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Keith-N-Dar View Drop Down
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Joined: 03 Apr 2011
Location: Mayville, WI
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Posts: 1447 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Tire Wear
    Posted: 04 Oct 2011 at 5:59pm
My pod is in storage so I can't look, but I understood they had independent suspension instead of a straight axle.
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techntrek View Drop Down
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Posts: 9059 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Oct 2011 at 5:41pm
I checked my tires a few minutes ago, and mine show even wear on both tires.  Like I said a few posts ago I should see uneven wear by now if it was occuring.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Posts: 466 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Oct 2011 at 4:20pm
I think some of you are missing the point here.  What you're seeing has nothing to do with tire pressure, age of tires, speed in which their driven, etc.  This issue is they are not wearing correctly, as shown by the big wear down of the outside edge.  That's being caused by the tire not having a full and even patch on the roadway, as others have mentioned.  The problem is, trying to figure out what's causing it to occur, meaning, why is the tire not resting properly on the road surface.
"Ray & Connie"

- 2017 R-Pod RP-180
- 2007 Toyota Tacoma TRD-Off Road
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Tucker View Drop Down
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Posts: 5 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Oct 2011 at 1:10pm
I agree that tire pressure is often a problem and the first thing to look at. It could have been a contributor in this case because I didn't check it every day we were out. However, I would expect wear on both the edges of the tire if low pressure were my primary problem and I only have it on the outer edges.
 
I also agree that it is time to take it to a trailer place to get the alignment checked. It is a 100+ mile round trip for me so it will be a while before I can make that happen. I'll post the results whenever I get them.
 
In the meanwhile, I did a rough check on my own by centering a 4 foot straight edge on the bottom of the axle and measuring the rise at the 2 foot mark - got 11/32 inch. Not very precise, but the best I could figure out with what I have to work with. If my math is correct, it calculates to about a .82 degree bend in the axle tube.
 
Perhaps more interesting is that I made the same measurement on a utility trailer that has a very similar axle (3,500lb Dexter Torflex) and came up with the same rise. The utilty trailer was on its wheels, but without any cargo when I made the measurement. I had the r-pod axle hanging from the frame with jackstands under the trailer frame - so no load on the axle. The utility trailer has not exhibited any  strange wear patterns on its 14 year old tires so I am inclined to think that it has to be something other than the bend in the axle that is causing problems with the r-pod tires.
 
Thanks for all your input. I'll let you know if I come up with any useful answers.
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Posts: 9059 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Oct 2011 at 7:54am
Welcome.  Definitely interested in hearing what you find out.  I've made a note to check out my tires tonight.  We've done approximately 2500 miles over the last 2 years, 1500 just this past summer, so if the tires are going to wear oddly I should see it by now.
 
Some vehicles just wear out tires due to their design.  I've had cars that cup and chew through tires no matter how often you rotate and align and switch tire brands, and some that go 50,000 miles on a set with barely a rotation in sight.  In general I've found the ultralight cars are the ones that do the damage (especially on the rear axle where there is no weight at all) and the heavier ones ironically do better.  I'm guessing due to more skipping around on the road.  We could see the same thing with the pods, they are light.  Even with sway bars trailers bounce back and forth a little - which would put extra wear on the outer edges of the tires...
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Oct 2011 at 7:11am
Originally posted by Tucker

I've been running the tires at 50psi and check them every time we go out with it.
 
I agree that the wear pattern makes it look like the axle has too much camber and the axle does appear to slope down from the middle. I'll measure the rise tomorrow. However, the axle paint doesn't show any sign of being jacked up using the axle. Also, I bought the trailer new and I know that it hasn't happened since the trailer left the dealer. I suppose it could have been lifted by jacking under the axle by either the dealer or the factory. I guess I need to get under some other r-pods and see if mine has more bend in the axle.
 
Thanks for the help!
 
In looking at the pictures the first thing that came to mind was a camber issue.  I had to ask about the tire pressures, however.  Typically, for the average user, the tires will dry rot before the tread wears out.
 
I agree that it may be time for a professional second opinion.  I am not familiar enough with straight axle/torsion bar set ups to give much advise.  Good luck!
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Posts: 672 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Oct 2011 at 1:39am
  Tucker, I would take the trailer to an RV dealer or a good trailer dealer that sells the type of axle that you have. It could be an axle issue or the axle could be out of alignment.  Goose
Mother Goose's Caboose..2011 RP171..07 Grand Cherokee
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Posts: 134 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Oct 2011 at 10:45pm
Driving under 65 mph will make a big difference in how long your tires will last . Tire pressure is also very important.
sjf
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Tucker View Drop Down
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Joined: 03 Oct 2011
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Posts: 5 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Oct 2011 at 10:36pm

We ordered it with the axle risers and I think they were installed at the factory during the initial build.

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Posts: 33 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Oct 2011 at 9:49pm
Just curious, did someone install axle risers?
Steve and Rosa
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