Triple Axle Issue

[J&C]

We have owned the 1999-34' for 5 years, tire wear has been a problem on curb-side two front wheels. About 1 year after the purchase the alignment was done at a Dallas Airstream Service Center but problem still exists. The problem has been ignored by replacing 2-3 tires every year Allignments are not working and replacing tire are expensive. To replace one axle may fix a problem but normal wear may require replacement. One quote approximately 2500 for replacement of them.

Any comments or thoughts are apprecitated.

[thecatsandi]

Have the alignment done by someone else. They may not be doing it correctly.

[2airishuman]

hi johnbaker...

why do you assume alignment is the issue...

when many things affect tire wear.

wheel/hub balance, axle loads, inflation and so on...

are you rotating the tires at all?

have any pics of the tire/tread pattern?

alignment isn't a complex, big deal on these units...

the parameters have been posted by inland andy several times...

has a road/axle/wheel impact created this problem or is the problem since new?

why was the alignment redone at 1 year?

the dealer in weatheford tx (not far from you) is pretty good at sorting out these issues...

cheers
2air'

[jcanavera]

Originally Posted by johnbaker

. About 1 year after the purchase the alignment was done at a Dallas Airstream Service Center but problem still exists. The problem has been ignored by replacing 2-3 tires every year Allignments are not working and replacing tire are expensive. .

Maybe it's time to take a trip up to Jackson Center and let them have a crack at this.

Jack

[Dwight]

John,
How old are the tires? How are our shocks? I wouldn't think with the age of your trailer that they would be bad or leaking, but if they are going bad they won't hold the tire to the pavement for proper contact. What about tire pressures? Our 1999-34' hasn't had any tire problems, but I can understand your concern. I feel sure that you and Charles have thought of these same items.

[J&C]

Thanks for all of your reply's, the initial alighnment was done due to uneven tire wear. The original owner (since died) had an accident/tire failure (details are unknown, some body work is also evident). I have only purchased Marathon 225/75R15-D and last year installed 6 Centramatic balancers. Its still typical to get 4-6 thousand miles on the two.

Within the next couple of weeks, I'll be scheduled to take this to Weatherford and hopefully get this problem fixed for good. I was curious if anyone else had similar problems with triple axles.

[thecatsandi]

I have a double axle trailer that has also been through an accident and put over 23,000 miles on the tires in the last year. they are all still in good shape. Another year they will be toast.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f238...one-27195.html

[J&C]

Originally Posted by thecatsandi

I have a double axle trailer that has also been through an accident and put over 23,000 miles on the tires in the last year. they are all still in good shape. Another year they will be toast.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f238...one-27195.html

Thecatsandi,

Wow, 23,000 miles on your tires, if I could get 10,000 miles without replacing tires, I'd be OK.

I saw the pictures, what a nightmare and glad your OK. Hope your A/S can be fixed!

[Action]

John Baker,

Can you describe the wear?
Cupping
Wear to one side of the tire
Wear in the center or the edges

A pic would be even better.

Also what size and rating of the tires? Are all tires same brand and construction?

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Action

[HowieE]

When I bought my 34 it would tear up a set of tires in about 5,000 miles. I used an 8ft. florescent light set across the tires to see just what was wrong. one tire was as much as 3/8 in. out. Jackson quoted me $165.00 to aline them. I took it to Jackson, 10 hours each way, and had the axles alined. Came home and checked again. Still 3/8 in. out so I called Jackson again and asked where I could get the axles alined correctly. They said Gommer's in Chambersburg Pa., 3 hours from home. Gommer's did the job 11 years ago and I have never looked back. At least 90,000 miles ago. I replaced a tire this Jan. in Fl. and when I came home had to go to my tire shop and ask them when I last bought tires for the trailer since it had become a none issue. 2002

To aline these axles you have to bend the axle beam itself. You have to have a truck axle shop do it because they are the only ones that will have the equipement. Jackson had my trailer up on car ramps and 2x12s and plaied with a string tied to a pipe laid across the tongue and stretched towards the rear of the trailer. With this scientific device in place the measured the offset to each tire.

Save a trip to Jackson and just call them and ask where to have it do and do not accept the first answer of a local dealer.

If they can't give you an answer look for a local truck spring and or axle shop.

[thecatsandi]

John,
I took it back to factory and they fixed it up right!
I came through ok. I pulled muscles in my lower back and a a couple of minor cuts on my face and hands.
All is ok now.

[J&C]

Originally Posted by HowieE

When I bought my 34 it would tear up a set of tires in about 5,000 miles. I used an 8ft. florescent light set across the tires to see just what was wrong. one tire was as much as 3/8 in. out. Jackson quoted me $165.00 to aline them. I took it to Jackson, 10 hours each way, and had the axles alined. Came home and checked again. Still 3/8 in. out so I called Jackson again and asked where I could get the axles alined correctly. They said Gommer's in Chambersburg Pa., 3 hours from home. Gommer's did the job 11 years ago and I have never looked back. At least 90,000 miles ago. I replaced a tire this Jan. in Fl. and when I came home had to go to my tire shop and ask them when I last bought tires for the trailer since it had become a none issue. 2002

To aline these axles you have to bend the axle beam itself. You have to have a truck axle shop do it because they are the only ones that will have the equipement. Jackson had my trailer up on car ramps and 2x12s and plaied with a string tied to a pipe laid across the tongue and stretched towards the rear of the trailer. With this scientific device in place the measured the offset to each tire.

Save a trip to Jackson and just call them and ask where to have it do and do not accept the first answer of a local dealer.

If they can't give you an answer look for a local truck spring and or axle shop.

HowieE, Thanks, your post gives me hope, I'll call JC tomorrow, I'd like to get this resolved. JB

[markdoane]

John,

Before you spend any more money, try checking the alignment of the frame. It may have been damaged in the accident.

You can do this by measuring from the center of the hitch coupler socket to the center of the front axle spindles on each side.

The measurement must be within 1/4 inch. This isn't an easy measurement to make, and accuracy is important. I wouldn't use a string, too much stretch. Use a metal tape measure, and make sure that both sides are at equal temperature and equally loaded. If one side is in full sun and the other side is shaded, the measurement will be incorrect.

Once you have the measurements for the front axle, measure between the spindles from the front to the second and third axle. These should be within 1/8" between the two sides.

This is a measurement you can do at home. If the measurements aren't equal, then the axles are not perpendicular to the centerline.

If these measurements are within spec, then you should take it to an axle shop and have the axles checked.

[J&C]

Pictures:

ACTION, The first picture is the mid/curbside tire, shows significant outter wear & indicators exposed. no cupping

The second picure is the front/curb tire shows a outter wear but still servicable, no cupping

End tire (not shown) is fine, no odd wear problems.

John

[J&C]

Originally Posted by johnbaker

Pictures:

ACTION, The first picture is the mid/curbside tire, shows significant outter wear & indicators exposed. no cupping

The second picure is the front/curb tire shows a outter wear but still servicable, no cupping

End tire (not shown) is fine, no odd wear problems.

John

[J&C]

Originally Posted by markdoane

John,

Before you spend any more money, try checking the alignment of the frame. It may have been damaged in the accident.

You can do this by measuring from the center of the hitch coupler socket to the center of the front axle spindles on each side.

The measurement must be within 1/4 inch. This isn't an easy measurement to make, and accuracy is important. I wouldn't use a string, too much stretch. Use a metal tape measure, and make sure that both sides are at equal temperature and equally loaded. If one side is in full sun and the other side is shaded, the measurement will be incorrect.

Once you have the measurements for the front axle, measure between the spindles from the front to the second and third axle. These should be within 1/8" between the two sides.

This is a measurement you can do at home. If the measurements aren't equal, then the axles are not perpendicular to the centerline.

If these measurements are within spec, then you should take it to an axle shop and have the axles checked.

Markdoane,

I hope to measure it this weekend, thanks for the information. I will let you know how it measures, JB

[HowieE]

For the middle tire to show wear it has to have a problem. Try the light buld trick to check for toe in. Place the bulb along the center line of the tire. The bulb should contact all three tires both front and rear sides of the tire. Cot a piece of 1 x 2 wood or any other straight material to fit just touching the tire rim and place a level upright on this straight edge. The tires will not show level but you can compair them. It is the center one that most likely will differ from the other 2.

Cupping is a balance problem and not your problem at this point. Your's is an alinement problem.

[Action]

Thanks John,

Is there a feathered edge to the individual treads on the tires that are worn?
If so you have a toe in (out) issue.

If not you have a camber issue.

It looks to me as a camber issue with out the feathered edge for the curb front and center. Also any wear issues with the tires on the street side?

Alignment - Discount Tire Direct

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Action

[J&C]

Originally Posted by Action

Thanks John,

Is there a feathered edge to the individual treads on the tires that are worn?
If so you have a toe in (out) issue.

If not you have a camber issue.

It looks to me as a camber issue with out the feathered edge for the curb front and center. Also any wear issues with the tires on the street side?

Alignment - Discount Tire Direct

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Action

Action,

No, no feathering just outter wear on center & front curb side. Street side seems to be fine. Thanks for your thought, I'll check for a trucking/trailer allignment specialist in the Dallas area.

JB

[Action]

Based on that data the camber angle is not correct for the application and needs to be adjusted to the curb side middle and front axles. ~ If that is even possible with out damage to the torsion spring inside of the axle.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Action