Utility trailer issues question.

[Greenheadless]

I bought a single axle Ranch King from Houston Trailer Wheel and Frame here in Houston. It supposedly has a 3500lb axle and is rated to 2400lbs per the manufacturers specification.

I noticed the inside of the the tires of the trailer are wearing very fast and almost have no tread left. I am hauling a Kawasaki Mule 3010, which is rated 1200lbs dry weight and probably have less than 500 lbs of gear, gas, mud, etc on it at any given time (realistically, more like 200-300 lbs).

Question, why are the insides of the tires wearing so bad?

[Palmetto]

I have one too, and regularly haul a transmule loaded with gear. The tires they come with are junk. Bias ply, and they wear quick. After 2 trips out west, I didn't trust them anymore. So I replaced them with some 8 ply radials. No wearing issues since then.

[mavrick]

Carry it back a few years ago a boat trailer manufacture had to replace a bunch of axels because of this issue.

[Greenheadless]

I have one too, and regularly haul a transmule loaded with gear. The tires they come with are junk. Bias ply, and they wear quick. After 2 trips out west, I didn't trust them anymore. So I replaced them with some 8 ply radials. No wearing issues since then.

Did yours wear on the insides? Since going to radials, this inside wear issue has gone away?

[sniper steve]

Torsion axle or leaf springs?

Sounds like a weight issue, causing your axle to "flex", leaving the insides of the tires making the most contact with the road. Have you ever overloaded it, possibly bending the axle or spindles?

Better tires will last longer, but until you get those tires standing up straight, you're going to keep running into issues. A helper spring, or a new axle might be in your future...

[Palmetto]

no, they where wearing all over. If all you've ever hauled is the mule, you haven't overloaded it. But, it does sound like you have bent axle.

[Greenheadless]

The Mule is the heaviest thing I have ever hauled. Only other heavy thing I have hauled was feed, but that was never more than 1500 lbs.

You guys are hitting the nail on the head I think. Only things I have ever heard of is either a bent axle or hauling too heavy of a load to cause this type of issue. I just wanted to see if I was thinking crazy.

I have also had a vibration issue at highway speeds when I run the trailer empty. I took it back to HTWF and they basically told me that not their problem.

Needless to say, I have been less than pleased with this trailer and HTWF on their handling the issues so far. I will call Ranch King and see what they have to say, but I do not think they will do anything seeing the trailer is a year old. Kinda my word on the deal I have never overloaded it.

[Greenheadless]

Torsion axle or leaf springs?

Sounds like a weight issue, causing your axle to "flex", leaving the insides of the tires making the most contact with the road. Have you ever overloaded it, possibly bending the axle or spindles?

Better tires will last longer, but until you get those tires standing up straight, you're going to keep running into issues. A helper spring, or a new axle might be in your future...

Leaf springs.

[Palmetto]

That sucks. I have been pleased with mine, & I've had it for about a year. 6'x12' single axle. The only thing it needs is more tie-down points. It only has 4. (one on each corner)

[sniper steve]

I just replaced an axle on a 6X12 3500lb single axle trailer. Axle and hardware was around $350, took a little over an hour to replace, with the trailer up on a car lift. I filled mine with gravel, so I'm SURE my issue was due to weight...

You might be able to get a welder to cut the spindles and realign them, bracing them up at the same time. But, at that point, you're at about the cost of a new axle, the old axle is already removed, and the trailer is out of commission longer. I did this originally, lasted about six months before the tires started to kick out again. Lesson learned. Once metal is bent, it tends to bend again.

Bad deal all of the way around.

[dragonsdaddy]

axles are pre-curved in some cases, so when loaded they will straighten out, which could explain wearing on the inside. check with the trailer fabricator to see if this axle is so "bent".

[sniper steve]

axles are pre-curved in some cases, so when loaded they will straighten out, which could explain wearing on the inside. check with the trailer fabricator to see if this axle is so "bent".

Pretty sure it's torsion axles that have the "bend" you are talking about. OP has a leaf spring suspension, considered a "stiff" axle, the leaf springs take the weight instead of the axle itself.

And wouldn't said bend cause wear to the outside of the tires when unloaded?

[Dale Moser]

You might make sure the bearings are snug.

[Greenheadless]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I am going to look into it in a week or so. Dealing with a faulty neutral switch on the Mule right now.

[critter69]

Keep us posted as to what you find out. I have the same issues you are having. Was told to use 8 ply tires but not sure that is the cause. I have checked bearings on mine and they are good.