For many 4×4 owners, one of the primary benefits of owning a vehicle so powerful is its ability to be used as a tow, either for commercial purposes or to carry a mobile home. However, even with an incredibly sturdy chassis and the best suspension upgrades in the world, if you use that tow frequently enough then it’s going to have an impact on your vehicle.
While towing without the proper tools and practices can damage your fuel economy and lead to potential breakdowns, perhaps one of the most obvious and damaging effects is uneven tyre wear. This might not seem like a big deal on the surface but it can lead to a snowball effect that could end up setting you back a fair chunk of change in repair costs.
What causes uneven tyre wear?
Misalignment – The most common culprit of uneven tyre wear is misaligned trailer wheels and misaligned axles on the vehicle itself. In the case of the former, if the wheels on the trailer (or caravan) you’re carrying are misaligned it can cause the tyres to wear on the side that has to work harder to keep everything stable. In the case of the latter, the same is true, so if you even suspect there might be misalignment at play then get it sorted ASAP.
Speed – It should surely go without saying that you should perhaps consider putting the brakes on a little when towing something heavy. But still, some think the laws of physics don’t apply to them; those who will regularly go over the speed limit (particularly on the motorway) even when towing a heavy load.
Overloading – If you overload your vehicle or whatever it’s carrying, the axles will eventually buckle under the strain and start to bend and this will have a massive impact on your wheels.
Preventative measures
While there is always going to be an element of wear and tear there is a practical list of things you can do to mitigate the damage and keep your 4×4 looking and driving like new for longer.
- Ensure that your wheels and axles are properly aligned.
- Don’t exceed the recommended load capacity of your vehicle and trailer.
- Set the height of your trailer or caravan correctly.
- Ensure there is no previous axle damage to the towing vehicle.
- Install a towing mirror so you can see what’s going on back there at all times.
Of course, over time your tyres will regrettably wear away, but if they do so unevenly it can lead to an incredibly dangerous situation. So, whenever you’re setting up your tow in future, go through the above in your mind and always inspect your tyres closely before every drive. If you need to replace the tyres, meanwhile, always ensure that the tyres are uniform on your front and rear axles as this will also lead to a dangerous uneven driving situation.
Image: Dimitrina Lavchieva / Shutterstock.com
