uneven wear on tires

[ccl]

Just inspected the tires and noticed that all 4 tires are worn down pretty bad on the inside, 1 of the tires is showing the threads.
the rest of the tire looks in great shape.
the tires are 3 years old and have about 30,000 miles

The tires are Bfg commercial t/a lt235/85r16

Any thought on why they are wearing so bad on the inside, i checked the springs and axle and everything seems ok.
I also replaced all the brakes nd didn't see any sign of them locking up.

[phillyg]

You're describing an overweight condition on the axles since all four tires are worn evenly, so first get weighed to make sure. If you're not overweight, find a truck spring shop to bend the axles back to spec, or replace them.

[Carl n Susan]

As I recall, that year 2955RL had either 5200 or 5800 lb. rated axles. They would bend easily. I suspect your have done that. I would replace them with 7K axles (same dimensions, brakes and bearings) for not a lot of money. Otherwise you can bend them back but unless you lose weight, avoid potholes and crappy roads, you will be back to the same situation.

[Hblick48]

I had the exact thing happen to my tires. Took 7,000 miles to wear brand nee tires down the inside edge to the threads. Was on a trip, stopped at Les Schwab in Toole Utah to have tires reversed on rims to get home. They were nice enough to let us boondock under their canopy for the night.

When I got home, jacked up rig to make sure axles still had a crown, which they did. Further investigation discovered that the 6,000 pound axles were supported with 2,500 pound springs (that way from the factory). Replaced with 3,000 pound springs and tires have worn perfectly even since.

[ccl]

Originally Posted by Carl n Susan

As I recall, that year 2955RL had either 5200 or 5800 lb. rated axles. They would bend easily. I suspect your have done that. I would replace them with 7K axles (same dimensions, brakes and bearings) for not a lot of money. Otherwise you can bend them back but unless you lose weight, avoid potholes and crappy roads, you will be back to the same situation.

Thanks i plan o doing just that. Is there anything i need to watch out for, are the measurements going to be the same.

[Carl n Susan]

Originally Posted by ccl

Thanks i plan o doing just that. Is there anything i need to watch out for, are the measurements going to be the same.

I did this back around 2010 so I don't have all the details at hand (I actually [posted it all on here so it is findable (if that is a word)). The 5K, 6K and 7K axles are all the same excepts for the wall thickness of the tube. The spindle dimensions are the key and they all have the same diameter so your existing bearings and races will work.

[jimcol]

I replaced both mine, each one at different times. Went with 6k axles. The axle supplier in KC only needed three measurements to build the correct axle. Last one I bought, Feb of 2018 was $384.00, that included shipping it to Florida. Croft Trailer in Kansas City, Mo. Great service. Several MOC members from our area have used their parts and services. https://www.crofttrailer.com/

[ccl]

Thank you for all the help, i decided to have a company called AXIS in Elkhart Indiana make them (i will be able to pick them up while at the MOC rally) I am going with the 7000 lb. not sure if I'll replace hub and bearings (the old ones are in pretty good shape although they are 17 years old). I actually found the Dexter label on the axle that had all the dimensions needed.

[Reset19]

How were you able to determine what capacity spring was installed (2500 vs 3000 lbs)?

[ccl]

Originally Posted by Reset19

How were you able to determine what capacity spring was installed (2500 vs 3000 lbs)?

Didn't know I had to check that, what is the difference.

[sourdough]

I agree that it sounds like you are probably overloaded in some respect. I don't know what stage you are at with those axles but if you haven't paid for them yet you might look into Performance Trailer Braking. They can replace any of your suspension components plus adding disc brakes. I had them add 7k axles and new 7k springs, HD shackles/wet bolts, removed Road Armor suspension and put on MorRyde LRE4000 suspension, disc brakes, Xfactor cross braces etc. Came to my house to do the work and had it done in a day. Good people to work with.

If you are going to upgrade your axles you need to upgrade the springs to match. If you are going to do that it makes no sense not to upgrade the rest of the suspension while at it. As in anything else upgrading one item then leaves you at the mercy of the next weakest link so adding new, upgraded heavier axles without the corresponding springs is almost pointless.

[Reset19]

Originally Posted by ccl

Didn't know I had to check that, what is the difference.

I do not know exactly.

A comment above indicated that the tire wear problems went away with increased capacity springs. I was wondering if there is an easy way to tell what springs are currently installed on a rig. I am seeing some uneven tire wear and thought I would see how I compare.

[Hblick48]

Originally Posted by Reset19

How were you able to determine what capacity spring was installed (2500 vs 3000 lbs)?

On my rig, 2,500 pound springs had 4 leaves. 3,000 pound have 5 leaves.

[jimcol]

Originally Posted by ccl

Thank you for all the help, i decided to have a company called AXIS in Elkhart Indiana make them (i will be able to pick them up while at the MOC rally) I am going with the 7000 lb. not sure if I'll replace hub and bearings (the old ones are in pretty good shape although they are 17 years old). I actually found the Dexter label on the axle that had all the dimensions needed.

ccl, just curious what the new 7k axles cost?

[ccl]

About $300 i think he quoted me $289 without hub and bearings. they make them to order