Wandering Valve stems

[jendon]

We recently replaced all 4 tires on our trailer with new (made in the USA!) Goodyear tires. On both subsequent trips we have noticed that the valve stem seems to move a bit while traveling, making it appear to shrink back behind the hub cap. Each time we have removed the hubcap and replaced it so the stem sticks out where it should be. I'm worried that on a longer trip the stem could get cut or otherwise compromised by rubbing up against the hubcap. What causes this shift and can we prevent it?

Thanks for any suggestions, Jenne

[ventport]

Do you have the correct wheels on your trailer? Or have you put radial tires on it? When this happens on cars the problem is usually too light a wheel for the car or radial tires have been put on a wheel that was designed for bias ply tires. The wheel is flexing causing the wheel cover to walk around on the wheel.

[Kevin245]

It sounds like your hub caps may be rotating on the rim. An out of balance condition, loose fitting or incompatible hub caps can cause/allow this to occur. We had this on our Avion and actually cut a valve stem during a Fall 2009 trip.

Several remedies we've used include wheel hub balancing, a wrap of duct tape around the rim where the hub cap tangs make contact, or a piece of 1/2" diameter vinyl tubing over the valve stem.

Good luck,

Kevin