I have recently sold my Motorhome & Toad and I have bought a secondhand Jayco Journey 21.66 2019 model, dual axles on roller rocker suspension, it has a club lounge and a slide-out with a queen size bed.
The issue is that the tyres on the left hand side have worn substantially on the outside edge and the right hand side tyres are a worn a slightly more on the inside edge, so after checking all the measurements of the spring hangers to tow ball and everywhere else and fitting 4 new LT tyres and checking bushes etc, I noticed that the left hand side wheels are 10mm further apart than the right hand side wheels, so this meant that there was more weight on the right hand side where the Kitchen cabinetry, Oven and Microwave are and opposite on the left hand side of the van is just the fridge, so we will have to balanced the 'east west' loading with our food, clothing and other bits and pieces that we will be carrying.
The more weight on one side of the caravan will pull the wheels closer together and on the side with less weight will have the wheels further apart.
The effect is that my van is trying to turn right (ever so slightly) while it is being tow in a straight line and causing the irregular tyre wear.
My solution is to make sure we keep as much weight of what we are carrying on the left hand side and check the gap between the wheels as an indication, making sure we are not overloaded and the 'north south' are loaded correctly.
Anyway, we are travelling from Melbourne to Adelaide next week so i'll see how it works out.
Has anyone else had this issue with tyre wear in this situation, any comments by those who have a roller rocker suspension would be appreciated.
Hi Steel Dog,
Our van is a single axle & yes, I've had irregular wear on the LHS - I think road camber has something to do with it.
I had an alignment done at Warrnambool a few years ago - that helped quite a bit. He is "old school" but thorough. Give Alan Howden a call on 0409 616 732.
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Warren
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If you don't get it done today, there's always tomorrow!
Michael,
I had a new Jayco Starcraft single axle and in 5000km it wore the outer tread off the LH tyre.
Local agent said they would fix problem and supply free, a new tyre. Now I was keeping an eye on tyre wear, unlike before.
After 2000km, noticeable scuffing of outer tread on LH tyre.
Took van to an independent van repairer who found:
Jayco requirement for wheel alignment 2mm - 5mm toe in.
Actual alignment, LH wheel, 7mm and RH wheel 2mm toe in.
Repairer set LH toe in to zero and left RH toe in at 2mm.
Repairer believes toe in on that van at least, should be zero to 2mm.
Used that van for another 3 years with no more tyre wear probs.
By the way, when I contacted Jayco Service Manager at the time with photos of the abnormal tyre wear, he claimed this wear was due to tyre being underinflated and poor driving technique.
If I were you, I would get a competent, independent van repairer to look at your problem.
Cheers,
Roy.
Thanks Warren and Roy, I will take your advice and get it checked out.
I might be coming through Warrnambool on the way back from SA and if so I'll give Allen a call.
Your tyres will always wear quicker on the left hand side. I believe this is the camber of the road and every roundabout you go through the left tyres take the brunt. I regularly rotated the tyres. However, if it is extremely bad wear I would suggest a problem.
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Cheers
Col
(Picture of my beloved Molly (2003 - 2016) who loved the travels as much as I do. RIP old girl. Gone but never forgotten).
I wonder if the Springs on one side have flattened out a bit with load compared to the other side, this could change the distance between the tyres and also impact the good spring side re alignment.
If the caravan's loading affects its wheel alignment, so does one load the caravan to its most typical load and then get its wheel alignment done?
That makes sense but the alignment will change as you use your water or drink the beer! Getting the weights on each side as close as possible to equal would minimise the problem but you're never going to maintain alignment when your weights are changed. Symons knee suspension is the only suspension system I know of where your "axles" always are parellel. Cheers
-- Edited by yobarr on Monday 13th of February 2023 05:38:31 PM
yobarr re (Symons knee suspension ) I had a 17ft single axle caravan with a suspension same as or was a SKS, one spring flattened out and the tyre from memory was worn on the inside edge.
Realise theres no alignment adjustment! The axles need to be bent . A string line down the side ? Good spirit level should show whats out ? It must be bad as trailers dont wear too bad ? I usually have to replace mine due to age or driven when getting a flat ! By the time you stop ? Tyre is damaged ! Maybe try a little more tyre pressure ?
G'day Graeme,
I mentioned in my earlier post that the chap at Warrnambool was "old school", yes he bent my axle slightly. I suggested to Steel Dog that Alan is worth a call to see what he suggests.
I recall Possum suggested axle work in an earlier posting - haven't done a search to find it.
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Warren
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If you don't get it done today, there's always tomorrow!
