I was giving my 2 horse bumper pull trailer a good look at the other day and noticed, with alarm, that two of the four tires are quite worn. Pretty much bald. The tires and the trailer are only two years old and do not get THAT much use. About once per week for 5 months of the year plus about 5 horse shows per year. And strangely, it is the front tires (closest to the hitch) that are bald, the back ones still look brand new. Why on earth would they wear a) so much b) so unevenly??? 
I would hook it up lift the front axle off the ground and see if the tires spend freely. If you only have electric brakes on the front axle my guess would be the brake controller is set incorrectly and the trailer is stopping the truck and trailer or the brakes lock up with the slightest touch of the brakes.’
We had one incorrectly wired and when you turned on the lights the tires locked up.
A bent axle will also cause severe uneven wear. And it doesn’t take much of a bend.
Also lack of proper air pressure will cause uneven wear. I have seen it be significant (ahem, my very first car wherein I learned that lesson after a blowout caused by my neglect of this)
http://www.sundownertrailer.com/tlr-Charter_BPSE.html This is the kind of trailer it is, if it makes a difference. I have the brake controller dialed way down as I find the stop too abrupt otherwise. The suggestion that it is perhaps only wired to the front axle sounds like a likely candidate, I had to take it back a couple of times to get the wiring done properly so that the interior light went on. I will also check tire pressure (but then both fronts would have to have lost pressure and neither back tire) and check out the axle. One darn thing after another, isn’t it?
What was the wear pattern before they became bald? Rear springs might be shot-a good number of possibilities. Hold compass a little above the rear hubs, and have someone activate the brakes. Check the front ones too while you’re doing it, and see which ones are at least being activated. The compass needle will point toward the brake magnet when it’s activated.
Wasn’t it Sundowner that had the corrosion problems with aluminium coming into contact with steel and corroding ? I think I’d be under that trailer looking at bolts and attachment brackets etc…
I would take it to a good trailer shop and they can check all these things out. If it’s a bent axle it may be so slight you can’t eyeball it. I had one - discovered when they took off the tires and one was nearly bald on the very inside (where I couldn’t see it). They measured and it was only a few millimeters off.
Don’t mess around - find someone knowledgeable to figure out what the problem is.
I’m guessing the hitch elevation on your tow vehicle needs to be corrected.
If you make sharp turns when putting the trailer away, especially backing up, the 2 front tires can wear very fast. It has happened to me on several trailers.
I got my trailer serviced recently and they did a four wheel alignment. It drives much better now. They guy said that trailers are always out of alignment when he gets them.
I think that would cause uneven wear on the tires.
[QUOTE=JackW;8140612]
If you make sharp turns when putting the trailer away, especially backing up, the 2 front tires can wear very fast. It has happened to me on several trailers.[/QUOTE]
I could see that happening if you rode the brake and the trailer brake would cause those tires to lock up. But that should be readily visible to a bystander.
[QUOTE=Tom King;8139984]
What was the wear pattern before they became bald? Rear springs might be shot-a good number of possibilities. Hold compass a little above the rear hubs, and have someone activate the brakes. Check the front ones too while you’re doing it, and see which ones are at least being activated. The compass needle will point toward the brake magnet when it’s activated.[/QUOTE] True confession Tom, I don’t know. Lesson learned, pay attention more frequently. Cool idea re: the compass. I will do that this weekend.
[QUOTE=Equibrit;8139994]
Wasn’t it Sundowner that had the corrosion problems with aluminium coming into contact with steel and corroding ? I think I’d be under that trailer looking at bolts and attachment brackets etc…[/QUOTE] Yes, you are correct, that was a problem with a particular range of years. This trailer is newer and not within that range of years. Overall I am happy with this trailer.
[QUOTE=asterix;8140344]
I would take it to a good trailer shop and they can check all these things out. If it’s a bent axle it may be so slight you can’t eyeball it. I had one - discovered when they took off the tires and one was nearly bald on the very inside (where I couldn’t see it). They measured and it was only a few millimeters off.
Don’t mess around - find someone knowledgeable to figure out what the problem is.[/QUOTE]
Yup, I am definitely doing this. I just wanted a range of opinions so to ask about when I took it in. Thanks everyone for your helpful comments, I appreciate it.
The only thing I can think of that hasn’t been mentioned, but could contribute to this is balance. Do you keep all of your worldly possessions (plus hay and water) in the tack room?
