Sick and tired of inner tire wear!

**tanker4lyfe** · 03-03-2021, 08:35 PM

2012 Cougar FTD.
This is an issue that really needs to be addressed. Had serious inner tire wear issues so forked out the money for two brand new full axles with carriers. Bought all new GY Endurance tires and always run correct tire pressure. Carrier bolts have been upgraded to grade 8 and are torqued to spec. Tires probably have 10,000 miles and already have to replace two of them due to horrible inner tire wear. These hubs just do not hold up to the weight of these boats plain and simple. I can see with my own eyes that they camber in. Everything is tight and there is no play. What gives?
Have read that in 2012 BC had alot of trailer issues so what's the solution other than wrap this thing around a tree and call it good?

**JINXBASS** · 03-03-2021, 09:45 PM

I too had the same issues. It was either bent axle of bent spindles. My spindles were loose every trip. I bit the bullet and ordered 2 new axles and 4 end units. I have somewhere between 8-10k miles and everything looks good. I have checked the spindles about every month and they have been tight. I think that if they ever get loose they damage and wear the teeth and will never be right. Unfortunately it took a while for this issue to show itself and by that time it is too late. It cost me but I am glad I did it for peace of mind.

If you have any other questions I will try and help.

**tanker4lyfe** · 03-03-2021, 10:05 PM

My axles and spindles (teeth are fine) Since I installed them new I have checked them every few trips and they have never been loose. That is why it's so frustrating.

**PumaDave** · 03-04-2021, 05:40 AM

Originally Posted by tanker4lyfe

2012 Cougar FTD.
This is an issue that really needs to be addressed. Had serious inner tire wear issues so forked out the money for two brand new full axles with carriers. Bought all new GY Endurance tires and always run correct tire pressure. Carrier bolts have been upgraded to grade 8 and are torqued to spec. Tires probably have 10,000 miles and already have to replace two of them due to horrible inner tire wear. These hubs just do not hold up to the weight of these boats plain and simple. I can see with my own eyes that they camber in. Everything is tight and there is no play. What gives?
Have read that in 2012 BC had alot of trailer issues so what's the solution other than wrap this thing around a tree and call it good?

Take it to a reliable trailer shop that does trailer alignments. They will determine what is wrong. Sounds like something is bent or misaligned.

**Cullbynoon** · 03-04-2021, 06:14 AM

Might not be your answer. I had this issue in a single axle Champion and after I had new tires put on I had them balanced and was good to go. No issues after.

**Bass Cat Boats** · 03-04-2021, 06:49 AM

Yes, this is the answer. The axle splined shafts are likely bent and the idlers accentuate that amount of bend, behind further out and multiple angles on parts makes the bend exponential.

Also, it is possible to bend the actual axle, resetting the caster and camber. Most don’t have access to I beam benders used on big truck steer axles and small vehicles just don’t have I beam steer axles requiring that equipment today. If you have a truck shop it’s worth a visit.

While everyone wants them, there are multiple times we have expressed our dissatisfaction with torsion axles. When you hit something the forces on parts are multiplied and the axles are weaker with the bends and angles of parts. It’s just geometry and how it all works.

BCB

Originally Posted by JINXBASS

I too had the same issues. It was either bent axle of bent spindles. My spindles were loose every trip. I bit the bullet and ordered 2 new axles and 4 end units. I have somewhere between 8-10k miles and everything looks good. I have checked the spindles about every month and they have been tight. I think that if they ever get loose they damage and wear the teeth and will never be right. Unfortunately it took a while for this issue to show itself and by that time it is too late. It cost me but I am glad I did it for peace of mind.

If you have any other questions I will try and help.

**billius** · 03-04-2021, 07:36 AM

Take it to a big truck shop that does alignment on semi tractors. They will figure out the issue. I had the same issue you have with a trailer that came with a Venture I had back in the 80's. The issue began almost right away after I bought the boat new. The truck alignment shop found the axle was bent in 3 places. They straightened it out and it was fine there after.

**lostone** · 03-05-2021, 04:23 PM

Question for BCB.
Can you order a trailer with leaf springs instead of torsion axles?

**TNTroy** · 03-05-2021, 06:16 PM

I'm having the same issue and don't know where to start. Mine was built in the fall of '12. It seems like the hub over the spline loosens and I have to take the wheels off monthly to tighten. I've been through 4 sets of tires it's real p.i.a . Any relationship to the manufacturing time? Can it be fixed and what's needed? Love the boat...hate the trailer.

**Bass Cat Boats** · 03-05-2021, 08:27 PM

Hate the axles would be a more appropriate term.

are you the original owner?

**tanker4lyfe** · 03-05-2021, 09:30 PM

Originally Posted by Bass Cat Boats

Hate the axles would be a more appropriate term.

are you the original owner?

Not the original owner but have all new parts on this trailer. I have never curbed it or anything else abnormal. Just extremely frustrating. This should not happen with a quality trailer.

**Bass Cat Boats** · 03-05-2021, 10:33 PM

New axles also?

**Eyra1** · 03-05-2021, 11:07 PM

Originally Posted by tanker4lyfe

Not the original owner but have all new parts on this trailer. I have never curbed it or anything else abnormal. Just extremely frustrating. This should not happen with a quality trailer.

Sorry to read about this. Been down the same road you’re on concerning a 2015 trailer. Yes, one can hate a trailer.

**Macsimus** · 03-06-2021, 08:07 AM

Well, add me to the completely frustrated list. I would love to know just who is clamoring for torsion axles. My previous boat had spring axles and I never had one thought about them for the 13 years I owned it and I dragged that boat all over the middle of the country from LOTW Ontario to Falcon Lake.

**TNTroy** · 03-06-2021, 08:13 PM

I am the original owner. I'd appreciate any advice on how to rule out potential causes. Thanks

**Bass Cat Boats** · 03-06-2021, 10:28 PM

TNTroy,

then we assume the axles have not been replaced, though running gear has.

**tanker4lyfe** · 03-06-2021, 10:53 PM

Originally Posted by Bass Cat Boats

New axles also?

Yes

**1781ccT** · 03-07-2021, 09:49 AM

Originally Posted by Bass Cat Boats

New axles also?

I don’t mean to butt in, but it’s in the original post.

**Bass Cat Boats** · 03-07-2021, 10:40 AM

1781ccT,
Yes, though some people assume the idlers are axles also, when the axle extends across the entire frame underneath. We’ve seldom seen axles replaced and often that’s where the wear and bent part is. We want to be clear that the axle as well as parts are all new, then we can work to address this issue.

**tanker4lyfe** · 03-07-2021, 01:33 PM

Originally Posted by Bass Cat Boats

1781ccT,
Yes, though some people assume the idlers are axles also, when the axle extends across the entire frame underneath. We’ve seldom seen axles replaced and often that’s where the wear and bent part is. We want to be clear that the axle as well as parts are all new, then we can work to address this issue.

Yes everything is new. Purchased the axles from you guys in April of 2018.

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Sick and tired of inner tire wear!