Trailer axle alignment, DO IT NOW.
Thread Starter
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Cross-Country
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 68
Likes: 2
From: Stanton, Ca.
Trailer axle alignment, DO IT NOW.
Yesterday I had my trailer axles aligned as they scrubbed the tires off in less than 3000 miles on the inside edges. The front axle seemed to be worse than the rear.
I finally found a place that said they would try it and he spent 3 hours on it and said that the rear axle had 3/4 of an inch of toe out on both wheels.
He said that the wheels were at least 6 degrees of camber on average.
They spent 3 hours on it and said that it was all better.
First thing I noticed was on the drive home I was on a section between a set of lights and when I let off to coast to the red light it was about a 1/4 mile section and it only lost like 4 mph in that section and you could feel that the drag was way less.
My instant MPH on the dash showed 11.4 on the way there, and on the way home it was up to 12.9 and I hadn't even reset it. I have never seen it change it that much while towing before.
I feel the $195 I spend for the work will come back fast in MPG at that rate.
As soon as purchase my new set of tires and I go on my next trip I will report back on any improvements.
I finally found a place that said they would try it and he spent 3 hours on it and said that the rear axle had 3/4 of an inch of toe out on both wheels.
He said that the wheels were at least 6 degrees of camber on average.
They spent 3 hours on it and said that it was all better.
First thing I noticed was on the drive home I was on a section between a set of lights and when I let off to coast to the red light it was about a 1/4 mile section and it only lost like 4 mph in that section and you could feel that the drag was way less.
My instant MPH on the dash showed 11.4 on the way there, and on the way home it was up to 12.9 and I hadn't even reset it. I have never seen it change it that much while towing before.
I feel the $195 I spend for the work will come back fast in MPG at that rate.
As soon as purchase my new set of tires and I go on my next trip I will report back on any improvements.
Thread Starter
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Cross-Country
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 68
Likes: 2
From: Stanton, Ca.
One of the more basic checks I seen him do is they had a straight edge placed on the side of the tire and measured the front and back part of it to the side of the frame maybe to get a baseline I guess.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
Many of the new models now have a kit for alignment. I don't know if you can retro it. Have not seen one close up.
Steve
Steve
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Thread Starter
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Cross-Country
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 68
Likes: 2
From: Stanton, Ca.
They just bend the tubes. My thought on it was the mounts on the frame have to be welded in the wrong place as my trailer is only 5 years old.
If I were to spend say $600 on new axles what would change? This way I know they are straight.
If I were to spend say $600 on new axles what would change? This way I know they are straight.
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Prolocutor
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 13,618
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From: Western MA
Here is the dual axle kit, part # 87220. They make a triple axle version as well which is part number 87320.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 17,988
Likes: 207
From: La La Land
Yesterday I had my trailer axles aligned as they scrubbed the tires off in less than 3000 miles on the inside edges. The front axle seemed to be worse than the rear.
I finally found a place that said they would try it and he spent 3 hours on it and said that the rear axle had 3/4 of an inch of toe out on both wheels.
He said that the wheels were at least 6 degrees of camber on average.
They spent 3 hours on it and said that it was all better.
First thing I noticed was on the drive home I was on a section between a set of lights and when I let off to coast to the red light it was about a 1/4 mile section and it only lost like 4 mph in that section and you could feel that the drag was way less.
My instant MPH on the dash showed 11.4 on the way there, and on the way home it was up to 12.9 and I hadn't even reset it. I have never seen it change it that much while towing before.
I feel the $195 I spend for the work will come back fast in MPG at that rate.
As soon as purchase my new set of tires and I go on my next trip I will report back on any improvements.
I finally found a place that said they would try it and he spent 3 hours on it and said that the rear axle had 3/4 of an inch of toe out on both wheels.
He said that the wheels were at least 6 degrees of camber on average.
They spent 3 hours on it and said that it was all better.
First thing I noticed was on the drive home I was on a section between a set of lights and when I let off to coast to the red light it was about a 1/4 mile section and it only lost like 4 mph in that section and you could feel that the drag was way less.
My instant MPH on the dash showed 11.4 on the way there, and on the way home it was up to 12.9 and I hadn't even reset it. I have never seen it change it that much while towing before.
I feel the $195 I spend for the work will come back fast in MPG at that rate.
As soon as purchase my new set of tires and I go on my next trip I will report back on any improvements.
I need to call and talk to them, as I know I have a mis-alignment and would like to get it done right.
Pop
Thread Starter
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Cross-Country
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 68
Likes: 2
From: Stanton, Ca.
Remember: I haven't done any long distance test yet, but here is their name and address. They don't have a website that I could find but here is a Yelp link.
California Frame & Axle
6049 Rugby Ave.
Hungtinton Park, Ca. 90255
323-583-2834 / 323-583-3381
This place is not big, but they do a lot of big rigs, busses and large vehicles. I am glad I listened to the guy I talked to and got there 15 minutes before they opened at 8AM as I would have never been able to get in after they were busy.
California Frame & Axle
6049 Rugby Ave.
Hungtinton Park, Ca. 90255
323-583-2834 / 323-583-3381
This place is not big, but they do a lot of big rigs, busses and large vehicles. I am glad I listened to the guy I talked to and got there 15 minutes before they opened at 8AM as I would have never been able to get in after they were busy.
Thread Starter
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Cross-Country
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 68
Likes: 2
From: Stanton, Ca.
Alright, this was the first weekend that I could get the trailer out for a test on mileage.
Well I have driven this route before and it is about 92 miles in each direction. While looking at my app my truck averages around 11.2 MPG while towing my 28ft trailer.
On this trip I averaged 11.9 which is not as much as I had hoped for but we had hit 25 minutes of traffic going only 15 MPH which really kills the average. Plus it was also more windy this time with about a constant 12-15 MPH wind, but not always a head wind.
I hope it will do better on my next longer trip, but then again that was a nice boost.
The main thing I first notice still is after I let off the gas pedal, (Not in tow haul mode) it will coast 3 times farther than it used to.
Well I have driven this route before and it is about 92 miles in each direction. While looking at my app my truck averages around 11.2 MPG while towing my 28ft trailer.
On this trip I averaged 11.9 which is not as much as I had hoped for but we had hit 25 minutes of traffic going only 15 MPH which really kills the average. Plus it was also more windy this time with about a constant 12-15 MPH wind, but not always a head wind.
I hope it will do better on my next longer trip, but then again that was a nice boost.
The main thing I first notice still is after I let off the gas pedal, (Not in tow haul mode) it will coast 3 times farther than it used to.
