For September, we dive into commonly asked questions about trailer axles and trailer axle parts. In this month’s articles, we share two new FAQs each week. Check back weekly for more frequently asked questions about all things related to trailer axles. This article answers the popular question, ‘What’s causing uneven wear and tear on my trailer tires?’ This article is a continuation of our Part 1 article that was shared previously.
There are many reasons why you experience unusual or uneven tread wear on your trailer tires. When your trailer and its components are functioning properly, wear and tear on your trailer tires should be the same across the entire tire and identical on all trailer tires.
If you notice that one side of your trailer has more tread wear than the other side or that certain spots on your trailer tire look much more worn than others, this means it’s time to investigate the issue and find the possible culprit.
Feathering across the face
What does this mean? Feathering across the face refers to the feather-like look of the trailer tire with the different tire tufts sticking upward. See the image below for reference.
If you notice your tire looking like this, it means your axles aren’t square. Watch this video to learn how to check if your trailer axles are squared up.
Cupping
The tread pattern referred to as cupping indicates when there are random bald spots of no tread. It can occur on one or both sides of your trailer tire. This tire tread pattern indicates that your bearings are loose or your wheels are off balance.
A wheel bearing is a crucial part of the wheel assembly that connects the wheel and the axle. The simple solution is to tighten your wheel bearing and check your wheels for balance.
Flat spots
Lastly, one of the common tire tread patterns is flat spots. Flat spots are similar to cupping patterns, but the flat spot will span the entire width of the tire across all tread lines. Flat spots may be difficult to notice unless the flat spot is on the top side of the tire when the trailer is parked. Closely inspect your tires frequently because flat spots on your trailer tires are difficult to detect.
A “wheel lockup” happens if you brake too hard or all of a sudden. Your car will be moving, but the wheels will stop spinning.
Flat spots only mean one thing: wheel lockup. A “wheel lockup” happens if you brake too hard or all of a sudden. Your car will be moving, but the wheels will stop spinning. Sometimes there may not be a solution for wheel lockup and/or flat spots, but you can adjust your brakes if you are experiencing many flat spots even if you don’t think you are locking up the wheels.
Contact BlueSwift for Axle Replacement
As always, BlueSwift Axles is here to help you with all your trailer axle needs. If you experience side wear or feathering, your axles may be the culprit. If you are unsure what the issue is, give us a call and we’ll talk through it with you. Our experts are always here to help!