Severe Tire Rub Issue

[mikeg205]

Yeah, I was just thinking about how I am going to have to write up an awesome blog post for this forum on my website (when I finally relaunch the dumb thing). I used this forum a few years ago right after we purchased the boat and everyone was so quick to respond, problems were fixed right away.

oh great another blog to read...lol.... just signed.

[sheyski]

LOL. Well no worries yet. I never seem to have time to write.

[thatsmrmastercraft]

My hubs said, since he purchased the leaf springs from a trailer guy who specializes in large trucks, (not boat trailers) and the guy asked my hubs if those particular leaf springs would work (and he said yes) he doubts that guy will help us fix the problem.

He also said, if you wanna help us do something about our tires, he's listening

Unfortunately too many business owners are happy to take your money when thing are going right but won't stand behind their work or their word when things don't work out. You should consider a complaint with the Better Business Bureau and the Chamber of Commerce.

Mikeg205 has the answers for getting the correct springs in there. It would help if you post some pictures of your set-up.

I will sell you tires at my cost to try to make up for the lousy service you received. email me at [email protected]

[sheyski]

Thanks Mike & Peter.

We are going to the lake this weekend to bring the boat home to do some maintenance. I will definitely take pics on Sunday.

[mikeg205]

We have the same trailers... so we can compare... good luck - unless you have a great dealer and or servicer - the advice here is priceless. I got here 4 years ago and my boat and trailer work like new... now to get at the paint job on my boat..

[sheyski]

Pictures

I seem to be having issues uploading pictures with my browser so I will post them separately.

[sheyski]

Pictures

This is the next set.

[sheyski]

3rd and final set

Last set of pictures.

[sheyski]

A few comments about the pictures. I took several images yesterday while the boat was in the water. There is obviously a difference in the shackle from when the boat is loaded on the trailer and when it's empty. Hubs claims it is supposed to be pointing to rear of trailer (away from axle) with boat loaded but it is only vertical. With no boat, shackle is facing towards axle.

Also, a couple of us thought the axle looks like the bottom of it is twisting forward. What do you think?

I took pictures of the tires just to show the wear. If you're a tire expert, do you think they are too worn on the edges to continue to use? The spare is the original tire that the trailer landed on when the springs broke last summer. They got this worn after driving maybe 1000 miles on them, at most.

Thanks for your thoughts!!

[thatsmrmastercraft]

From what I can see, I think the axle is bent. That would explain the extreme tire wear you are experiencing. Axles are often bent from having the trailer too far into the water so that the tires fall off the end of the cement pad and having to give a good yank to get it back up on top when pulling out. The trailer may have come that way. I would do some careful measuring to verify this.

When a tire is bearing all the weight on just half of the tire, it doubles the load on the tire, and results in a blow out sooner or later. Usually sooner.

I would be hesitant to take much of a trip with the condition of the trailer and tires.

[mikeg205]

A little tilt ok... To me it looks like spring to short. On mine with boat shackle move back.

Show picture of tire with boat and no boat... Want to see clearance of fender.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[sheyski]

Peter and Mike - I think you are both verifying what we've been thinking. We thought the axle was probably bent. I can't remember if the trailer ever fell off the ramp. There is a shorter ramp that we've used at a lake that is not very steep at all, but I can't remember if we had ever jerked on it. I do know that we don't have a brake actuator in the trailer right now and the trailer slips back and forth on the empty hitch (missing the guts of the actuator). That fell apart last summer as well.

However, we also think the new leaf springs are half the problem because they aren't forcing the shackle in the right direction, when under the weight of the boat.

Sounds like we should just buy a new axle and leaf springs, then buy some new tires on top of all of that.

Mike - We actually have really nice clearance with these new springs, compared to what we used to have. I probably can't send you a picture without the boat on the trailer since we won't have it back in the water until the trailer is fixed, but I could take pics tonight with the boat on the trailer.

Have either of used the trailer companies recommended in the library? I'd like to get our parts ordered so we can get the boat back in the water for our 4th of July show.

Thanks.

[thatsmrmastercraft]

I haven't tackled my trailer yet, and I haven't checked the library, but I directed Mike to Northern Tool & Equipment for his leaf springs. They also sell complete axle kits with axle, springs, u-bolts and shackles.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...xles+axle-kits

I have been Buying from Northern for years.

[sheyski]

I haven't tackled my trailer yet, and I haven't checked the library, but I directed Mike to Northern Tool & Equipment for his leaf springs. They also sell complete axle kits with axle, springs, u-bolts and shackles.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...7475_200317475

I have been Buying from Northern for years.

Good to know, thanks. We were thinking about getting the entire kit as well. We want to do this right!

[mikeg205]

I have used all the trailer companies for various parts - but the springs should be ordered from northern tool. Using the part number in the thread. That is what I did.