both the driver’s side and the curbside.

Safety on the road is paramount; thus, any wobbling should be checked and rectified by a professional mechanic promptly to ensure the safety of the driver and other road users.

Should I Buy Special Trailer Wheels for My Camper?

You can experience some wear in a suspension component, and it can also be a symptom of axle misalignment. 

Sometimes tire wear usually happens when you overload your trailer; therefore, take a look to see if the axle has been flipped or not. 

When you carry heavy loads in a trailer, the bow supports a little bit of the weight, whereas, the axles will straighten out to let your tires run evenly. This causes the tires to wear out quickly. 

Therefore, you must opt for special trailer tires (ST). Non-trailer wheels are built for vehicles that carry passengers. In contrast, ST wheels are designed to carry heavy loads present in a travel trailer. 

If we talk about its structure, STs have solid and straight ribs – these are durable rubber circumferential bands parted by grooves. Therefore, this feature makes ST tires suitable to bear heavy loads. 

Moreover, ST has 10% more carrying capacity than the light truck (LT) wheels. The ST tires have stiff sidewalls for controlled swaying and better stability.  

Since carrying heavy loads generates substantial tire heat, the shallow groove design in special trailer wheels helps these tires remain cool and improves fuel economy.

Contrastingly non-trailer wheels have deeper grooves and ample voids. These tires often have jagged and non-continuous ribs.         

How Does Wheel Alignment Benefit You?

To obtain maximum benefit, always check your trailer’s four wheels for alignment. Several benefits of wheel alignment are as follows:

• It increases your trailer’s safety as you can drive straight on the road.
• It prevents tire wear.
• Reduced tire wear means it prolongs the tire’s life expectancy and lowers operating costs.
• It reduces fuel consumption due to lower rolling resistance. Also, it reduces the trailer’s drag and enhances fuel efficiency. 
• It reduces stress on your trailer’s suspension components; hence, it prevents costly repairs. 

Misaligned tires mean you have to struggle with your steering wheel while driving straight on the road. After aligning them, they significantly reduce the driver’s fatigue. 

A trailer’s fuel efficiency, performance, tire replacement cost, and trailer drags or bounces on the road are the paramount effects of misaligned tires that you should cater to immediately.

Wrapping Up

Yes, travel trailer tires can be aligned. But do you really care?

Travel trailer tires can indeed be aligned, and it’s an essential aspect of regular maintenance for any travel trailer owner to consider.

Proper alignment of travel trailer tires ensures the vehicle’s optimal performance, increases the lifespan of the tires, and enhances overall road safety. Misaligned tires can lead to uneven tire wear, poor handling, and decreased fuel efficiency.

Moreover, issues such as pulling to one side or steering wheel vibrations may also occur if the alignment is off, which can make driving more challenging and potentially unsafe.

To maintain proper alignment, it’s recommended that travel trailer owners have their vehicle’s tire alignment checked at least once a year or every 12,000 miles by a professional service. This is especially important after any incidents that could potentially disrupt alignment, such as hitting a pothole or curb.

Not only can Travel Trailer Tires be Aligned, but they should be regularly for optimal performance and safety.

Many RVers don’t pay attention to the trailer’s wheel and axle, their alignment, to be precise. And there’s no rocket science involved. 

All you need is to take a closer look at your trailer’s wheel. If you see plenty of wear outside the tread, this can become a problem worth addressing before you hit the road. 

You wouldn’t want to ruin your wonderful family RV trip and pay for something out of your pocket that wasn’t planned. 

So, make a habit of inspecting your travel trailer tires for alignment problems, and unusual wear, and check tire pressure. This would prevent many unanticipated obstacles during your road trip.

Be smart, be safe!

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The Savvy Campers

How To Check Travel Trailer Axle Alignment for a Safe and Smooth Ride

A travel trailer is an excellent way to travel the world without needing to pay for expensive hotels along the way. However, travel trailers do require maintenance. So, let’s talk about how to check the alignment. 

Travel trailer wheel alignment can be checked by inspecting the tires for equal wear and tear on the treads. Another way to check the alignment is to measure it from wheel to wheel. Make sure you measure your tire alignment when the tires are full of air to get the most accurate reading. 

Let’s get into more detail about checking the tire alignment on your travel trailer. 

1. Check the Tires

One of the fastest ways to get a good idea of your travel trailer’s alignment is to check the tires. If you notice uneven wear and tear on your trailer tires, they may be out of alignment. Not having your trailer properly aligned can make tires look really worn on one side and not on the other. 

If you notice that your tires are very worn on one side but not the other, that is a good sign they are out of alignment, and you need to adjust them. The only problem is that other issues can also cause disparate wear on your tires. So, it can be difficult to determine what really caused the issue. 

Your tires can wear out unevenly if you often carry loads in your trailer and don’t distribute the weight equally across both sides. This is what makes weight distribution when loading a travel trailer so vital in the longevity of your trailer tires. 

Tires can also wear out at different rates if you do not keep them properly filled with air when you fill the trailer. Trailer tires have an air pressure requirement for certain weights. So, make sure you fill your trailer tires before considering the alignment. If your tires are constantly losing air, it may be time to replace them.

To learn more about buying tires for your travel trailer, check out my article on the subject here . 

2. Measuring the Alignment

You can measure the alignment yourself if you have the right tools. The easiest way to do this is to find a two-by-four that is about the same length as the trailer. For this measurement to be accurate, you need to ensure the lumber you use is completely straight . You can measure this with a level or eyeball it, depending on your experience level. 

Once you know for sure that the wood is level, make sure you fill your tires to the recommended PSI. This is important because having different tire pressure levels can make them sit unevenly and create an invalid reading. This can cause your trailer to be out of alignment if your tire PSI is uneven . 

Now that your wood is even and your tires are at the same PSI level, you can start measuring. Hold the wood against both tires on one side of the trailer. You may need another person to help you with this. 

If your trailer alignment is correct, you should be able to place the wood against the tires and have it fully contact both of them . If the piece of wood is straight and unable to sit flat against both tires, then you have an alignment problem. 

To get an accurate reading, make sure your trailer is on a flat surface. The best place to do this is a garage, as you are more likely to have a level surface there than on a road or driveway. If you are struggling to fit your trailer into your garage, consider removing the door to give you more room.

3. Buy an Alignment Reader

If you want to avoid worrying about the alignment of your travel trailer, you may want to invest in an alignment reader. This can help you measure your own alignment anytime you feel like anything is off with your trailer. 

The Tenhulzen Automotive Wheel Alignment Tool , available on Amazon.com, is a little expensive, but it can help give you an alignment reading whenever you need it. This can save you money over time as you no longer have to take your trailer to a mechanic for alignments. 

While this tool is helpful and convenient, it takes a lot of patience and accuracy to get it right. So, you may want to measure the alignment a couple of times to ensure you get an accurate reading before you start worrying. Also, be sure to take your time and read the directions carefully when checking your alignment. 

4. Take It to a Mechanic

If the above methods did not work for you, you may want to visit a mechanic to check the alignment. With these DIY methods, hopefully, you won’t need to involve a mechanic. However, you may want to consult with one if you are unable to get an accurate reading using any of these methods. 

Final Thoughts

Having a travel trailer out of alignment can be concerning, especially if you often carry heavy loads on the road with you. So, you should use these methods regularly to ensure that your trailer is properly in alignment. Mechanics recommend you check your alignment around every 10,000 miles (16093.44 km) or if concerns arise.

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Venture Trailers

Tire wear trouble shooting.

There are several reasons why your tires could be wearing.  To name a few of the most common reasons:

Your tires are underinflated.

The outside treads will be worn as there is too much contact with the road by the outer treads, which wear prematurely. Always check your tire PSI to make sure it matches the recommended PSI on your VIN sticker or Tire Identification sticker. The recommended PSI can also be found on the side wall of the tire.

Your tires are overinflated.

The center treads will be worn as the tire is riding on the center of the tread and wearing it prematurely.  Always check your tire PSI to make sure it matches the recommended PSI on your VIN sticker or Tire Identification sticker. The recommended PSI can also be found on the side wall of the tire.

You are overloading your tires.

If the weight you are towing exceeds the capacity of your trailer you are overloading your tires as well. The inside tread will wear faster than the rest of the tread on the tire. You can have your boat and trailer weighed at a scale to make sure you are not overloading your trailer.  To determine the weight of your trailer versus the weight of your boat once you have it scaled you will need to figure out the empty weight of your trailer. To do this, refer to the VIN sticker on the frame of  your trailer. The GVWR is the empty weight of the trailer plus the capacity that the trailer is rated for (also known as the MAX GVCC ).

For example, if you have a VATB-5225 with a VIN sticker that states the GVWR is 6175lbs. The MAX GVCC is 5225lbs. Therefore, by doing simple math, you can figure out what the empty weight of the trailer is by taking the GVWR – MAX GVCC = empty weight of the trailer. In the example of the VATB-5225, the GVWR is 6175lbs. Minus the MAX GVCC of 5225lbs equals 950lbs empty weight.

You have bent suspension parts.

In this scenario, the tire will have cups or scalloped dips around the edge of the tread on one side or the other. This usually indicates you have worn or bent suspension parts that connect the wheel to the trailer such as bearings, springs, bushings, etc.  Inspect the suspension parts on your trailer for wear or bent items.

Your axle is out of alignment.

The treads have a condition called feathering. Feathering is a condition when the edge of each tread rib develops a slightly rounded edge on one side and a sharp edge on the other. By running your hand over the trailer tire, you can usually feel the sharper edges before you'll be able to see them. Use the forms below to check your alignment.

Here are three helpful tools for checking your alignment based on if you have a single axle, tandem axle or triple axle spring trailer.

Single Axle Tire Wear Trouble Shooting

Tandem Axle Tire Wear Trouble Shooting

Triple Axle Tire Wear Trouble Shooting

Here is a visual chart showing different types of tire wear for your reference.

Unaligned trailer axles is often the cause of uneven tire wear. Use the tools linked above for checking your alignment based on if you have a single axle, tandem axle or triple axle spring trailer.

Proper axle alignment is a vital part of trailer maintenance. Unaligned trailer axles is often the cause of uneven tire wear and suspension component strain.

To properly align the suspensions make sure the trailer is unloaded. Free the suspension of any “binds” by first pushing the trailer backwards and then pulling it forward a sufficient distance. Check axle alignment with the trailer on a level surface with the trailer level both side to side and front to back, with tires properly inflated, trailer securely restrained.

Use the tools linked above for checking your alignment based on if you have a single axle, tandem axle or triple axle spring trailer.

5 Tips To Check Trailer Axle Alignment

• March 1, 2022

In the first place, what exactly is the significance of a Trailer axle? Axles are the main shafts that allow a wheel or gear to rotate. They are made of steel. Trailer axles in poor condition or neglected axles can be extremely dangerous.

                           Image Source:    https://bit.ly/36EkSc3

For rotation, the trailer axles are directly connected to the wheels. Furthermore, an axle may be attached to the vehicle, allowing its wheels to rotate around it.

Even in a standard light trailer, the trailer torsion axles  must function properly for the vehicle to move.

Unattended, built-up trailer axle kit can cause your trailer’s tires to pop out unexpectedly while driving, which can be dangerous. Consider the scenario in which you are traveling at a high rate of speed on the highway, and your axle fails.

The outcome may be disastrous. Increase the likelihood of something as critical as your axles going unmaintained by ten. Unchecked 3500 ~ 7000 lb axles on your trailer can put you and your passengers in danger.

A thorough examination of the features available for moving 5200 lb trailer axle can yield a long-term solution that will provide greater protection, long service life, and a higher return on capital investment.

Importance Of Checking Trailer Axle Alignment

1. Tips To Align Trailer Axle

2. alignment area, 3. inspection, 4. trailer ride height, 5. toe length.

One item that is frequently overlooked – and one that can harm the tracking and cornering, as well as the life of the tires – is the alignment of the axle (s).

                              Image Source:    https://bit.ly/3Mff6xR

It is critical to have accurate wheel alignment or proper suspension geometry in your tow vehicle because it impacts the vehicle’s stability and handling. Especially how long its tires will last.

For the suspension layout to work properly, the castor, camber (whether favorable or unfavorable), and toe-in/tow-out must all be set up as designed for the specific suspension layout. It would help if you considered the roll-axes and instant centers as the wheels/tires move up and down.

Controlling the essential handling qualities of the tow vehicle – oversteer/understeer vs. cornering force – is accomplished by adjusting the front and rear axle weights, spring rates, anti-roll-bar rates, and the bump/rebound settings of the suspension.

When a vehicle’s maximum maneuvering ability is exceeded, the vehicle is inherently designed to ‘plow’ off the road rather than spin off the road.

Changing one of these components, such as stiffening the rear springs, can result in dangerous and unexpected changes in the large tow truck’s handling. It is possible that towing a heavy, high-inertia oscillatory trailer or caravan will exacerbate this situation seriously and unpredictably.

It is also critical for caravans and camper-trailers to be properly aligned, regardless of whether they are equipped with independent suspension or a non-independent (solid-axle) suspension system.

Identify the suitable alignment area from the drop-down menu. This location should be flat, level, and free of any debris. You should check the tires to ensure that each dual wheelset is still within 3/4-inch of one another in circumference size.

Using new tires in conjunction with worn tires will result in unreliable data. The pressure in all of the tires should be the same.

Example: If the trailer does not have sliding doors, alter the trailer’s landing legs to ensure sufficient ground headroom while the trailer is still connected to the tractor.

After that, gently press the trailer service brakes after pulling the trailer forward at least ten feet in either direction. Reduce the height of the trailer landing legs now. Disconnect the trailer from the vehicle. Maintain disengagement of the trailer parking brakes.

It is now necessary to raise the front of the trailer to the height specified by the manufacturer. This intended height should be noted on the trailer’s identification tag.

Measure the distance between the ground and the kingpin mounting plate with a tape measure to determine the height of the kingpin. Adjust the height of the landing legs trailer to the specified kingpin mark.

Confirm the original axle orientation by installing a kingpin extender or adapter and a wheel-end extender, and then check the alignment again. Check that the wheel-end extenders are a perfect pair before using them.

Following that, take measurements of the wheel-end extension and the length of the axle track. With the help of a tape measure, four separate measurements must be taken.

To properly size the trailer, you must first measure the distance between the kingpin and the end of the wheel extender on the front axle on both flanks of the trailer (A & B).

You’ll also need to measure the distance between the center points of the two external wheels on each side of the trailer to ensure that the trailer is level (C & D).

The front axle target distance (A & B measurement) varies depending on the length of the wheel-end extender and the spacing of the axle track.

The range is +/- 3/16-inch to +/- 7/32-inch depending on the length of the wheel-end extender and the width of the axle track.

This indicates that the trailer axle is within specification and that no adjustment is required.

If there is a difference between the A-B measurements less than or equal to a target value, the axle is out of configuration, and no changes should be made.

The C and D measurements refer to the distance between the axles, measured from the center of one hub to the center of the other hub. To determine these values, a trammel bar should be used.

Assemble the trammel bar by aligning the pointers so that they are in the center of the front and rear axle spindles, respectively. 

These measured values should be accurate to one-sixteenth of an inch. If the distance between them is greater, the rear axle position should be adjusted. 

The ride height is the spacing between the midpoint of the axle and the base of the sub-frame. If it’s a slider crate, the bottom of the crate is the starting point. If it’s a regular trailer flatbed, the bottom frame will be the most vulnerable.

The quickest and most accurate method is to measure from the suspension-mounting surface to the top of the axle. And then, once you’ve determined the diameter of the axle, you can subtract the difference.

Using a tape measure, it is measured from the bottom of the trailer’s subframe up to the top of the axle if it has a five-inch diameter.

Take that measurement and multiply it by 2.5 inches to get the trailer ride height. A description tag is present on all suspensions, and this tag will inform you of the ride height of that particular suspension.

The ride height must be set correctly because you want the suspension to have the max number of jounce, which is up transportation, and rebound, which is down traveling.

What could go wrong if the ride height is not set correctly? We may have air-spring damage. Shock absorbers are susceptible to becoming overextended. The sub-frame of the trailer is the most severely damaged.

The final and most important measurement is the axle toe, which has a massive effect on the vehicle’s alignment.

Trace the tire centerline with chalk on both external tires on the front axle using a trammel bar and a chalk pen. Remove the trammel bar and tilt the trailer backward so that the tires rotate one-fifth turn on their own.

Using the same trammel bar as before, but this time starting from the backside of the front axle, scribe a new chalk line in the same manner as before. As soon as the toe reaches zero, the second line marked will be overlaid on the first line marked.

If the two written lines are not superimposed, the spacing between them corresponds to the amount of toe-in or toe-out.

An axle with excessive toe makes it impossible to align the axle to achieve acceptable tire wear.

A bent trailer spindle usually causes an excessive toe due to an impact. The option to adjust the toe on a trailer is to bend the axle, which the manufacturers of trailer axles do not suggest. 

Using a little practice and the right tools, you can quickly determine trailer alignment, allowing you to in maximizing tire wear and fuel economy by ensuring that their trucks are moving down the highway in a straight line. If the trailer axle bend seriously, you’d better replacing the trailer axle .

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Best Places for RV Tires And Alignment

By Whoachubby , February 13, 2012 in Chassis

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Whoachubby   .

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I have a 36 foot Discovery and noticed that the front tires are cupped on the outside of each tire.

A little research on the net and it seems that this condition suggests that the camber is out of adjustment. Where is the best place for alignment ? A regular Firestone type store or a truck dealer. Ideally it would be somewhere that I could buy new tires if need be.

By the way I just put the steer safe brackets on the coach prior to a 500 mile trip. I noticed the tires after the trip and hadn't really noticed the cupping before. could the steer safe have affected the tire wear?

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Link to post, share on other sites, wolfe10   .

Front-end alignment out of camber is very unusual on a solid front axle (assuming that is what you have) and rarely causes cupping.

And you may be looking for two DIFFERENT stores -- a tire dealer who works with OTR trucks and diesel pushers and a front end alignment shop who does the same. Yes, there are some who do both.

But, you will need to let us know what area of the country you are in so we may be able to recommend specific shops.

The edge of the front tires are smooth with dips all around.

It is a solid axle . Any idea what would cause this type of wear.

All other parts of tires are great.

The motorhome is currently In south Louisiana.

hermanmullins   

Well no wonder. Alligators tend to do that to tires.

Brett is correct, You would have to have had a very hard hit to your front end to create a camber problem. If your solid axle camber was the cause, your tires would be worn evenly all the way around your tire. Camber would cause the wheel to be leaning either in or out. Leaning in at the top would cause the tire to wear on the inside and out at the top would cause the tire to wear on the outside of the tread.

Cupping would come from Balance or shocks. If all of your tires are the same age, have them rotated and have them all, front and rear, balances. By putting tires from the rear you can then tell if you still have cupping.

rhuffhines   

On tires and alignment I have had good results using Purcell Tires and Service located in Austin, Tx. They are a national firm so there is probably someplace near you.

Also ask a truck stop in your area where the big trucks get that kind of service.

I will check the shocks. since the coach is ten years old it would not hurt to replace. Is there a recommended brand ? I want the best available.

If I could get by with a balance and rotation that would be even better.

Thanks, for the help.

Whoacbuddy,

Good luck and smoother riding.

tireman9   

While I can't offer advice on where to get the work done I would suggest you call first as many tire stores and alignment shops are not equipped to handle what is essentially a heavy truck front end alignment.

You mentioned Firestone tire store. Many can not handle heavy trucks but you might check their web site for store locations near the RV location.

That link also has an "Ask the tire Doctor" link and I found this reply concerning right front tire shoulder wear after front end parts change.

" If examination of the left-front tire shows no side force wear then a likely culprit would be a positive camber angle on the right-front.

a. Was the steering axle replaced as part of the repair?

b. Did the alignment shop give you a print out of the alignment specs, as received readings, and after- alignment readings?

c. If you do have such a print out, make sure the right-front CAMBER angle is either 0 or slightly negative. Any positive setting will lean the top of the tire out and wear the outer shoulder on the tire.

d. If the right-front does have a positive camber angle, the axle should be replaced (do not bend the axle as this voids any warranty )."

There is also a post on a similar type of shoulder wear

" From the description of the irregular wear that you give, its sounds like you are describing what the Technology & Maintenance Council defines as Cupping/Scallop (Shoulder Wavy) Wear.

TMC describes the appearance as: "Localized cupped-out areas of fast wear creating a scalloped appearance around tire on the shoulder ribs. May progress to adjoining ribs." TMC gives the 'Probable Cause" as: "Usually a result of moderate to severe assembly out of balance condition, improper rim/wheel mounting or other assembly non-uniformity. Can also be due to lack of shock absorber control on some suspension types as well as loose kingpins and improper bearing adjustment. Underinflation can also cause this condition."

Here is a link with pictures and probable causes of various types of irregular wear on tires.

What great information.

I haven't had the coach that long but since I started reading the forum and saw the importance of tire pressure I checked the tires and they were around 55 pounds. Increased pressure to 90 for my trip and the next day it was 28 degrees . Tire pressure went to 80. Stopped and reinflated to 90 for the ride home.

A few hundred miles into trip air in tires was heating up and pressure went to 95.

Based on your reply it may be the under inflation is a factor.

If, repeat if the recommended tire pressure for your actual weight is 85-90 PSI an the tires were run any distance at 55 PSI, that qualifies as RUN FLAT by tire manufacturers and they should be replaced. The flexing that occurs with tires that underinflated can severely damage their structural integrity.

Ok , I see the point and Iam very glad I have joined in the information on these forums.

Now that I am educated and have a possible hazardous situation on my hands can I dismount the tires and verify the integrity before I replace 3 or 4 thousand worth of tires?

Whoachubby,

You are most likely running 6 each 275/70R-22.5 tires or there abouts. You did not say what year coach you have. If your coach has the original tires and your coach is over 6 years old, you are in need of replacing your tires. 6 to 7 years is max for RV Tires. They may look good with deep tread but looks can be deceiving. I just replaced the tires on my coach and boy did they look good. No crazing on the side walls with wonderful tread, but when they were taken off the rims and were leaning against the wall I look down between the treads. There were crack and crazing all the way around all of the tires.

If that size tire were to have a blow out, you can have damage far beyond the cost of the tire. One friend-one blow out= $7,000.00 damage to his coach and two months in the shop.

BE SAFE, check out the dates.

As a follow up, on one sidewall of each tire is a complete DOT number. The last four digits (usually in a slightly different-looking area, as this part of the mold is changed each week) are the WEEK and YEAR the tire was produced.

Note, the complete DOT number could be facing inboard, instead of being on the outside where it is easily read.

As a follow up, on one sidewall of each tire is a complete DOT number. The last four digits (usually in a slightly different-looking area, as this part of the mold is changed each week) are the WEEK and YEAR the tire was produced. Note, the complete DOT number could be facing inboard, instead of being on the outside where it is easily read. Brett

Don't you just hate that.

I had to crawl under coach to find dot # .

Looks like it is 2102 so it make them 10 years old.

Will the fact that the coach as been parked inside for that time period have any effect ?

I am trying to justify not buying new tires but would rather err on the side of safety.

Even under ideal conditions (always properly inflated, always protected from UV light, no road hazards, etc) 10 years-- the "Fat Lady Has Sung".

Don't risk your and your family's life.

Well I'm on it .

Now the search for tire deals.

Thanks to all for the follow up info on this thread.

I have a lot of precious cargo ( grand kids) when we travel and I can see that the tires are the most important safety feature on the vehicle.

Had no idea of the potential hazards since the tires look so good.

Michlin has a program through FMCA. If you look at Goodyear G 607s ask you dealer about their rebate per tire. When I bought my G670s the dealer got me a $50.00 per tire rebate.

One thing I have found since I became this old person is that alot of Senior & Veteran, gets you a discount. Its "Don't ask, don't tell", if you don't ask they wont tell you about any discounts.

Good luck on your new tires.

2BuckeyeHams   

Would anyone hazard a recommendation or two on where to get Michelin Tires through the FMCA Advantage National Account Program. The tires (255/80R22.5G)are due for replacement (DOT 1205 and some sidewall cracking); especially if we go w/ our plans to drive to Labrador/New Foundland this summer. We are in central FL and are looking for somewhere from Sebring north (last week of March). I found a couple of dealers on the Michelin RV Tires web site that do "national accounts" which I believe is a prerequisite; TCI (Mulberry, FL) and Dan Callaghan Ent. (Lakeland, FL). Both appear to have several locations in the SE or the U.S.

We will also need an alignment and shocks (the coach is doing a bow at each red light). Should I get these also at the tire dealers or separately (e.g. the shocks? Suggestions for make and sources of shocks for our coach (see below) are welcomed.

TNX - Nelson

Nelson, Welcome to the Forum.

Not knowing what coach you have limits responses. For Shocks I would look to a truck shop. Preferably one that works on your chassis or engine.

If you have room in your bays might I suggest that you carry one of the better tires you take off and carry it for a spare should you have tire problems while out of the states.

bebop   

I am due for new tires. only 14K miles but out of date. Calif sales tax is 8.5 % so thinking of going to Oregon to buy tires, and save sales tax and maybe a gouging factor too.

A couple years ago at about 8 or 9000 miles I noted Pass side front wearing on outside. I took it to alignment shop and they changed toe in by 3/8 inch, advising that would end the wear problem. I just made three trips inc last summer and now have 14,000 miles. I looked at the front tires. Driver side is normal and pass side is way worse. What now??

Please advise any tires shops in Oregon on or near the I - 5 corridor. Web page or email would be really helpful.

Thanks to all. Learned quite a lot on this site today. Good solid info. Thanks for the wear chart and advise about repairs related to it. Thanks for any Oregon INFO. Tires are Goodyear 19 inch originals. Coach is class A workhorse W 22. 33 foot. Bebop Bill

Bill, I am not too sure how far it is to Oregon from San Jose, but if each tire cost $400.00 each or $2,400.00 for a set of 6 your Tax would be $198.00. How much would you save by traveling that far? You would need to purchase fuel $$, Parking $$, and , meals $$. Fuel at $4.00 per gallon two nights in RV Parks $35.00 per night.

However if you were going to go to Oregon and further up the coast for a vacation trip then it might be worth it. By the way how much is the Tax in Oregon?

Not trying to be a smartalic, just trying to save you some money.

sundancev   

18 months ago we bought six new Michelins from Lazy Days in Tampa. They also did the alignment and balancing on site. They were very competitive with National Tire Dealers (truck). We could not have been more delighted with our treatment, quality of service and costs, even though as you already know 22.5 inch tires are far from inexpensive.

We also had Lazy Days re-seal our roof. The roof did not appear to have any leaks, however the roof was 6 years old and we thought it worthwhile to go ahead and have it done. They did an excellent job on that also. All in all, Lazy Days has been a first class outfit for us. It is also neary Sebring so thought this info might assist you.

We have a 39 foot Fleetwood Providence with 350 HP Cummins if that info helps you. Paul

bmaginnis1   

I just purchased some tires on the Michelin Tires through the FMCA Advantage National Account Program. I went to Pete's Tire Company in Gardena California. petesrs.com 877 626-1850. The salesmen was David Hunt 310 505-4089, I was treated the best I have been ever been treated by any tire company! I had been purchasing tires for my Equipment Rental Company in the Los Angeles area for the last 30 years utill I recently sold the company and have never been treated as well as I was today. Bottom line I found Pete's through the Michelin FMCA Program and what a find. I shoppped the price and could not find a better deal anywhere. Not only did I get the favorable price, the service in the best I have ever received.

When in Southern California give them a call they will take great care of you, I can be reached at [email protected]

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