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Old 03-20-2013, 11:28 PM   #1
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Tire Wear

I have a 2012 Lacrosse 301RLS with about 5k miles. Noticed today that both tires on the rear axle have edge wear on the inboard sides. Improper camber? The front axle tires show even wear and are in good shape. The trailer has the EZ Tow wide spacing axles. I keep the tires properly inflated and keep my speed around 60 mph..I'm still under warranty and will call the dealer tomorrow and set up an appointment. Just wanted to know if anyone else has had a problem like this. Always like to be prepared when talking to the service writer. First picture rear tire, 2nd front tire
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Old 03-21-2013, 07:56 AM   #2
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You may have an alignment problem on the rear axle that you should have your dealer check into.

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Old 03-21-2013, 08:19 AM   #3
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Both rear tires wearing on the inside is a good indication of a bent axle or one without enough 'bow up' in the center. Mis-alignment would wear one tire on the inside and the other on the outside.
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Old 03-21-2013, 08:55 AM   #4
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Is it just the pic (or possibly me), but that top tire looks like it has a lump on both sidewalls.
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Old 03-21-2013, 09:08 AM   #5
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Is it just the pic (or possibly me), but that top tire looks like it has a lump on both sidewalls.
Sure looks like it does. Also looks like under inflation for only 5000 miles.
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Old 03-21-2013, 09:13 AM   #6
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Thanks guys. You are exactly right. Didn't know this could be done, never to old to learn.Tp always checked before getting underway.Lump, does look funny in the picture. The rear tires are getting replaced with Goodyear Marathons from wallyworld for 125.00 ..Also found this on YouTube,
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Old 03-21-2013, 10:02 AM   #7
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Very interesting video. I never thought about them bending both sides of the axle. I thought it was just bowed in the middle. Is there anything that keeps the axle from rotating in the u-bolts? (If it wasn't so cold out I'd crawl under mine and look)
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Old 03-21-2013, 10:05 AM   #8
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My take is overload,way too much tire wear in 5000 mi. Rear axle arch could be from overload,thus causing the inside tire wear on both rear tires. I would not do the rearch on a tube axle under Warr.like they are doing in that Vid. Youroo!!
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Old 03-21-2013, 10:07 AM   #9
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Very interesting video. I never thought about them bending both sides of the axle. I thought it was just bowed in the middle. Is there anything that keeps the axle from rotating in the u-bolts? (If it wasn't so cold out I'd crawl under mine and look)
The U bolts hold the axle tight against the springs or on the torsion axles, the axle has a plate welded on the end that bolts to the frame to prevent rotation.
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Old 03-21-2013, 11:50 AM   #10
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If the bottom of the tire must be moved OUT, this can only be done by bending both sides of the axle, since the device cannot fit ABOVE the center of the axle. The center of the axle can be pulled down sing other techniques like blocking the sides and using a chain to PULL the center of the axle.

If the bottom of the tire must be moved IN, it can be done by bending the axle in the center with the device BELOW the axle.

Also, by doing it as shown, each wheel can be independently adjusted if the degree of correction is different for the two side.

Great video.

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Old 03-21-2013, 01:28 PM   #11
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First thing I noticed is that the rear tire has more wear, period. Yes it is worn uneven, but more wear overall. Usually that suggests that one axle has more load than the other, or an inflation issue.

Those bulges in the sidewall are also interesting.
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Old 03-21-2013, 01:30 PM   #12
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Are you sure the axle has not been installed upside down, this would cause this condition.
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Old 03-21-2013, 08:14 PM   #13
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I think the fix is to have the axle aligned or replaced. I got under the camper today, no upward bow in the axle tube. I'm not sure if it ever had one, I've always noticed the rear tires to have slight inward camber compared to the front. Again, tires are aired up before hitting the road and checked before getting underway each day. Low pressure tire wear will show on both edges of the tire not just one side. Negative camber the tops of the wheels are closer together than the bottoms and the wear will be on the inside edge of the tire....my problem. In my ignorance about trailer axles/tires I didn't realize they needed alignment, just like a car...Makes sense. The guy in the video had the computerized alignment equipment and alignment specifications for the trailer he was working on. I hope my dealer is that high tech. I go there tomorrow.... Thanks to everyone for your input. I'll post the results of the shop visit..
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Old 03-22-2013, 11:15 PM   #14
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Went to my dealer today, as I suspected alignment problem not covered by warranty. And they don't do alignments on trailers which I find odd as they are one of the largest dealers on the east coast. Did find an alignment shop that does travel trailers and made an appointment for next week. Also found this http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fu...pging/1/page/1 This guy made a rig to adjust and not bend the axles, all past my skill level. Again I think this alignment thing is an issue with TT's and 5er's. Just my opinion.
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Old 03-22-2013, 11:49 PM   #15
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Had a similar problem on my previous 5th wheel, excessive wear on the outer rim of the tires in 10k miles. Lippert replaced both axles and two tires under warranty. Trailers don't have to be aligned like automobiles, if the axle is true and installation done correctly you should never have a problem unless you hit something.
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Old 03-23-2013, 08:24 AM   #16
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Sirsea, How did you go about getting Lippert to do this? Did your dealer take care of it or did you contact Lippert's warranty dept? The reason I ask is in my Lippert manual there is a tire wear chart showing side wear with the probable cause of loss of camber or overloading. Their corrective action is don't exceed axle load rating or align at an alignment shop or service center. My dealer acted like it wasn't their problem and I needed to find an alignment shop..
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Old 03-23-2013, 09:02 AM   #17
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Right after we paid for our trailer the manager of the dealership told us we should replace all the tires and have them balanced and have the axles aligned at an alignment shop. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I thought when you bought something new it was ready to use. I have never had the alignment checked and can't tell anything from the tire wear because I'm on my third set of tires in less than a year. Seems there are lots of different issues with these trailers. We still enjoy ours and it fits out needs perfectly.
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Old 03-23-2013, 09:47 AM   #18
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Confun 1 Your tire problems reinforces my belief that tires and axles fall through the crack when it comes to pull type RVs. Why would the alignment not be checked by the manufacture or dealer before they are sold. I have never purchased a new car with one front tire pointing north and the other pointing south... And why wouldn't a large dealership have an alignment shop or referral shop for their customers? I agree the misalignment on any vehicle can be cause by a road hazard. I want to get my unit to an alignment shop, I worry about tire failure while on the road. Like you, I really enjoy our Lacrosse, this is the only big issue I've had in the 9 months of ownership and logging 5k+ miles.
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Old 03-23-2013, 10:05 AM   #19
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I have never had the alignment checked and can't tell anything from the tire wear because I'm on my third set of tires in less than a year.
Say what? Three sets of tires in a year? Why?
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Old 03-23-2013, 06:40 PM   #20
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5k miles..you should not see any noticeable wear on the tires if everything was installed correctly. We had a little over 25k miles on the trailer when we traded it and the two tires that were not replaced when the axles were had at least 75% tread left. My Lippert owners manual clearly identified the tire wear pattern (same as yours) as an axle problem. My dealer was very good and pushed the issue with them until they agreed to replace both axles and two tires. My brother-in-law took his 2012 Komfort to Camping World today for the exact same problem, Lippert has already shipped a new axle under warranty. Sounds like your dealer doesn't understand or doesn't want to pursue the problem. You may have to contact Lippert directly and be persistent with them.
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