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special k · Joined: 10 Jul 2005 Posts: 253 Location: Ontario Canada

I run 12/80R22.5's on my trailer singled out like yours. Our axle weight is around 13000 lbs. I run 16 ply Bridgestone R250's and don't have any issues. You could go to a 315/80R22.5 on a 9" wide rim or there is a actual coach wheel and rim that a lot of guys are running on their front axles. The tire is a Michelin XZE 365/70R22.5 and the rim is around 10" wide. Those last two sizes are good for about 16,000 to 18,000 lbs per axle.

BuickTurbo · Joined: 07 Dec 2007 Posts: 28 Location: Dallas, Texas

Thanks for the info.

I cut the fender bolsters off the trailer today to open up the wheel wells. Hopefully this will let the area breathe a little more.

roadranger · Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2008 9:26 pm Post subject:

The tire manufacturer should have a chart of proper air pressure for the actual load you have (once you get her scaled). For general use we usually run a fixed (high) pressure since it is too much trouble to set the pressure differently with different loads but in your case you should be able to set them for your actual weight and get better ride and wear from them. Also check to see if you can use 11R22.5's instead as I think the 12's generally have a lower speed rating and run hotter? Plus the 11's are the most common size. Four 11's are only good for about 24k total though - but it sounds like you are under that? For sure go through a truckstop scale and see where you are at on axle weights!

roadranger · Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2008 9:37 pm Post subject: Re: Constantly blowing tires

BuickTurbo wrote: ...about 36k loaded. [...] So the tires allow about 30k total, my guess is it's overweight. Is 6K lbs enough to constantly blow rubber?
Almost half your weight should be on the hitch and not on the trailer axles if you are using a fifth wheel hitch and a single axle dually tractor with at least a 20k rear - so you should only have about 20k on the trailer tandems!

DaveFromColorado · Joined: 23 Feb 2008 Posts: 75 Location: Chaska, MN

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.

Orangetxguy · Joined: 23 Jan 2007 Posts: 1926

DaveFromColorado wrote: 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 · Joined: 07 Dec 2007 Posts: 28 Location: Dallas, Texas

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 · Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2008 10:36 pm Post subject:

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 · Joined: 01 Apr 2006 Posts: 161 Location: Ca.

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 · Joined: 07 Dec 2007 Posts: 28 Location: Dallas, Texas

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 · Joined: 01 Apr 2006 Posts: 161 Location: Ca.

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 · Joined: 16 Dec 2007 Posts: 57 Location: Dalzell,S.C.

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 · Joined: 06 Nov 2007 Posts: 1221

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

jroqueman · Joined: 24 Jun 2006 Posts: 200 Location: Ohio

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 · Joined: 07 Dec 2007 Posts: 28 Location: Dallas, Texas

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.

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