Hello-

I recently purchased a 1999 Adam steel 2 horse gooseneck trailer. It’s a great trailer for me. It is 7’ high, 6’ wide and 21’ long. The GVWR is 7000 with 2, 3500 axels. It has a normal amount of light surface rust, but the floor is solid, we’ve started to patch it up and it hauls behind my 2010 Dodge 1500 just great.

Once I got it home, I saw that the front tire on the driver’s side has unusual wear compared to the others… it is balding on the outer edge and looks a little wonky. I was looking at tire wear pictures at Wally-world and noticed that the wear pattern I saw on the trailer fit in the “possible mechanical difficulty” range… A diesel mechanic friend looked at it and felt it was probably a bent axel.  

I called an alignment shop in Clarksville, TN (where I live) to see if they could bend the axel back in line or fix it as well as replace the tired for me.

They can – the shop owner suggested that replacing the axel(s) would be cheaper and safer in the long run.  

Okay- so, do I have to replace both if only one looks off, or is is better to just replace both?

How do I know what size axel(s) to order, and are there any reliable suppliers you all could recommend?

Is this somethng an alignment shop has to do, or could a regular mechanic do it? Is there a better option (othr than selling the trailer!)?

I can take a picture if you need it.

Thanks!

Great thoughts- thanks-

According to the paperwork that came with the trailer, the tires were purchased in 2006- and should be replaced anyway, especially since they're Carlisles.

From what I understand from conversations- I did not know the owner before the purchase, so I can't be sure of the information- The previous owner had the trailer since 1999 and hauled an average of 2x a month, but mostly within the state... not huge trips...some camping, some showing. I don't think she used it much 6-8 months becasue she purchased an aluminum to replace this one.

I want to haul 1-2 times a month- mostly for local shows (within 80 miles) and lessons/clinics (within 50 miles).

The passenger side tires look so much better... here are some pictures.

I appreciate the insight!

I had the axle on my trailer straighten in the late fall of 2010.  It has held up just fine for almost two years. So I wouldn't just accept the replace instead of straighten.

It cost me $80 per axle to get my straightened and aligned. It is cheap enough to try and if it doesn't work, Then you can buy/replace the axle.

If you want to replace yours, Just get a replacement 3500lb axle,

Thanks Painted Horse, it's good to hear form someone who's been there.

I am having a difficult time convincing my husband that it would be best to replace all 4 tires just because of age... not having to replace an axle would help my cause quite a bit.

Do you all think a mechanic can do it, or do I have to take it to an alignment place?

Maybe I'll call a couple of places and try to price it out.

I suspect you will need a shop that has an alignment rack. And one that is big enough to get the trailer on. For my large gooseneck, that ment a shop that focused on large truck alignments. 

They will attach the lazer light to each wheel and determine what is out of alignment before they bend it straight. The shop I went today, said it was pretty common problem with lighter boat axles.  Owners backing over curbs etc.

May not be bent at all... I had one that was new that I thought was bent, but the spindle was welded on at he wrong angle instead... Mfg. swapped out a new axle along with new brakes and related hardware, tires and rims, trailer was under warranty.

  If I were you I would replace the tires before bending or trying to align the axles. It may be possible that it's a Carlisle tire related problem.... Rotate tire in a couple years and by the next rotatation they will need replacing again, tires will be aged out....

Thanks - I feel much better about the situation knowing other trailerists have looked at the photos.

Okay- after searching the forum, I am looking for LT tires.

I found some Firestone Destination LE2 - for a great price

http://www.tirebuyer.com/tires/firestone/destination-le2/p/tv107000426

They’re rated a 102 - 1874*4=7496. My trailer's GVWR is 7000. Is that okay or do I need to move up to 106 (2094)? Or, should I be looking at another factor altogether?

I could not find Retento's suggestions from another post in my size- 225/75/15

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Thanks PaulChristenson (and Kay)- the filter was a great tool. I am just not sure I want "trailer" tires.

I really think gard and others make some good points about American made, LT tires vs. ST tires. I’ve had some scary experiences with re-treads and Carlisle’s having blowouts on a friend’s stock trailer- before I had my own. But, it was always in the heat of summer, and I can’t say she took great care of her trailer tires - maybe it was user fault more than tire type…  

I know on the tirebuyer site I found, the Firestone are listed as "P" - but they don't have a "P" on tireack.com and they are considered a truck/SUV tire on the Firestone site. Do I have to find a tire that has “LT” on the sidewall?

Or, do I really need ST tires- I am not hauling far, and I have the smaller, 15”, rim- maybe ST tires would be fine for me. As long as they’re not Carlisle’s, maybe an ST tire is best.

I just have this nagging voice telling me to go with an LT.  

If the tires rated 102 aren’t enough for my 7000 GVWR trailer, I was looking at these tires rated at 106- http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Pirelli&tireModel=Scorpion+STR+A&partnum=275R5SCORSTROWLXL&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

Am I barking up the wrong tree altogether?