Tire wear

[Bobbyg2013]

Feedback from this forum tells me I should have my 2015 26' two axle TT aligned due to excessive wear on the outside of the tires plus have the bearings packed because it is recommended every year. I have about 9 to 10K miles on the tires and unit. The price in Mesa, Az seems high at $380 for the alignment and $200 for the bearings work. Is this a reasonable price?

[Huntindog]

nickthehunter wrote:

Huntindog wrote:

mbopp wrote:
I paid over $500 to have my axles re-aligned at a heavy truck & frame shop.

This is one reason I am not a fan realigning TT axles.

For that money, the underlying problem could have been fixed.

There are basically two reasons a TT axles can be out of alignment.
1. The spring hangers were welded on wrong when the TT was made.


2. The axles became bent in use. Either from overloading, or an impact.

To realign an axle most shops BEND it.

This can work, but... If it was out of alignment because the spring hangers were welded on wrong, then thay still will be wrong... What you will have is a custom bent axle that compensates for the improperly installed hangers... If an axle later becomes damaged and needs replacing, then a NEW axle will need to be custom bent to match the old one. If you fix the real problem, then you can simply bolt a new axle in and be ready to roll.

If the axle became bent from overloading or impact, replacing it with a heavier rated axle will fix the alignment, AND make it less likely to happen again.... This is especially true as most TT manufacturers put the smallest axles on that they can legally get away with.

Axles are pretty affordable, compared to a 500.00 one time probably temporary realignment.

"Re-aligning axles" can mean having the spring hangers cut off and re-welded in the correct spot. Brand new $500 axles will still require the $500 cut and re-weld. After all, he did say he had his axles "Re-aligned", he didn't say he had them "Re-bent". It is also possible, the frame needed to be straightened. Lots of possibilities. All depends on the discussion between you and the frame shop. Point is, Frame shop can check it out, find the problem, and tell you what their plan to fix it is.

You may have missed one sentence: "To realign an axle most shops bend it"

Most is not the same as all.

But most people just pay the money for the fix, and don't think about how it is done, or that there may be a better way... Many shops, especially "heavy duty truck and frame shops... Will bend the axles, as that IS the only way some heavy duty trucks must be aligned. So they do what is natural for them. This is not the first time this subject has come up.... So I have a pretty good idea, from reading all those other threads what most do.

Also, IF the reason for the misalignment is the hangers being welded on wrong, then new axles (Which can be had a LOT cheaper than 500.00) would not be needed... Just fix the hangers (the real problem) and camp on.

If the frame is bent, especially from the factory, this is a serious issue and may well not be fixable without more damage to the TT box. Fortunatly this is VERY low on the list of possible causes.

[allen8106]

mbopp wrote:
I paid over $500 to have my axles re-aligned at a heavy truck & frame shop.

My alignment cost me $175 at a heavy duty trailer frame and axle shop in Wichita.

[trail-explorer]

spike99 wrote:
For wheel bearings....

I re-pack grease and replace inner seals myself. Lots of videos on U-Tube.

Yes, Youtube.com has a lot of useful videos.

[nickthehunter]

Huntindog wrote:

mbopp wrote:
I paid over $500 to have my axles re-aligned at a heavy truck & frame shop.

This is one reason I am not a fan realigning TT axles.

For that money, the underlying problem could have been fixed.

There are basically two reasons a TT axles can be out of alignment.
1. The spring hangers were welded on wrong when the TT was made.


2. The axles became bent in use. Either from overloading, or an impact.

To realign an axle most shops BEND it.

This can work, but... If it was out of alignment because the spring hangers were welded on wrong, then thay still will be wrong... What you will have is a custom bent axle that compensates for the improperly installed hangers... If an axle later becomes damaged and needs replacing, then a NEW axle will need to be custom bent to match the old one. If you fix the real problem, then you can simply bolt a new axle in and be ready to roll.

If the axle became bent from overloading or impact, replacing it with a heavier rated axle will fix the alignment, AND make it less likely to happen again.... This is especially true as most TT manufacturers put the smallest axles on that they can legally get away with.

Axles are pretty affordable, compared to a 500.00 one time probably temporary realignment.

"Re-aligning axles" can mean having the spring hangers cut off and re-welded in the correct spot. Brand new $500 axles will still require the $500 cut and re-weld. After all, he did say he had his axles "Re-aligned", he didn't say he had them "Re-bent". It is also possible, the frame needed to be straightened. Lots of possibilities. All depends on the discussion between you and the frame shop. Point is, Frame shop can check it out, find the problem, and tell you what their plan to fix it is.

[fulltimedaniel]

spike99 wrote:

harley4275 wrote:

spike99 wrote:
For wheel bearings....

I re-pack grease and replace inner seals myself. Lots of videos on U-Tube. And while the wheel hubs are off, I also inspect my own brake parts as well. Money saved means I can spend dollars on other items. And, it's re-greasing is done properly - not by a young kid working at minimum wage.

This works for me...

This may work for you (and me) but if a guy that has never done it before relies on utube , they should not attempt it . Pay the money and have a reputable place do it . Or have a friend or neighbour that knows how to do it right ,help and show them. just my opinion..

Once upon a time, I didn't know how to do myself. I learned and saved tons of money - by doing it myself. People can learn - even folks who don't know how to do it today.

Spike is right...this is re-packing wheel bearings it is NOT rocket science or brain surgery. And THE BEST reason to do it yourself is that you learn yet another aspect of your rig which makes you that much more self reliant and not dependent on overpriced simple repairs from so called "experts".

[harley4275]

spike99 wrote:

harley4275 wrote:

spike99 wrote:
For wheel bearings....

I re-pack grease and replace inner seals myself. Lots of videos on U-Tube. And while the wheel hubs are off, I also inspect my own brake parts as well. Money saved means I can spend dollars on other items. And, it's re-greasing is done properly - not by a young kid working at minimum wage.

This works for me...

This may work for you (and me) but if a guy that has never done it before relies on utube , they should not attempt it . Pay the money and have a reputable place do it . Or have a friend or neighbour that knows how to do it right ,help and show them. just my opinion..

Once upon a time, I didn't know how to do myself. I learned and saved tons of money - by doing it myself. People can learn - even folks who don't know how to do it today.

.

What I was leaning for was the fact that there are some people that should not touch anything like bearings and especially brakes as those parts are important to safety. I have friends that are not mechanically inclined and they feel safer having knowledgable folk do the work they feel unsure doing. That's all.

[spike99]

harley4275 wrote:

spike99 wrote:
For wheel bearings....

I re-pack grease and replace inner seals myself. Lots of videos on U-Tube. And while the wheel hubs are off, I also inspect my own brake parts as well. Money saved means I can spend dollars on other items. And, it's re-greasing is done properly - not by a young kid working at minimum wage.

This works for me...

This may work for you (and me) but if a guy that has never done it before relies on utube , they should not attempt it . Pay the money and have a reputable place do it . Or have a friend or neighbour that knows how to do it right ,help and show them. just my opinion..

Once upon a time, I didn't know how to do myself. I learned and saved tons of money - by doing it myself. People can learn - even folks who don't know how to do it today.

[harley4275]

spike99 wrote:
For wheel bearings....

I re-pack grease and replace inner seals myself. Lots of videos on U-Tube. And while the wheel hubs are off, I also inspect my own brake parts as well. Money saved means I can spend dollars on other items. And, it's re-greasing is done properly - not by a young kid working at minimum wage.

This works for me...

This may work for you (and me) but if a guy that has never done it before relies on utube , they should not attempt it . Pay the money and have a reputable place do it . Or have a friend or neighbour that knows how to do it right ,help and show them. just my opinion..

[Huntindog]

mbopp wrote:
I paid over $500 to have my axles re-aligned at a heavy truck & frame shop.

This is one reason I am not a fan realigning TT axles.

For that money, the underlying problem could have been fixed.

There are basically two reasons a TT axles can be out of alignment.
1. The spring hangers were welded on wrong when the TT was made.


2. The axles became bent in use. Either from overloading, or an impact.

To realign an axle most shops BEND it.

This can work, but... If it was out of alignment because the spring hangers were welded on wrong, then thay still will be wrong... What you will have is a custom bent axle that compensates for the improperly installed hangers... If an axle later becomes damaged and needs replacing, then a NEW axle will need to be custom bent to match the old one. If you fix the real problem, then you can simply bolt a new axle in and be ready to roll.

If the axle became bent from overloading or impact, replacing it with a heavier rated axle will fix the alignment, AND make it less likely to happen again.... This is especially true as most TT manufacturers put the smallest axles on that they can legally get away with.

Axles are pretty affordable, compared to a 500.00 one time probably temporary realignment.

[mbopp]

I paid over $500 to have my axles re-aligned at a heavy truck & frame shop.

[spike99]

For wheel bearings....

I re-pack grease and replace inner seals myself. Lots of videos on U-Tube. And while the wheel hubs are off, I also inspect my own brake parts as well. Money saved means I can spend dollars on other items. And, it's re-greasing is done properly - not by a young kid working at minimum wage.

This works for me...

[IBcarguy]

bobndot wrote:
This link shows pics .

http://www.centrevilletrailer.com/how-to/trailer-axle-alignment-trailer-tire-wear/

more info

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/22677205.cfm

This Centerville trailer site is a great illustration of how easy it is to check axle alignment. Good info....

[Trackrig]

The bearing pack at $200 is reasonable. Shop time averages $100 an hour so that's two hours worth of work.

Bill

[bobndot]

This link shows pics .

http://www.centrevilletrailer.com/how-to/trailer-axle-alignment-trailer-tire-wear/

more info

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/22677205.cfm