Strange and unexplained tire wear

About six months after I bought my 32 ft 5th wheel in 2004, I noticed that the left rear tire was wearing on the inside.  I took it to the manufacturer in Indiana and they replaced the tire.  Concurrently the RV was checked by a specialist for axle alignment, etc.  Nothing was found to be out of alignment.  Within another few months the same tire began to show the same wear pattern. The RV was parked most of the 05-06 Winter in New Mexico, but in June 2006, we noticed strange wear patterns on all tires.  This was diagnosed by Huachuca City RV in Arizona as bent axles.  They felt that the original axles were not strong enough and new, heavier duty axles were installed.  We then headed for Alaska.  On the return trip, a friend who was following in his car noticed that the left rear tire seemed to ?wander.?    Upon inspection I noticed that the same wear problem had developed on the left rear tire.  When we arrived in Arizona, Huachuca City again looked at the RV.  Even after installing heavy duty springs, the I-beam of the frame seemed to flex, causing the spring shackles to flex sideways.  A local machine shop with considerable experience in trailers reinforced the I beam and spring shackles by welding a box arrangement on the I beam, reinforced the shackles to prevent side movement, and welded 3x3 tube at each shackled point across the frame to the shackle points on the opposite side of the RV.  The arrangement stabilizes the frame and axles.  The same person who first noticed the ?wander? followed me for several miles in New Mexico and says that there is no longer a side movement.

After traveling from New Mexico, across Texas to Mississippi and then back to East Texas, I am noticing the same wear pattern on the left rear tire.  In summary, after new axles, heavy duty springs and a rebuild/strengthening of the frame, it is still happening in the same location (left rear) but with different wheels and tires.  All measurements/calibrations seem normal.  Shackle locations have been checked to make sure that one side wasn?t inadvertently welded in the wrong place.

Any suggestions?

Have you check for bent wheels?

You said you 'bought' the rig in 2004, but didn't say if it was new or used. Possible collision (frame) damage before you bought it? Axle bent?  How heavily is it loaded? On what side?

Carl L said:

Have you check for bent wheels?

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Yes, different wheels have been placed on the left rear and it still wears on the inside

Karl said:

You said you 'bought' the rig in 2004, but didn't say if it was new or used. Possible collision (frame) damage before you bought it? Axle bent?  How heavily is it loaded? On what side?

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I bought it new in 2004, it has not been in and accident.  As I said, it was checked when the axles were checked for alignment (cost me $150).  Note also that in my description, both axles were replaced with heavier duty ones and with heavy duty springs,  and it continues to wear on the left rear insude.  It is heavily loaded but not excessiverly on either sidxe.  But if that were the case, shouldn't it wear on both tires? 

Wobbling wheel bearings? If the specs all check out when sitting in the shop, it must be something dynamic, i.e. the wheel moves out of alignment when it is rolling down the highway.  Frame flex would explain it, but you seem to have covered that possibility.  Very strange, though, that a complete axle change plus frame reinforcement did not alter the symptom much, if any.

I think I would be looking at another trailer rather than spending more money on this one.

I agree with Gary 100%.  It won't get better, only worse.

RV Roamer said:

Wobbling wheel bearings? If the specs all check out when sitting in the shop, it must be something dynamic, i.e. the wheel moves out of alignment when it is rolling down the highway.  Frame flex would explain it, but you seem to have covered that possibility.  Very strange, though, that a complete axle change plus frame reinforcement did not alter the symptom much, if any.

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How about basic frame alignment?  Perhaps the thing has lozenged or was made with a trapezoidial error in it.  Manufacturer did say it was OK, but then he would say that, wouldn't he.

I think I would be looking at another trailer rather than spending more money on this one.

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No lie.

Perhaps the thing has lozenged

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Cograt's Carl - a new verb has been born ;D

Karl said:

Cograt's Carl - a new verb has been born ;D

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Minor feat.  It happens all the time in English.  Ever tipped a waiter?    Shotgunned a bird?  Engineered a project?

Ever tipped a waiter?

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No. In Wisconsin we tip cows and shine deer (Turtle Wax works best)

Karl said:

No. In Wisconsin we tip cows and shine deer (Turtle Wax works best)

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Ah yes, that old Mid-Western sport of midnite deer hunting -- with a big flashlite and a 16 oz. ball peen hammer.  My old daddy told me about it.