Padlin
W. Ma.
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I noticed the 3 yr old tires on my single axle trailer are getting scalloped, has anyone seen similar and have any idea what it might be from? The arrow is obviously the rotation, you can see the scallops behind the outer most treads. They stick up about 1/8". 
The trailer has a GVWR of 3700, which I pretty much max out as the trailer weighs just under 3500 with full, liquids and the 2 batteries. Add our stuff and we are darn close to the 3700. The tires in question are TowMax ST II Power Kings, ST205/75D14 with a max load rating of 1760. Going by this I'm over loaded on the tires that it came with (first set of Towmax's swapped under warranty for cracking sidewalls at 2 years). I have roughly 15-20k on the tires.
Looking at replacing with Maxxis but am concerned about which size/load rating to get. Their ST205/75R14's are the same 1760 lbs. I'd have to go up to an ST215/75R14 to cover the 1850 it looks like I need. If I go to 215's how can I tell if I need new rims?
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mike77leprechaun
Ishpeming, MI
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nature of the beast with 3 yr. old inexpensive chinese tires... I'm not a china tire hater like some on here it's just to be expected with them. I think you'll be happy with the maxxis
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tankerdude4570
na
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The lugs on tires typically wear on the back side (the end of the lug that comes off the ground first in it's rotation) off first.
The Chinese aspect may have something to do with it in the area of rubber compound, but so does air pressure, staying within the load range the tire was made for, and axle alignment.
For the record, this doesn't look like a low pressure, overload, or alignment problem.
Swap the tires side-to-side and run 'em until they're shot.
Then get some new tires in the next higher load rating, and continue to swap 'em side-to-side every now and then.
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skipnchar
Topeka or somewhere else
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Looks like a balancing issue to me. Trailer tires require dynamic balancing as the center hole is not always precisely placed. I'm no tire tech by any means but that would be my guess.
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JJBIRISH
Butler, PA, USA
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Cupping is usually associated with worn suspensions parts or bearings, and could be a balance issue, but if it is all around the tire it is not likely a balance problem… balance problems are usually more segmented
It also looks like second rib wear that could be caused by a belts edge in relation the tread width, some second rib wear is common and expected with radial tires…it can also be caused by a mismatched tire, rim, and load to or wrong air pressures…
In your case I think it is a combination of several things, and replacing the tires nay or may not solve the problem…
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Padlin
W. Ma.
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Pressure should not be an issue, checked before each trip and I only find it off a bit after winter storage. May be balancing, the amount of wear is more evident on one side of the tire.
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JJBIRISH
Butler, PA, USA
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If I were you I would check spring bushings and hangers and the wheel bearings closely…
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Chuck&Gail
In the Colorado Mountains
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I think balance. As fas as I've seen, all trailers come with unbalanced tires, so first thing buyer needs to do is balance them.
A word on weight. If TT weighs 3700#, you should ideally have 481# on the tongue. Any less than 370# and you are asking for sway problems. So 3700 - 370 = 3330#, or 1,665# per tire. I think SIZE of current tires are ok.
Rim psi or load rating usually stamped on rear, or in valley UNDER the tire.
Note in 205/75/15, rims are usually 5 or 5.5" rim width (inside to inside of rim, where beads hit). 215/75/15 requires 6" rim width. Same for 14", I do not know, sory, but it likely is.
Chuck
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camping man
Central Fla.
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I say balance or shock absorbers, not a whole else that would cause that on trailer.
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Huntindog
phoenix arizona USA
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I doubt that this is the problem. I would weigh it fully loaded. It would be most unlikely that you only add 200# for a trip.
If the unusual wear isn't causing any other problems, then don't worry about it. At 3 years old they are on the downhill side of their life expectancy. They look like they will age out long before the tread is gone.
Huntindog
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