Posted 2022-11-19 4:46 PM (#185452) Subject: Tire Alignment For Trailer
Regular
Posts: 93 Location: Nebraska
Hi So the tires on the rear axles on my 2003 Elite have worn badly on the inside, tires on front axle seem to have worn evenly. So I took the trailer into tire shop and had the bearings and axles checked and I am told both are fine but that I should get an alignment on the trailer. I have never head of this, if this really a thing or would I be paying for a service I don't need? Opinions? Thanks Joan
Posted 2022-11-22 8:32 AM (#185454 - in reply to #185452) Subject: RE: Tire Alignment For Trailer
Elite Veteran
Posts: 802 Location: Tenn/Ala.
Well, they are right, and wrong. Your Elite will have a torsion axle on it, which means there is a solid steel beam bolted to the frame, and at each end a swing arm / spindle mounted in rubber- pushed into the end of the beam. Normally- trailer and big truck axles are aligned by literally bending them. But since you have that rubber connection in the middle- not possible. Dexter (a large torsion axle maker) for example clearly states "no" regarding any alignment to that product. So yes- tire wear shows a need for alignment, no- that axle isn't supposed to be aligned.
For what it is worth, oftentimes rear tire inside wear can come from a trailer that is nose high. The slope puts a higher load on the rear axle, causing negative camber causing tire wear. We have seen simply leveling the trailer may help. Otherwise, a new axle is in order.
Also however- how long did that take to happen? Generally rear tires wear worse than front, so it is the norm to rotate the tires when the bearings are packed.
Posted 2022-11-26 8:11 AM (#185457 - in reply to #185452) Subject: RE: Tire Alignment For Trailer
Regular
Posts: 93 Location: Nebraska
Thank you for your reply to my post. My trailer does ride a little nose high, truck seems tall for it. How many inches should be allowed between the trucks bed rail and trailer to be safe? Also, I haul one horse in the rear stall and I am wondering if that also has an effect on rear axle weight. I have been told that it should't be a problem with a living quarters due to the weight of the interior conunteracting the weight of the horse in the last stall.. These tires are 4 years old. Thanks Joan
Posted 2022-11-27 11:04 AM (#185458 - in reply to #185452) Subject: RE: Tire Alignment For Trailer
Member
Posts: 17
Location: Crandon, WI
I have approximately 5.5" between the underside of the gooseneck and top of truck bed rail. No clearance issues. 2019 Ram 3500 4x4 Dually & 2015 Lakota 8411 w/slide. Fairly heavy. I'm at the last notch on the shocker hitch coupler too.
Posted 2022-11-28 9:45 AM (#185459 - in reply to #185452) Subject: RE: Tire Alignment For Trailer
Elite Veteran
Posts: 802 Location: Tenn/Ala.
I typically shoot for about 7-8" (two fists on top of each other) between truck bed and trailer. Your terrain may require different spacing.Yes- older trailers sat lower, which is causing problems with new trucks. That's why you'll see a lot of new trailers advertised as zero degree axles, or blocked axles - all done to raise the rear end for a level ride.
Tire Alignment For Trailer
