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tried this on the trailer forum and all the suggestions said take it somewhere...; It's just math and geometry... anybody have
any experience in aligning dual axle car hauler... got some funky tire wear I need to investigate
John,
I had some weird tire wear on my travel trailer years ago (26' tandem axle bumper pull). I took it to a local truck shop and had them do an alignment. I think any truck shop that deals with straight axles should be able to handle it.
My try contacting a travel trailer dealer/service company. They might have the functionality to align the wheels
I would suspect a bent axle or two. I once bought an equipment trailer with two 5K lb axles. I was experiencing abnormal tire wear and called the factory. "Yep, we've had reports of some of those axles built out of specs; bring it in and we'll replace the axles." The factory was very receptive to resolving the issue. End of tire wear. As mentioned, the right shop will "adjust" the axles. That 1/2 inch toe on the front axle will cause wear for sure. That thing is probably bouncing down the road.
I believe that you are correct John, it's not rocket science. From your chart I would say that there is cause for concern. I am not a trailer expert but I did design and build my own dual axle trailer so I guess I have some amount of expertise. As a start I would use the trailer hitch as a point of reference and measure to the same point on each wheel hub from there. Axle widths seem to be within tolerance but the front seems to be shifted a bit too far to the left...may be significant but may not. Rear tire wear would indicate a bent axle, measuring across the trailer rim to rim at the front and the rear of each wheel would verify the trueness of the axle...should not have a toe-in. When I built my tailer I used Dexter torsion axles which are a hard mount design...no leaf springs. All geometry was based on the hitch. I have towed it cross country a few times and see no abnormal wear on the tires at all.
John did you or whomever make sure the wheel bearings were tight. The front tire wear would indicate low tire pressure. I am not at all in the know about trailers so I can't comment on the toe readings other than on cars they read total toe in the front and 1/16-1/8" toe would be in the ball park on Most cars. 1/8" on one side would seem to be way too much. Toe wears tires kinda like a saw blade, camber tends to wear the inside (or outside).
I would agree with Charlie, logically all measurements should be based from a central point and the hitch would be the point I'd choose.
Bobby has pretty good advice in contacting the manufacturer, if not to fix it then at minimum to get their correct specs.
