A couple of weeks ago I posted elsewhere that we yet again have a tyre wear problem.

In 2014 the tyre on the door side of our Eriba displayed sudden tyre wear to the outside of the tread. So much so that we changed it there and then. We estimated that the tyres had done about 15,000 miles but were coming up to their 5 year age limit.

When we got home, we purchased a new set of three tyres. They were about 50 quid each. Now the same pattern of wear is prevalent on the current tyres but this time it's the NON- door side. Again, we estimate that the tyres have done about 15,000 miles but are only 3 years old.

Without reopening the debate about tyre ratings etc, we are driving on tyre sizes as recommended and fitted to the van originally, including load ratings, and are running at about 3 bar hot, as per more recent recommendations. The max. tyre pressure rating is about 4 bar so we are well within the tyre's limits.

Wheel bearings are OK and the wheels are not running hot and are only warm to touch when we stop. There appears to be no throw in the wheels when revolving and the wheels are balanced.

Any ideas?

Wear is on outside of tyre :- IMG_3869.JPG - Bild entfernt (keine Rechte) Same tyre revolved by 90% IMG_3870.JPG - Bild entfernt (keine Rechte)

Wear is uneven. Not quite a flat spot as it's about 30% of the circumference.

Randa

When the tyres were replaced, were the wheels taken off the van and put back on again one at a time, or all at once?

In other words, could the wheels have changed position on the van?

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As it has happened on different sides it cannot be the geometry of van, worn bearings, damaged stub axle etc.
I can think of three things that could possibly show the problem:-
- the tyres are directional and have not been fitted to take this into consideration
- you have towed for 15,000 miles on English roads and then 15,000 miles on mainland Europe roads
- van has been repeated loaded with a bias towards one side for 15,000 miles, and then for the next 15,000 loaded exactly opposite

If the source is one of the above I would go with the first.

Colin

Last point post #3 above looks promising.

Three interesting replies. Thanks for those.

Regarding wheel interchanging, could possibly be as I took them down there and re-fitted the wheels myself.

Directional? Good point. . Road camber is another good point although I would guess that about 80% would be in mainland Europe.

I wonder how many miles a caravan tyre is expected to do bearing in mind the primitive suspension?

Randa

I'd go with Robin's suggestion and get the wheel with the worn tyre checked. I reckon the uneven wear is following the wheel round the van, which is why I wondered if they'd swapped location inadvertently.

It's only wearing on one part of the tyre's circumference, which would point to a damaged wheel.

If it was a directional tyre fitted inside out or something to do with loading, the wear would be evenly distributed. It isn't anything to do with the road camber, either.

Duff wheel.

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I can get it down to a 50/50 chance as both road wheels are painted black while the spare wheel is silver. It is not the silver wheel that's giving the problem.

I'm replacing the tyre on Thursday so I'll ask them to take a look. I'm going to have to take both road wheels down aren't I as I don't want a new tyre fitted to a duff wheel. As all the wheels were balanced the last time I changed all three' wouldn't it have shown up then?

Randa

Quote: Randa france wrote in post #7

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I can get it down to a 50/50 chance as both road wheels are painted black while the spare wheel is silver. It is not the silver wheel that's giving the problem.

I'm replacing the tyre on Thursday so I'll ask them to take a look. I'm going to have to take both road wheels down aren't I as I don't want a new tyre fitted to a duff wheel. As all the wheels were balanced the last time I changed all three' wouldn't it have shown up then?

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Quote: hob wrote in post #11

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Speaking of wheels and probably not that relevant here as Roger doesn't use his spare wheel carrier I have for the second time in a year had to break the lock off my carrier to get the spare out so now I don't use one ............. how likely is it someone will want to nick my spare? so now I use this.

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Quote: hob wrote in post #13

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I can bring you one to the meet if you like.

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