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Old 08-27-2018, 04:22 PM   #1
BamaRam
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Space between tires?

After I got X-chocks I discovered that the space between tires on each side is not the same. One side is closer together by about 3/4”. All tires inflated to same pressure and the wheel bearing are new. (New trailer)

I my simple mind, that means the axles aren’t tracking with each other.

I’ve been having problems with the trailer wanted to wiggle going down hill, even after numerous hitch adjustments. If I slow down to around 50mph all is well.

Could axle alignment contribute to the down hill wiggle?
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Old 08-27-2018, 04:41 PM   #2
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Bama, if the distance isn’t almost exact then there is trouble in paradise. That needs to be repaired pronto!
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Old 08-27-2018, 05:46 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BamaRam View Post
After I got X-chocks I discovered that the space between tires on each side is not the same. One side is closer together by about 3/4”. All tires inflated to same pressure and the wheel bearing are new. (New trailer)

I my simple mind, that means the axles aren’t tracking with each other.

I’ve been having problems with the trailer wanted to wiggle going down hill, even after numerous hitch adjustments. If I slow down to around 50mph all is well.

Could axle alignment contribute to the down hill wiggle?
Had you pulled or backed in a straight line when doing the comparison? If the trailer is jacked into a site, then the measurements will be different.
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Old 08-27-2018, 06:04 PM   #4
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When our tire spacing wasn't the same, it was b/c our rear axle was bent. Hope that's not your case!
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Old 08-27-2018, 06:26 PM   #5
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Had you pulled or backed in a straight line when doing the comparison? If the trailer is jacked into a site, then the measurements will be different.
I’ll have to double check when it’s on level pavement and hooked up to to the truck. Thanks for the idea.
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Old 08-27-2018, 06:29 PM   #6
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If I were on a better surface I would get under there and make some measurements. But m parked on a granite rock lot and it’s not conducive to crawling around under there. Oh my knees!
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Old 08-27-2018, 08:21 PM   #7
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When you do get the trailer on a firm, level surface several things need to be considered:

1. Be sure the trailer is straight behind the tow vehicle and that you pull forward and back a few times to "unload" any stress from backing into the spot.

2. Be sure the tires are the same pressure, same size and same brand. Better yet, do not measure from "tire to tire" but remove the tires and/or measure from one specific location on the axle to the same location on the other axle. Tires can vary in size based on a number of factors. Axles should not vary, so you'll get a better measurement using a location on the steel axle or hub rather than the rubber tire.

3. Not all axles are "exactly equal" side to side. Just like the front end of a vehicle, fine tuning the front alignment may mean that one side is slightly different than the other. In fact, most vehicles are different, so to compensate for frame construction tolerances, the axles may be slightly "misaligned side to side" to compensate for the variances which can cause them to not be identical on each side.

Even if the trailer is jacked into the air, perfectly aligned and tires installed, once the trailer is returned to the ground, any weight difference at any wheel position can change the arc of the axle and may change the measurement. That's why alignment of the axles should be done with the trailer "loaded" rather than relying on the factory measurements used to construct the "empty frame" prior to trailer build.

So, measuring the space between the two tires on each side is, at best, a WAG at trailer alignment. There's many factors to consider before assuming that the axles are misaligned.
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Old 08-28-2018, 07:36 AM   #8
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So, measuring the space between the two tires on each side is, at best, a WAG at trailer alignment. There's many factors to consider before assuming that the axles are misaligned.
Thanks for filling me in!
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Old 08-28-2018, 08:13 AM   #9
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I use a bolt chocks I made that work excellent. If I start pushing the tires out it will bring the other side in , weather the x block has the force to spread tires out I don't know. For every action there is a reaction .
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