GASA765
Dec 19, 2013Explorer
Odd tire wear
We're looking at a 2008 Silverback by Forrest River. We noticed that the front tire on the drivers side had been replaced. I looked at what was supposed to be the spare underneath and it was the one t...
BurbMan wrote:Sorry but I disagree on a couple points..Tracking, Both axles on my trailer were tracking to the left. It was because the the spring hangers were mounted incorrectly. Not by much but enough to shift both axles ahead on the curb side. In theory yes the toe was off. They were both toed out on the left side, and toed in on the right side. It was easily reset by giving it a pull on an alignment rack. The camber was off on one axle. The axles come from the factory with the camber present. The axle manufacturer does this by putting a bend in the center of the axle, the same way an alignment shop corrects the problem. There is no guarantee the replacement axle will be within specs. Just as there is no guarantee the trailer is withing specs when delivered new. Mine wasn't. The ONLY correct way to be sure your trailer is properly aligned is to load it up the way you would normally use it and bring it to a heavy Duty truck/trailer spring and alignment shop. They can check it and make the necessary adjustment by anchoring the frame and pulling or pushing the suspension into the proper specs. They do this all day long on trucks, trailers and even pickups with solid front axles. It's WAY more accurate than just hanging a new axle onto a set of springs and hangers that probably weren't attached accurately when it was built. And that's all I have to say about this. You can believe what you want..Best $200.00 I ever spent..B.O. Plenty wrote:
Correct Track will NOT allow adjustment for toe or camber. It will only adjust tracking..You still will need to go to an alignment shop to get a real alignment. I think many people have a misconception about the Correct Track kit. It will only square up the axles with the frame (tracking) but it doesn't allow for anything else. One or more wheels could still be off.
B.O.
Tracking is the same as toe in/out on a trailer. There is no caster angle since the wheel is attached to a straight axle, and therefore no adjustment necessary. Camber is pre-set by the axle mfr. So the only alignment adjustment there is to make on a trailer is toe in/out, which is what you are calling tracking. If an axle loses camber it is usually replaced, re-bending it is no guarantee that it will retain its arc.
I think a lot of people have a misconception that aligning trailer axles is complicated that only a pro with a laser alignment jig can do it. Aligning a trailer is not complicated, anyone can do it at home following this post from forum member JBarca.