Alignment Question

[COGrandDes]

The only alignment wiggle room you have is in the u-bolt/spring plate/axle slop. Other than that it is grind off the spring mounts and measure...

One tire wearing is not an alignment issue......you have checked the bearings and they are good?
If it was an alignment issue the opposite tire on the same axle would shows signs of wear as well. Not necessarily the same wear...but some kind of abnormal wear.
A bent spindle is fixed by replacing the axle...not a difficult job actually. Although not convenient when home is the other side of the country.

I actually had this issue on two campers now and it was a case where one tire was only wearing. The first was on a Forest River Wildcat. It would only wear one of the tires on the driver's side. I had a truck and camper shop bend the axle and it worked perfectly for many more years before I sold it. I would wear a tire down within a couple thousand miles. I understand there could be some reservations about bending things but I was told it's common practice on the trailers and campers and works well if done right.

The second was on my 40' Montana which I just recently sold. It had the Lippert Correct Track system on it and the tow was adjustable. I found that one side could be out and the opposite still in alignment enough to not wear the tires. I was able to map out all the measurements on my pavement with string and a tape measure and find where the one side needed adjusted. I really liked that Lippert system and the adjustments it allowed. Once I moved that camber nut and pushed the axle forward....everything was in alignment and my tire wear stopped.

I think there are options...just depends on how deep you want to go with the repair or to course correct what was delivered from the factory. Upgrading to heavier duty components will certainly be a better option but more costly of course.

[traveldawg]

I've actually had my 5th wheel alignment fixed when it had common 7,000 lb Dexter axles. I had it aligned by a professional trailer alignment shop. It wasn't hard and they said most all trailers are out of alignment day one - it's just a matter of how far out they are. It cost me less than $300 (about 3 years ago).

The fix, for them, was simple and easy and took a bit more than an hour. Best of all they let me watch as they explained what was going on and they happily answered all my questions.

The put a touch to either the top, botton, front or rear of the axel to remove any misalignment. They said they use to do the bending with chains and hydraulic rams but the heat 'thing' is much more precise and less time consuming. It seemed to me they used the same laser technology as for aligning cars (targets, checking runout, computers showing angles & such, etc.

This is a well known shop in our area than many folks have been to for trailers and motorhomes. They even have a shake table but mostly it is for motorized RVs. They do everything from small trailers up to semi-trucks.

When I asked them about bent wheels and bearings causing issue they said hardly ever. It is almost always the axles.

After they aligned my 5th wheel I had no unusual wear on the tires for thousands of miles. Prior to that I was wearing the inside and/or outside of tires on one or more positions. No manner of rotating or checking bearings did anything.

So bottom line, from someone who actually has experienced uneven wear and had it resolved - go to a professional alignment shop and let them determine what is wrong. It's a lot cheaper than throwing parts (like tires) at the problem.

If you are in the Orlando area look up Josam Frame & Alignment. You won't be sorry.

[goducks14]

The place where I get my alignments done said even when installing a new axle on a trailer they still align it. Frankly I wouldn't trust any new axle these days.

[huntindog]

Depends on what type of axles and system you have. If you have the Lippert Correct Track...it's pretty easy to measure and adjust toe. If the camber is out because of bent axles or spindles...then axles must be bent to correct. I've had these procedures done on my campers before. Nowadays...it can be costly if needed.

Yes it is. One can buy new axles for less.

[huntindog]

The Frankly I wouldn't trust any new axle these days.

Why? It is one of the few items still made here in the USA

[goducks14]

Why? It is one of the few items still made here in the USA

So are RV's and look how trouble prone they are.

[Grandesigner]

Yes it is. One can buy new axles for less.

I think my new axle a few years ago was about $100, pretty reasonable.

[goducks14]

I think my new axle a few years ago was about $100, pretty reasonable.

FWIW a 5200# dexter axle is about $375. The whole axle, brakes and bearings is $700.
$200 to ship to a business out to the west coast.

[huntindog]

FWIW a 5200# dexter axle is about $375. The whole axle, brakes and bearings is $700.
$200 to ship to a business out to the west coast.

In 2014 I paid 600.00 for a custom spec'd 7000# axle complete with brakes an springs from Lippert
Free shipping.

For the best prices, I use Auto Safety House

[huntindog]

So are RV's and look how trouble prone they are.

Good point, but with that outlook you must not buy anything you trust.
I have bought a few axles with good results