Constantly blowing tires

[Orangetxguy]

I knew someone that had this issue with an old 50' race trailer - he got tired of spending tons of money on tires and had a "friend of a friend" with an alignment shop check the alignment of the two axles to one another and found they were a couple degrees off, this caused some scrubbing of the tires which increased the heat a LOT ...

may not be the actual issue, but something to look into ... I don't know if the tires were ever "cupped" or not.

--Dave.

Best suggestion of the whole thread. The alignment shop at Kliens Truckstop in Fresno used to be really decent at trailer axle alignment.

[BuickTurbo]

Well, Some interesting info.


I used a tire pyrometer at every stop and I am getting consistent temperatures.

Running at 64/65 mph

1st 300 miles = 138 center of tread (all 4 tires)
95-110 on sidewalls
2nd 300 miles = (warmer part of the day) 138 center of tread
95-110 on sidewalls

The new tires were definitely an improvement. I could see out the rearviews that the tires were no longer bulging at ground contact, almost 90 degrees to the road surface.

The hot temps were in the 140-145 psi range. Which is about 10 psi less then before with the older tires.

Now that the tires will have the chance to cool off tonight, I will reset cold pressures in the am and take more temps for the finish run to Sonoma.

Thanks for all of the hints, advice, suggestions guys.

The alignment suggestion is a good one. I thought about that the other day. We will have a month off after this race and I will have time to have the alignment checked.

ps. Gotta love those Hwy 58 winds. Sheesh.

[roadranger]

Bridgestone sez normal temps are 150-180, anybody else out there have an opinion or observation as to OK temps? 180 seems a bit high to me? I usually "palm" the tires a couple times a day to see if they are all about the same, haven't burned myself yet!

[Bobby]

I would think if there was an alignment problem that tire or axel would run hotter if the tires were scuffing ?

Did you ever check to see how old the tires were that came off the trailer ?

[BuickTurbo]

Bobby,


They were from last season, so about a year old. I'm told that the replacements were usually used tires so there you go.

Now it's only new sneakers....and new only.

[Bobby]

Just remember how to read the DOT codes on all your tires ( Car or truck ) and you'll know just how old they are.

Good Luck

[klleetrucking]

Mr. Turbo, I'm sure you've checked out what the other guys at your events are using on their haulers, what's their story?
How 'bout some pics of your race cars (please) and a pic of that BMF Buick you've got.
Good luck on the tire issues. Being a racecar guy you absolutley know that you use the best parts to get to the other end.

[headborg]

yeah, constantly blowing tires my wife out too....

[jroqueman]

Ar there any abnormal wear patterns on your tires? I am running a mobile alignment business and that was my first thought. You should have your alignment checked. For the small price of having your trailer aligned properly, you just might take care of some of these issues. Your fuel mileage might increase as well if you are pulling a straight unit, vs one whose axles are fighting each other all of the time.

[BuickTurbo]

Sorry for the delay on reply.

This has been an interesting season so far. The tractor trailer is currently in Virginia getting a replacement hub on the rear forward left axle. Little smoke, little fire.

Most of the....let me take that back. ALL of the other race trailers have dual tandems. Most of those trailers have NACADUCTS to force air into the wheel cavity. No one is blowing on dual tandems.

I also came to the genius conclusion that the rims, being of a soild - non vented design are also a BIG part of the problem.

The tires (1 month old now) are not showing any abnormal wear. The alignment has been checked and she is true.

I also believe the heat trapped in the well caused the hub oil reservoir to melt. Fluid leaked out, bearing failed, got hot, fluid caught fire.

It wasn't a huge fire, just a nice quick billow. I pulled over and dusted it with the kidde.

Some things are going to have to change if I continue with this job. I truey love driving and would hate to go back to the old profession, but my safety and those around me are my primary concern. Not how fast and cheaply I get to the track.

[WarHorse]

Maybe the fire issue will push the powers that be towards listening to you. One can hope.

I love your avatar on Texas Street Cars. I can't find a pic of your Buick, though.

How the heck do you get 80+ hp out of each cylinder? :shock:

[BuickTurbo]

Well, the turbo is about the same size as the one found on the C15!

[BuickTurbo]

I will post pics as soon as I can figure out how. All forums seem to have different formats.




Here's the truck...i hope. All of the red has been removed as it was deemed "too busy" by all of us.[/img][/code]

[BuickTurbo]

Two of our cars, the close one before it was wrapped by Skinz.

[BuickTurbo]

Nice slow 12.1 pass on 20 psi.

[BuickTurbo]

Here's the trailer.

[WarHorse]

Well, the turbo is about the same size as the one found on the C15!

Ye gods!

Cool pix, thanks. I'll definitely holler if I see you on the road.

[Orangetxguy]

Ive seen that truck !!

[BuickTurbo]

Ive seen that truck !!

We changed the picture on the back. We now have a pic of a 430 cruising on a back mountain road - super high resolution. It's nice, but the big problem now is that people take flash pictures of it while I'm driving at dusk. Freaks me out. Then when I pass a 4-wheeler they speed up to get a good look. Then I can't merge back over - really ticks me off, but I guess that's the price you pay.