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BobAndStella · 09-06-2024, 07:59 PM

Replaced all 4 tires about 6000 miles ago. But now I see excessive wear on two of the tires, right-front and left- rear. See photos. Any thoughts as to the reason? The other two tires look reasonable so I’m considering just getting two new tires for the front axle (?) and putting the better looking tires on the rear. At least until we finish this year’s travels in November. Just don’t have the money right now for 4 new tires.

CapriRacer · 09-07-2024, 06:00 AM

Alignment!!

BobAndStella · 09-07-2024, 09:53 AM

Am told that the alignment on these trailers is fixed and cannot be adjusted. Is that correct!

TitusNW · 09-07-2024, 06:45 PM

I just had my axles replaced and lift kit installed. I went out to measure the width of the mounting holes in the old axles - 11/16". The bolts are 5/8". Not much room for alignment.

I suggest you get a 72" straight edge and lay it across your tires check the gap on the leading or trailing edge of your tires.

Steve

**richard5933** · 09-07-2024, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobAndStella

Am told that the alignment on these trailers is fixed and cannot be adjusted. Is that correct!

There is one aspect of the alignment which can certainly be adjusted, often by the owner him/herself. It's the mounting relationship of the axles to the trailer. The axles should be mounted perpendicular to the length of the trailer. This is something that can be adjusted by loosening the axle mounts and shifting the axle while it's jacked up off the ground.

StevenD · 09-08-2024, 07:43 AM

Those do appear to be unusual wear conditions. In your top pic, it looks like the tire wear is mostly in the middle of the tire and the outside edges are still in pretty good shape since the edge sipes are still evident? This can occur from over inflation or maybe if that tire is carrying more load than the others. The tire wear in the lower pic appears to be concentrated on the outside edge which often would be attributed to alignment issues. Assuming tires are properly inflated, all axle mounting bolts are tight, and that you did not have these wear problems on your previous tires, is it possible that you hit a curb or something that may have tweaked one of the axles? The only other thing I can think of is the tires themselves. Are they trailer spec tires?
Steve

hawkpilot · 09-08-2024, 10:01 PM

I was at Jackson Center in Feb for warranty work and while I was there inquired about alignment. I was told the service center was one of only 2 or 3 places authorized by Dexter to do axle alignment. This would make me skeptical of anyone other than JC for Airstream alignment.

Although JC felt it probably wasn't necessary, I had them perform an alignment on our 2022 GT30 since we had an axle replaced last fall roadside after a hub failure. Turns out both axles were out of alignment....the 'new' axle being so far out that the techs were surprised at the magnitude.

As an aside, I was told even JC doesn't perform an alignment check after an axle replacement unless specifically requested (and paid for) by the customer. Axles from Dexter are assumed within alignment spec....my understanding is that this goes for new production as well.

Merlintiaga · 09-09-2024, 04:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hawkpilot

I was at Jackson Center in Feb for warranty work and while I was there inquired about alignment. I was told the service center was one of only 2 or 3 places authorized by Dexter to do axle alignment. This would make me skeptical of anyone other than JC for Airstream alignment.

I think we are talking about two different aspects of alignment here. Capri Racer is (I believe) referring to the perpendicular mounting of the axle on the trailer (which can be dialed in by loosening the mounting bolts). The alignment the Mothership is authorized to do by Dexter is adjusting the bend in the axle. (If you look at your axles you’ll see that they have a bend in the center) Adjusting this bend is not something one can do without specialty equipment.

BobAndStella · 09-09-2024, 10:44 AM

I sent pictures and a description to Airstream Support. Waiting to hear their response. Meanwhile, an axle alignment sounds pretty extensive/expensive! �� Not sure why or how it would be bent in a way that only affects one tire…. Is it possible for me to easily determine if that is the problem?

**Action** · 09-09-2024, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobAndStella

Not sure why or how it would be bent in a way that only affects one tire…. Is it possible for me to easily determine if that is the problem?

The possibility exists that one side (the pivot point) is fastened securely as designed. The other side may not as much. Over many thousands of miles after going over repeated pavement irregularities (potholes) the other side moves just a 1/16 of an inch. That might be enough to cause an issue.
But not the only possibility.

Determining cause would require detailed measuring with very accurate equipment.

Action

hawkpilot · 09-09-2024, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobAndStella

I sent pictures and a description to Airstream Support. Waiting to hear their response. Meanwhile, an axle alignment sounds pretty extensive/expensive! �� Not sure why or how it would be bent in a way that only affects one tire…. Is it possible for me to easily determine if that is the problem?

Actually wasn't that bad on cost. You pay shop rate for the technician - they said approx 45 min for the alignment check and 1.5-2hrs total if alignment check is out and then needs aligned.

Simplistic description of axle alignment is basically just bending the axle until it is within specs. Not super complicated actually.

BobAndStella · 09-10-2024, 01:33 PM

Frustrated. Airstream Support says: “… Alignment is adjustable on these axles, many of our dealers would perform this. You can also reach out to Dexter Axle…”
I called the closest dealer and they said “No, they can’t be adjusted. If they’re out of spec, then they can only be replaced. “. So I called a Dexter-authorized service center and they said the same thing as the Airstream dealer. Very frustrating!

**richard5933** · 09-10-2024, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobAndStella

Frustrated. Airstream Support says: “… Alignment is adjustable on these axles, many of our dealers would perform this. You can also reach out to Dexter Axle…”
I called the closest dealer and they said “No, they can’t be adjusted. If they’re out of spec, then they can only be replaced. “. So I called a Dexter-authorized service center and they said the same thing as the Airstream dealer. Very frustrating!

To my knowledge the only aspect of the axle alignment that can be adjusted is the actual mounting position of the axles. As in, to make sure that the axles are mounted square to the trailer. This can certainly affect tire wear and should be dealt with if it's not correct. But, there are many other aspects of alignment which are not easily adjusted on these axles by most dealers/shops.

CapriRacer · 09-11-2024, 06:25 AM

My experience is that many folks will say that if the alignment doesn't have built in adjustability from the factory, then it can't be adjusted. FALSE!!

A good alignment tech will know that it might take a shim or bending things and you have to be careful when you do that, but it can be done. You may have to pay to do that, but it will fix the problem.

Don't frequent the former.

StevenD · 09-11-2024, 07:30 AM

I think there may be a rush to judgement here. Not sure that you have an alignment issue; you may but that has not been determined. Most important; did you have these wear issues with the old tires? Has tire inflation been maintained? Are all of the axle to frame bolts good and tight? What brand and type of tires are you using? Are they trailer type or at least, light truck spec? Additionally, when hitched, is your trailer level or near level? And then, do you recall any instances where you hit a curb or something that could have knocked the axle out of spec?
Any of these issues, or a combination of them, could contribute to tire wear problems.
Steve

**richard5933** · 09-11-2024, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CapriRacer

My experience is that many folks will say that if the alignment doesn't have built in adjustability from the factory, then it can't be adjusted. FALSE!!

A good alignment tech will know that it might take a shim or bending things and you have to be careful when you do that, but it can be done. You may have to pay to do that, but it will fix the problem.

Don't frequent the former.

Other than shimming the axle mounting points, where in the Dexter axles are you suggesting a shim could be added?

BobAndStella · 09-11-2024, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StevenD

I think there may be a rush to judgement here. Not sure that you have an alignment issue; you may but that has not been determined. Most important; did you have these wear issues with the old tires? Has tire inflation been maintained? Are all of the axle to frame bolts good and tight? What brand and type of tires are you using? Are they trailer type or at least, light truck spec? Additionally, when hitched, is your trailer level or near level? And then, do you recall any instances where you hit a curb or something that could have knocked the axle out of spec?
Any of these issues, or a combination of them, could contribute to tire wear problems.
Steve

I responded to Airstream Support and their information that 1) axle alignment can be done and 2) it can be done by an Airstream dealer. I let them know that both Airstream Reno and a Dexter-authorized service center both DISAGREED with them and I asked for more clarification. I’ve not yet heard back.
Regarding other possible causes, I want to draw attention to the fact that the uneven wear is on the outermost part of the two involved tires. And that it is only one tire one each axle. And the involved tires are also diagonal, ie Front-Left and Rear-Right. The wear on the other tires looks minimal/normal.

gypsydad · 09-11-2024, 09:22 AM

Agree; Alignment. I had mine done while at JC several years ago, as I too, was having wear issues with one side. That fixed my issues.

BobAndStella · 09-11-2024, 10:51 PM

Just to make sure we’re on the same page, this issue is occurring on a 25’ Flying Cloud Travel Trailer.

StevenD · 09-12-2024, 08:30 AM

My best guess is that the distance between the two axles is not the same left and right and possibly they’re fighting each other and that’s why the wear shows up on opposite corners. If your old tires wore the same way, then maybe the problem goes back to the original installation. If not, and the frame to axle bolts are all tight, then perhaps, one of the axle ends has become damaged or worn out and that is causing the mis alignment?