ifallsguy
Petty Officer 2nd Class
- Joined
- Sep 12, 2009
- Messages
- 160
After reading horror stories about tires blowing on trailers, I was wondering how many people have actually gone and had their trailers checked for alignment?
I purchased my 89 Capri this past spring. The tires had some ribbing, but nothing to really worry about during a 4 mile haul to the ramp. But I had to drag it over 200 miles a few weeks ago. One time had scalloping, the other feathering. The dealer I was at suggested I take it to the truck dealer across the road who had a tech who knew how to align the axle.
The result of the alignment? Camber was over 8 degree (corrected), the axle was offset to one side by almost 4 inches (recentered) (I always thought I was having problems getting the boat centered when putting it on the trailer), and the axle was almost 3 inches forward of where it was supposed to sit (corrected). Mileage when I drove out 13.2, on the return trip 15.9. New tires show none of the wear.
And as a bonus, I can now move the trailer with one hand on a flat surface.
Before you ask, the tech said the axle hadn't been bent, the mounting hardware was tight and that most trailers are screwed up when they are sold. He told me of his Airstream coming from the factory with alignment almost as far off as mine.
Cost was about $100 and I would highly recommend taking any trailer showing out of the ordinary wear to a technican that can do the job and do it right. My tech was at a commerical (semi) truck dealership and they deal with solid axles all the time. It's worth it for safety and the savings in tires.
I purchased my 89 Capri this past spring. The tires had some ribbing, but nothing to really worry about during a 4 mile haul to the ramp. But I had to drag it over 200 miles a few weeks ago. One time had scalloping, the other feathering. The dealer I was at suggested I take it to the truck dealer across the road who had a tech who knew how to align the axle.
The result of the alignment? Camber was over 8 degree (corrected), the axle was offset to one side by almost 4 inches (recentered) (I always thought I was having problems getting the boat centered when putting it on the trailer), and the axle was almost 3 inches forward of where it was supposed to sit (corrected). Mileage when I drove out 13.2, on the return trip 15.9. New tires show none of the wear.
And as a bonus, I can now move the trailer with one hand on a flat surface.
Before you ask, the tech said the axle hadn't been bent, the mounting hardware was tight and that most trailers are screwed up when they are sold. He told me of his Airstream coming from the factory with alignment almost as far off as mine.
Cost was about $100 and I would highly recommend taking any trailer showing out of the ordinary wear to a technican that can do the job and do it right. My tech was at a commerical (semi) truck dealership and they deal with solid axles all the time. It's worth it for safety and the savings in tires.