Towed Vehicle Tires

[Retired_VSP]

Just returned from Alaska, 11,039 miles to be exact. ...towed a Honda Accord. Noticed tires on the Accord are rough riding. 4,100 actual miles and 17,000 mIles tow. Now I've been told from my tire tech that all four tires are cupped due to being towed...tires only 16 months old. Accord has been towed total of 30,000 miles no problems. Last set of tires rode rough but I thought it was caused by age...these are B.F. Goodrich new tires. Guess I'll be buying tires...hmmm.

[ArchHoagland]

Retired VSP wrote:

ArchHoagland wrote:
You mentioned rough riding...what is the tire pressure set at on those tires?

Door recommended info has 32 front and 30 rear...I thought about increasing that to maybe smooth out a little.

Increasing the tire pressure will make it ride rougher.

If you are going to replace the tires, go to Michelin tires. They ride smoother.

[Retired_VSP]

ArchHoagland wrote:
You mentioned rough riding...what is the tire pressure set at on those tires?

Door recommended info has 32 front and 30 rear...I thought about increasing that to maybe smooth out a little.

[ArchHoagland]

You mentioned rough riding...what is the tire pressure set at on those tires?

[time2roll]

Cupping is usually balance and/or shocks. Any clumps of mud inside the wheels to make them bounce?

[Retired_VSP]

bjbear wrote:

hipower wrote:
That's a BS opinion. A rolling tire doesn't know if is being driven or towed.

Certainly this is true from the perspective of the axle and tire, but there may be a difference with respect to the steering and suspension.

When driving, the power steering is controlling the wheels. When towing, the wheels are acting like castors and without the force applied by the power steering, it may be possible that there is enough play and they are oscillating back and forth. May not be evident from the drivers seat, but it may be enough to cup the tires over time.

This can be especially true if the Honda Accord has electric steering. It is well documented that the feedback from the electric steering can cause a wobble to set up in some vehicles.

That's the way it was explained by my tire tech...this could be a combination of alignment and failing to rotate also, before the Alaska trip....lesson learned. B F Goodrich did advise me that there may be something they can offer me since the tires only have low milage.and they are softer rubber ..thanks everyone for your thoughts on this.

[tommy_g]

bjbear wrote:

hipower wrote:
That's a BS opinion. A rolling tire doesn't know if is being driven or towed.

Certainly this is true from the perspective of the axle and tire, but there may be a difference with respect to the steering and suspension.

When driving, the power steering is controlling the wheels. When towing, the wheels are acting like castors and without the force applied by the power steering, it may be possible that there is enough play and they are oscillating back and forth. May not be evident from the drivers seat, but it may be enough to cup the tires over time.

This can be especially true if the Honda Accord has electric steering. It is well documented that the feedback from the electric steering can cause a wobble to set up in some vehicles.

I have towed my Accord for over 70,000 miles. This has included the life span of three sets of Michelins(the car has another 160,000 non-towed miles). The tires have been rotated regularly and my alignment has been checked and adjusted when needed. There is no difference in the wear on my tires due to towing.....NONE.

[bjbear]

hipower wrote:
That's a BS opinion. A rolling tire doesn't know if is being driven or towed.

Certainly this is true from the perspective of the axle and tire, but there may be a difference with respect to the steering and suspension.

When driving, the power steering is controlling the wheels. When towing, the wheels are acting like castors and without the force applied by the power steering, it may be possible that there is enough play and they are oscillating back and forth. May not be evident from the drivers seat, but it may be enough to cup the tires over time.

This can be especially true if the Honda Accord has electric steering. It is well documented that the feedback from the electric steering can cause a wobble to set up in some vehicles.

[Executive45]

hipower wrote:
That's a BS opinion. A rolling tire doesn't know if is being driven or towed.

As a rule, that is true. However, if the OP's towing setup is not correct, (too high, too low, etc.) the car would not be towed the same as being driven. I've seen some strange towing setups over the years. Often you simply shake your head wondering what they were thinking....Dennis

[hipower]

That's a BS opinion. A rolling tire doesn't know if is being driven or towed.

[wa8yxm]

I have towed many thousand of miles w/o problems

Cupping suggests a problem.. LIkely alignment..

NOTE: Many people will see the tow gear and say "Ah, An Excuse so I don't have to fix it"

[dougrainer]

Retired VSP wrote:
Just returned from Alaska, 11,039 miles to be exact. ...towed a Honda Accord. Noticed tires on the Accord are rough riding. 4,100 actual miles and 17,000 mIles tow. Now I've been told from my tire tech that all four tires are cupped due to being towed...tires only 16 months old. Accord has been towed total of 30,000 miles no problems. Last set of tires rode rough but I thought it was caused by age...these are B.F. Goodrich new tires. Guess I'll be buying tires...hmmm.

BF Goodrich tires have soft rubber. More likely to wear, especially if the Car was not correctly aligned. Ask your Tire tech what is different towing than driving?????? What does towing have to do with tire damage. The Auto is just following you. Doug

[Beverley_Ken]

No issue with the tires on the Accord or CRV from towing or otherwise.

Ken

[fyrflie]

Alignment problem

[Mandalay_Parr]

I've towed mine 80,000 miles and no tire problems.