Tire rotation "who's right"

TURBS · 12-26-2013, 12:59 PM

Ok so it's a "busy" day in the shop today so we're bench racing "bs session" and such.

The normal tire rotation on a vehicle is a matter of preference but I default to "fronts straight back" and rears "crisscross" to the front.

Which brings up trailer tire rotation.

There's obviously no steer tire and theoretically both axles are cambered the same.

So what is right?

Swap tires side for side but leave them on the same axle? "Tires will run the opposite way"

Or criss cross front to rear?
"Tires will run the opposite way and be on the other axle"

Or move tires straight forward and back on same side? "Tires run the same direction only on different axles?

What ya think?

TURBS

merry christmas to everyone on FRF !

Helmsey · 12-26-2013, 01:36 PM

I criss cross front to rear....no rhyme or reason as to why

TURBS · 12-26-2013, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Helmsey

I criss cross front to rear....no rhyme or reason as to why

Makes sense to me.

TURBS

merry christmas to everyone on FRF !

drc343 · 12-26-2013, 04:36 PM

If you do not rotate trailer tires you can find axle aliment problems easier before it becomes a big problem. Just my opinion.

**wmtire** · 12-26-2013, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by f1100turbo

Ok so it's a "busy" day in the shop today so we're bench racing "bs session" and such.

Being ours is a tire shop, we don't usually delve into tire topics during our down time 'philosophical discussions'. We ponder the important things....like why are they called APARTments, when they are so close together.

Here are the recommended patterns for four tire rotations on vehicles.

ChristianCamper · 12-26-2013, 05:06 PM

Unless you are a full timer that logs a lot of miles, your tires will dry rot or seperate before they wear. If you do log the miles, front to back, no criss cross is fine. If you see abnormal wear, either something is bent (like and axle) or you have worn spring bushings.

B47 · 12-26-2013, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wmtire

Being ours is a tire shop, we don't usually delve into tire topics during our down time 'philosophical discussions'. We ponder the important things....like why are they called APARTments, when they are so close together.

Here are the recommended patterns for four tire rotations on vehicles.

That's as clear as mud - the chart shows A and B can be used on rear and four wheel drive vehicles and C can be used on FWD vehicles,but B can also be used.

Why not just say there isn't a specific tire rotation for these vehicles?

Airdale · 12-26-2013, 07:45 PM

Side to side to counter road crown/road camber.

A

Twisty · 12-26-2013, 07:59 PM

The only force applied to the tires is braking.
Right side tires go on to the left side and vicious vercious.

jbrostek · 12-27-2013, 09:14 AM

Who rotates trailer tires? Mine usually dry rot long before they wear out.

OldCoot · 12-27-2013, 09:34 AM

IMO, rotating trailer tires is a waste of time and effort.

wyo700 · 12-27-2013, 11:17 AM

I have never heard of any one rotating trailer tires. I worked in tire shops for about 8 years and never one nor did I ever get asked about doing it. Actually don't see the point or benefit in doing it.

DDC · 12-27-2013, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldCoot

IMO, rotating trailer tires is a waste of time and effort.

X2.

Dodge Guy · 12-29-2013, 07:25 PM

I always go front to back on cars/trucks. this keeps the tires spinning in one direction. when you criss/cross them you change the tire rotation. I have seen tires separate steel belts because all of a sudden the tires are asked to perform in a different manner. yes, I know it sounds odd, but working on fleet cars and doing a little testing on rotation we found that keeping them on one side of a vehicle was best.

And no ,I don`t rotate the trailer tires!

Twisty · 12-29-2013, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbrostek

Who rotates trailer tires? Mine usually dry rot long before they wear out.

You need to get out more!

B47 · 12-29-2013, 09:59 PM

So have we really answered the "who's right" portion of the OP question?

IMO we haven't and probably never will.

Personally I do rotate mine,but only because it's included in the tire purchase deal I buy.

Twisty · 12-29-2013, 10:01 PM

No one is right or wrong.
We all get to do what we think is best.

SaskCampers · 12-30-2013, 09:39 AM

I use plan b the X pattern. No particular reason, just because.

Oaklevel · 12-30-2013, 10:01 AM

The only trailer I have rotated tires in a tri axle, never rotated tires on duel axles & never seen any uneven wear (30 years of towing) but It can't hurt to rotate.

avolnek · 12-30-2013, 10:03 AM

Dangit Turbs... too early on a Monday for me to be thinking this hard!!! I like the idea of the "X pattern" that was shown on the first page. Reason for me thinking that way is you are not only switching the side of the trailer each and every tire was on but also switching the axle...

I tend to feel the way someone already mentioned that if the tires on a trailer are wearing badly, something is wrong.... Being that their isn't any steering involved and everything should be tracking true should there be any wear?

What causes the wear on our vehicles? Only thing that would/should cause un even wear that I can see is the toe in/out of the steering tires which is supposed to be there for added stability of the vehicle...

I know the shear weight of my buddies 7.3L power stroke eats tires too! (dang Fords!)

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