How to Identify Trailer Tire Wear Patterns & What They Mean

Maintaining your trailer’s axle and suspension system is crucial for safe and smooth travels, and a key part of this maintenance involves regular tire inspections. Here’s a detailed guide on how to inspect your trailer tire wear patterns and what they indicate about your vehicle's health.

In this blog post, we’ll cover:

• How to check the age of your tires
• How to identify different types of wear
• How to fix wear issues

The first thing you should check is the age of your tire. Trailer tires typically have a lifespan of five to seven years. You can determine the tire's age by examining the numbers printed on its side. For instance, if you see “0117,” it means the tire was manufactured in the first week (“01”) of 2017 (“17”). It's crucial to replace tires that have surpassed their lifespan to ensure safety on the road.

Tire wear can reveal a lot about the condition of your suspension system and whether any components need servicing or replacement. This inspection should be done every three months or every 3,000 miles, whichever comes first. Here are the six common types of tire wear patterns to look out for.

If the center tread of your tire is worn more than the outer edges, this usually indicates overinflation. Too much air pressure causes the tire to round out. To remedy this, reduce the tire pressure to the recommended level.

Appearance: Faster wear in the center treads than on the outside

Probable Cause: Overinflation of the tire

Solution: Reduce the air pressure to ensure even contact with the road

If the edges of your tire are worn more than the center, this is typically due to underinflation. If your trailer tires have outside wear, it means low air pressure is preventing the center of the tire from making proper contact with the road. Inflate your tires to the correct pressure to address this issue.

Appearance: Faster wear on the outside treads compared to the center

Probable Cause: Underinflation of the tire

Solution: Increase the air pressure to achieve even contact

An outside toe wear pattern on the tire shows excessive wear on the outer edge. It’s often caused by too much positive camber in the trailer axle tube, which can result from damage, improper use, or incorrect axle installation. Visit a service center to have your axle tube inspected and replaced if necessary.

Appearance: Faster wear on the outside edge of the tire

Probable Cause: Too much positive camber due to damage, improper use, or incorrect axle installation

Solution: Visit a service center to inspect and possibly replace the axle tube

Inside tire toe wear occurs when the tread on the inner edge of the tire is worn down. It can be due to a loss of camber or an overloaded trailer. If the issue is camber loss, you’ll need to replace the axle tube. If overloading, reduce the weight in your trailer.

Appearance: Faster wear on the inside edge of the tire

Probable Cause: Loss of camber or overloading of the trailer

Solution: Replace the axle tube if necessary and reduce the load on the trailer

Cupping on a trailer tire is characterized by bald spots or excessive wear patterns across the tread. This is often caused by unbalanced tires or improperly seated bearings. To fix this, have your tires rebalanced and check your bearings.

Appearance: Bald spots or lines of excessive wear across the tread

Probable Cause: Unbalanced tires or improperly seated bearings

Solution: Get the tires rebalanced or have the bearings inspected and adjusted at a service center.

This type of wear involves specific areas of the tire showing more wear than others, often due to overly aggressive braking or brake lock-up. To correct flat spots on your tires, adjust your braking habits or have your brakes serviced.

Appearance: Specific sections of the tire with excessive wear

Probable Cause: Overly adjusted or excessively used brakes that lock the tire

Solution: Adjust brake usage and have the brakes inspected and adjusted by a professional

If you notice any of these wear patterns, it’s crucial to address them promptly to avoid further damage and ensure safe travels. Here’s what you should do:

Service Components

Take your trailer to a service center to have the necessary components adjusted, serviced, or replaced.

Replace Worn Tires

Ensure you replace tires with excessive wear to maintain optimal performance and safety.

Regular tire inspections and maintenance are vital for the longevity and safety of your trailer. By understanding and addressing these wear patterns, you can keep your trailer in top condition and enjoy worry-free travels.