Axle alignment / correct track

[faebrain]

We got to a campground today and I noticed my rear axle tires are feathered, indicating an alignment issue. I measured from the king pin to the the front axle using a ground mark and plumb bob. Then measured between each axle center points on each side.
The difference from the king pin to each side of the front axle was 1/4”.
The difference between each axle is 1/8”
I have the correct track on the trailer, but I’m not sure which is more important to be equal.
Is it better to have the front axle be square and OK the have the rear axle off by 1/8”? Using correct track to adjust the axles is only possible by 1/4” increments, so I can adjust the front axle but the back will still be off.

[faebrain]

Follow up: axle alignment done at a shop, both axles were out of alignment with the trailer. The front was skewed right and the rear skewed left. Overall the trailer was tracking to the right with the rear axle being dragged a bit, hence why the wear was the worst on the left rear. All good now, and the alignment shop didn’t touch the correct track...guy said he’s done lots of trailers and never messed with them. I’m pretty sure the axles were out of alignment when the trailer left the factory.

[garyp4951]

I agree with you Frank.

[Slownsy]

I don’t believe wher the box is in relation to pin means squat, it is the relationship from pin to axles that matter for tyres to follow correctly.
Frank.

[Housted]

Did my own install with good results. The rear axel was out of alignment and was corrected with the Correct Track. I had the alignment checked at Camping World where they used a laser tool to check the alignment. Had new tires put on on the way home from alignment and they have been wearing perfectly. Could not be happier. One of the side benefits is that the 5er was raised 2" which gives me a level ride and more bed clearance.

Housted

[Veebyes]

justme wrote:
Adjust the front axel to be equal distance from the king pin and adjust the rear axel to be square with the front axel.

This one.

Having a nice level surface to do the plumb bob, mark & measure, is good but a non elastic line hooked on U bolts & measured to pin works too. As long as reference points are the same & measurements are direct.

Did my own install with good results. In my case I had a slight axle bend. Bought a new axle. Not expensive. Bought new, better than original, center spring hangers thinking I'd do the whole upgrade onetime. Could not find a reputable welder in the time frame available so went the Correct Track route.

The new axle & center spring hanger mounts now ride in the basement adding to the long list of spares carried.

[allen8106]

You need to take the rig to an axle shop for alignment. I have mine checked/aligned every other year as part of my preventive machinate.

In most cases the axles cannot be moved forward or backwards. They'll have to tweak the wheel plate up/down/left/right to make the alignment adjustment.

[laknox]

FIRST, make sure the king pin is centered. There have been a couple reports on here of people measuring their axles off the pin only to find out that the pin is off-center. One I remember, in particular, was over 3/4" off-center. =That'll= screw up your axle alignment, for sure.

Lyle

[justme]

Adjust the front axel to be equal distance from the king pin and adjust the rear axel to be square with the front axel.

[justme]

faebrain wrote:
We got to a campground today and I noticed my rear axle tires are feathered, indicating an alignment issue. I measured from the king pin to the the front axle using a ground mark and plumb bob. Then measured between each axle center points on each side.
The difference from the king pin to each side of the front axle was 1/4”.
The difference between each axle is 1/8”
I have the correct track on the trailer, but I’m not sure which is more important to be equal.
Is it better to have the front axle be square and OK the have the rear axle off by 1/8”? Using correct track to adjust the axles is only possible by 1/4” increments, so I can adjust the front axle but the back will still be off.

X2

[B_O__Plenty]

Correct Track can be misleading. It will only adjust the tracking of the axles which is how square they are with the frame and each other. It will do nothing for adjusting toe or camber. They will also charge fro checking it then charge for adjusting it. A quality big truck alignment shop can check all three, toe, camber and tracking and adjust them all for less than an RV shop will charge for only doing 1/3 the of the job. The shop I go to laughs when they see Correct Track and they don't even use them. Another gimmick created by Lippert to generate more money for the inept RV dealer service departments.


B.O.

[faebrain]

The rear axle tires are worn unevenly side to side..matching the difference in axle spacing measurement

[DownTheAvenue]

Isn't feathering on a tire an indication of balance and not alignment?

[faebrain]

The trailer is level and the ground is close, but not perfect.

[ScottG]

Was the ground dead level front to back and side to side when you measured? The wheels move for and aft quite a bit Otherwise.
You really need a perfectly flat paved surface to measure.