Tires: Unusual Tire Wear on 05 F150, inch segments, drainage channel

Question

DSC03414.jpg I recently purchased an 2005 F150.  I am getting a lot of road noise from the tires.  I think typical feathering usually runs horizontal along the direction of tread, but I have what looks to be feathering running the other direction at the edge of the tire along the one inch segments separated by the drainage channels.  I was told it was cupping, but it looks more to be a feathering to me.  The tires are Hancock Dynapro AS P235/70 R17.  Anyway the edge that sticks up (and I guess catches wind) measures approximately 3/16, and then the rubber slopes down to the drainage channel and repeats with the next segment.  I can't believe that could cause all the road noise.  I rotated the tires, but I find some of the same element on all, so it did not help.  What is causing this, and what is the cure?   Thanks, I appreciate your help.

Answer
Phil,

There's a long involved explanation, but the short version is alignment.

Misalignment in a vehicle will cause some unusual wear patterns and that comes out as noise or vibration - noise being just a higher frequency than what we would feel though your hands and seat.

The problem is that fixing the alignment doesn't undo what been done to the tires.  

So you kind of have 2 choices after you get the alignment:

1)  Live with the tires you have now.  They might get a bit better, but they could also get a bit worse.

2)  Get new tires and start fresh.