alignment on travel trailer wheels
Seeing some uneven wear patterns on TT tires...I assume there must be a way to align the tires, and somehow on our unit it's gotten out of whack... 1.) there is, right? an alignment adjustment on a...
Forum Discussion
I would take it to a frame shop with experience in travel trailers and specialized alignment equipment. They can put it up on a hoist and check everything out and also look for things you wouldn't think to look for or know about. Doesn't cost very much for an inspection - $100 to $150.
We took our brand new TT into a frame shop a few weeks after we took possession last May. They found that all plastic bushings in the springs were worn out. We're on the west coast and the trailer had over 2,000 miles on it from the plant to dealer before we even used it. Not impressed... Have a HD Dexter equalizer kit on order with grease-able bolts and bronze bushings.
We had spring hangers that were bent out of vertical alignment by up to 5/8" over the 6" height of the hangers. When the trailer was on the ground, the hangers bent one way and when it was on the hoist, the hangers bent in the opposite direction. Would not have known unless we took it to a shop. Some trailers have excessive frame flex leading to premature and uneven tire wear. And if you have a heavier trailer and tow at higher speeds (above 65) and do things like a lot of lane changes at speed, that will cause the spring hangers to flex from side to side. You can tie the spring hangers together to minimize this (left to right side). Mor/Ryde has a crossmember kit for this.
If you do take it to a frame shop, they can also inspect for cracks and failed welds.
Many people tend to blame ST tire problems on quality when it's often caused by improper care. Like some recommend, I like the idea of replacing them every 5,000 miles despite how good they may look.
We took our brand new TT into a frame shop a few weeks after we took possession last May. They found that all plastic bushings in the springs were worn out. We're on the west coast and the trailer had over 2,000 miles on it from the plant to dealer before we even used it. Not impressed... Have a HD Dexter equalizer kit on order with grease-able bolts and bronze bushings.
We had spring hangers that were bent out of vertical alignment by up to 5/8" over the 6" height of the hangers. When the trailer was on the ground, the hangers bent one way and when it was on the hoist, the hangers bent in the opposite direction. Would not have known unless we took it to a shop. Some trailers have excessive frame flex leading to premature and uneven tire wear. And if you have a heavier trailer and tow at higher speeds (above 65) and do things like a lot of lane changes at speed, that will cause the spring hangers to flex from side to side. You can tie the spring hangers together to minimize this (left to right side). Mor/Ryde has a crossmember kit for this.
If you do take it to a frame shop, they can also inspect for cracks and failed welds.
Many people tend to blame ST tire problems on quality when it's often caused by improper care. Like some recommend, I like the idea of replacing them every 5,000 miles despite how good they may look.
