Tire Rotation

[BB_TX]

There have been occasional comments about uneven tire wear. Does anyone do periodic tire rotation? On the one hand, it doesn't seem as if you should have to. On the other, it seems it might be a good idea. I did a search of the forums and did not find anything about rotation (although I did not search the "entire message" of all forums).

[Illini Trekker]

As I remember stated on past post the answer is NO need to rotate as you do not have turning or drive train tires with the trailer.

[bsmeaton]

Logically it would make sense -

However- I have never had trailer tires wear out the tread. They get replaced well before that... either through belt failure or general weather degradation. I believe an article in Trailer Life said after 3 years you're on borrowed time with an ST rated tire.

[TLightning]

quote:Originally posted by bsmeaton

Logically it would make sense -

However- I have never had trailer tires wear out the tread. They get replaced well before that... either through belt failure or general weather degradation. I believe an article in Trailer Life said after 3 years you're on borrowed time with an ST rated tire.

Agree. They will be unserviceable from old age/dry rot before the tread wears out.

[DonandJudy_12]

I have a service contract on our trailer tires, including road hazard- Annual balancing and rotation are part of the contract- Radial tires should have the direction of rotation changed to promote even wear- I have been retired from the tire business for 20 years so I may be out of the loop, but I have not had a trailer tire failure since I started on this program- mho- Don

[VanMan]

hmmm - certainly no expert here (never in the business), but I thought radials were always rotated on the same side (no crossover) so as to NOT change the direction of rotation - or was that the old steel belted to prevent ply separation ??

[LonnieB]

For several years now, there has been a myth about NOT changing the rotation of a radial tire. It's just that, a myth. The ONLY tires I know of that are designed to rotate in the same direction for their entire life, are directional tires, and that is for traction purposes only. Directional tires will have an arrow molded into the sidewall showing the proper direction of rotation, or you can usually tell by the tread design, looking at the top of the tire the tread pattern should point to the front of the vehicle. Trailer tires, and 99% of light truck tires are NON DIRECTIONAL.
Most people don't have their trailer tires rotated, or even balanced. IMO, it is necessary to have both done annually to get the most available life out of the tires. I agree with Brad, that these trailer tires should be replaced every 3 or 4 years, but I also know that it is not possible for some. Tires are expensive, even the cheap ones, and doing all you can to get the full use out of them won't do anything but help your wallet.

[TLightning]

I agree with LonnieB...the manuals for our vehicles, for a number of years, have shown the radials being rotated by crossing to the other side. We did have one vehicle that had directional tires...they were the only ones that had to remain on the sames side of the car.

[ggranch]

In the very early days of radial tires, reversing the rotation could cause separation. That went away after a few years because of upgraded technology. By 1980 those days were gone. Bob

[bsmeaton]

Seems like 10 billion years ago, but I sold Firestone and Kelly Springfield tires in the 70's. ggranch, that's what I remember too. The steel belts wound bead to bead would begin to lean with the curve of rotation and if you turned that around they would overlap each other and cause the separation in the belt. I think that problem went away with the flexton fiberglass belts.

Lonnie - that was way back then - eh? Goodyear F-32 first ever all season radials, more Firestone recalls,....

[sreigle]

In my opinion, if you are seeing uneven tire wear on the trailer you need to look at axle loading and whether there is an axle problem.

I noticed just today we have a tire nearly worn out on the inside tread of the rear axle after only 13,xxx miles on the trailer. Tomorrow I'll check the other tire on that axle.

[Irv]

Originally Posted by sreigle

In my opinion, if you are seeing uneven tire wear on the trailer you need to look at axle loading and whether there is an axle problem.

I noticed just today we have a tire nearly worn out on the inside tread of the rear axle after only 13,xxx miles on the trailer. Tomorrow I'll check the other tire on that axle.

What were the results of your inspection after finding uneven wear on one tire?

[BB_TX]

Originally Posted by Irv

What were the results of your inspection after finding uneven wear on one tire?

Irv - this thread is from Dec. 2007.

[Mikendebbie]

Irv - start a new thread and ask your question about whatever tire wear you are seeing.

[Carl n Susan]

Wow, what a blast from the past. I haven't seen posts from Steve, Lonnie, Brad, or Tom in a long time.

[mlh]

Originally Posted by Carl n Susan

Wow, what a blast from the past. I haven't seen posts from Steve, Lonnie, Brad, or Tom in a ling time.

We’ve been around long enough to remember all of these. A great bunch. One person missing is Rich.
Lynwood

[Cat320]

Originally Posted by mlh

We’ve been around long enough to remember all of these. A great bunch. One person missing is Rich.
Lynwood

Yes, RichFAA, did he quit RVing?

[AZ Traveler]

I believe Rich passed.

[Carl n Susan]

Originally Posted by AZ Traveler

I believe Rich passed.

Yes he did over a year ago.