Trailer Alignment

[1995zj]

Where do you go to get your car hauler aligned? I've got a 16ft 7000# that came with ST205/75D15C tires (came on the trailer) and they aren't wearing very well. I keep them at 50psi and they wear like they are underinflated, the center doesn't wear, only the inside and outside edges. I weighed my ZJ in at 5340# last year and my deck weighs 1600#. Which means I'm at 6960# :-\

So the trailer is now in need of new tires as the edges are mostly bald. I'm thinking some ST225/75D15D tires (what comes on 10k# haulers) and an alignment would do the trick. Thoughts? Also I've heard it's better to align the trailer while it's loaded up, any truth to this and if so is there anyone in the SLC valley that does it?

 

[Corban_White]

Without cutting and welding, how do you align a trailer with standard suspension? (leaf springs or torsion axles)

 

[1995zj]

From what I've searched, it's possible, but you're right, it should've been done at the time of manufacturing.

This is taken from another forum after my searches

This sounds like an alignment problem to me. I had a similar problem 8 or 9 years ago - uneven tire wear, trailer not tracking straight, etc. I called around and someone suggested a frame straightening shop. This shop specialized in straightening big over-the-road truck frames. I took the boat and trailer (twin axle) in and they put it on their frame rack and, using chains and hydraulics, bent the ends of the axles into alignment. They thought the spindles were bent from hitting pot holes, etc. After they had performed their magic the trailer pulled like it was on rails and still does to this day. I think they charged around $100 for this. My only other option was to have new spindles welded on or replace the axles. I'd call around to frame shops in your area.

I guess I am just wondering if there is anyone in SLC that someone would recommend before I just start calling around.

 

[utah340six]

all 4 wheels wearing the same.
or just 2.
possable causes bent axle.
turning to tight does it also.
mine had bias ply tirews on it when i got it, they wore out fast .
put on radials from henderson.
4 new tires and rims cheeper than just 4 tires.

to see if you axels are in stright put a ball on hitch and measure back to the same point on both sides.
that will tell if its square off the hitch.

 

[rholbrook]

What air pressure are you running?

 

[mbryson]

Our camp trailer was HORRIBLE. We took it to State Trailer Supply and have been very happy with how it tows since. Costs much less to tow when you're not replacing one or two trailer tires per trip.

 

[1995zj]

all 4 wheels wearing the same.
or just 2.
possable causes bent axle.
turning to tight does it also.
mine had bias ply tirews on it when i got it, they wore out fast .
put on radials from henderson.
4 new tires and rims cheeper than just 4 tires.

to see if you axels are in stright put a ball on hitch and measure back to the same point on both sides.
that will tell if its square off the hitch.

Seems like all 4 are wearing the same. I'll go out and double check/take pics too. I was wondering if they were bent, but it's been doing this since day one and I bought it brand new in the summer of 2007. I even had the braking axle replaced under warranty in early 2008 and they put all new tires/wheels on it for free due to the odd wearing.

What air pressure are you running?

That's in my first post. I'm running them all at 50psi, it's load range C so that's the max they say to run. I check them every trip too just to make sure.

Our camp trailer was HORRIBLE. We took it to State Trailer Supply and have been very happy with how it tows since. Costs much less to tow when you're not replacing one or two trailer tires per trip.

Yeah, luckily I haven't had any blowouts yet...but it seems inevitable with the way things are.

 

[utah340six]

check the axel or wheel mesurments from the ball???

 

[Shawn]

If the tires are not Trailer Tires they will wear like this. Some trailer tires cone so the more weight you put on them the more tread lays on the ground. If they are car tires that is more than likely your problem.

If you really think it is an alignment issue, break out a tape measure and see if one side of the axles sits back farther than the other.

 

[1995zj]

Yeah, I'll have to measure it this week when I have some free time. The tires are trailer tires, JF990 Freeway is what they say on the side. Paiute Trailer put them on it, I don't see why they wouldn't be trailer tires.

 

[Shawn]

If they don't say "trailer tire" on the side wall they probably are not true trailer tires.

 

[1995zj]

I'll check when I measure the alignment...that would be nice if it were the main issue.

 

[Shawn]

Do a google search on that tire and see what you can find out. I did a quick one and I really don't think they are what you think they are. For one, they are made in China and those tend to be the worst tires you can buy.

 

[neagtea]

TDS in Ogden, I think it is the old JW brewer. Had a triple axle enclosed that towed like shat. Todd from Wasatch Trailers took it up there and it was like a new unit. It tows easier and doesn't wear tires faster than the truck burns fuel. I guess they use their old Ibeam bending equipment or something similar. I need to get my tandem done after the father in law towed it through the construction in Ogden and had a little rub with a Bridge now it wears out the rf tire.

 

[rollover]

Alignment Specialist, Russ Alignment both in SLC. Take your tow rig in and have them do a full alignment on it and the trailer at the same time (all 8 wheels) it will tow like a dream.

 

[1995zj]

Alignment Specialist, Russ Alignment both in SLC. Take your tow rig in and have them do a full alignment on it and the trailer at the same time (all 8 wheels) it will tow like a dream.

Do they align the trailer under load? Or is that possible? I was just thinking that would be the route to go if they did. I'll give both a call tomorrow to chat about it. Thanks.

 

[moabrangler]

Alingment Specialist did my 20' Hauler, A year ago, no tire problems since then.was reasonable pricing.

 

[Bart]

I forget the name, but the number is 801-972-1105, close to 9th west, 21st south. They've done 3 trailers for me and always do a good job. I was blowing tires like crazy on an enclosed I had after they aligned it the problems went away. My boat trailer was wearing tires like crazy and again, they fixed it. Well worth the money.

 

[Corban_White]

......ST205/75D15C tires (came on the trailer)......

If the tires are not Trailer Tires they will wear like this. Some trailer tires cone so the more weight you put on them the more tread lays on the ground. If they are car tires that is more than likely your problem.

If they don't say "trailer tire" on the side wall they probably are not true trailer tires.

I'll check when I measure the alignment...that would be nice if it were the main issue.

The "ST" in the size means they are trailer tires.







And 1995ZJ, when you do replace the tires the "D" rated ones will be a great improvement.

 

[utah340six]

did you get yours when we did the pricing for rme 2 years ago.
mine did the same thing think they are a bias ply tire.
put radials on mine the seam fine now.