Trailer Axle Alignment shop?

Preferably something on the south side of the metro?

I've called 3-4 "trailer" shop service depts. and they're dumb as a bag of hammers and can't even recommend something, claiming it's replace, not repair.

I have premature tire wear on one shoe. Unfortunately, I didn't notice which side it was before I had the tires changed out today. I didn't even realize there was any wear, just wanted to get the china bombs off and the new US made Goodyear Endurance put on. I'm going to pull the hubs and check bearings of course, but never had an issue with it before and I keep them well lubed. I feel I can almost see the negative camber in the driver's side mirror, but need it checked to be certain.

I know for a damn fact, there's shops that do this, just can't seem to find one.

FWIW, it is just a small boat trailer, but a little tap here, tap there, bend here, bend there, will dial it in I'm sure. Just a matter of having the right deck, tools, and know how.

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Originally Posted by brutal

Preferably something on the south side of the metro?

I've called 3-4 "trailer" shop service depts. and they're dumb as a bag of hammers and can't even recommend something, claiming it's replace, not repair.

I have premature tire wear on one shoe. Unfortunately, I didn't notice which side it was before I had the tires changed out today. I didn't even realize there was any wear, just wanted to get the china bombs off and the new US made Goodyear Endurance put on. I'm going to pull the hubs and check bearings of course, but never had an issue with it before and I keep them well lubed. I feel I can almost see the negative camber in the driver's side mirror, but need it checked to be certain.

I know for a damn fact, there's shops that do this, just can't seem to find one.

FWIW, it is just a small boat trailer, but a little tap here, tap there, bend here, bend there, will dial it in I'm sure. Just a matter of having the right deck, tools, and know how.

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It's not that " they're dumb as a bag of hammers"
Removing, "straighten" the axle and re-install will result in a "straight" axle for a very short period of time. It will relax after being bent and will soon wear tires once again as it goes back to a bent state.
Iron Bear Trailer has the only axle jig in the state. They are the only place that can install a spindle in an axle tube accurately. The cost of straightening an axle will be almost as much as a replacement due to the equipment and time needed. That is why no one is doing it. Some automotive frame shops try to straighten trailer axles(poorly). You are better off with a new axle as all the repair shops you contacted stated.

If you truly want an alternative since you seem to not be getting one... keep replacing just the bad tire and keep the bent axle. Sometimes this is a cost effective alternative depending on use.

Trailer axles are designed as the weak link and bend rather than mess up the suspension or trailer frame and are disposable. You can upgrade the the axle to a heavier axle if you replace it but then somewhere else is gonna give.

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Originally Posted by Colorado Osprey

It's not that " they're dumb as a bag of hammers"
Removing, "straighten" the axle and re-install will result in a "straight" axle for a very short period of time. It will relax after being bent and will soon wear tires once again as it goes back to a bent state.
Iron Bear Trailer has the only axle jig in the state. They are the only place that can install a spindle in an axle tube accurately. The cost of straightening an axle will be almost as much as a replacement due to the equipment and time needed. That is why no one is doing it. Some automotive frame shops try to straighten trailer axles(poorly). You are better off with a new axle as all the repair shops you contacted stated.

If you truly want an alternative since you seem to not be getting one... keep replacing just the bad tire and keep the bent axle. Sometimes this is a cost effective alternative depending on use.

Trailer axles are designed as the weak link and bend rather than mess up the suspension or trailer frame and are disposable. You can upgrade the the axle to a heavier axle if you replace it but then somewhere else is gonna give.

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Thanks for the intel.

I hang out in a few RV groups and there's post after post of guys having their tandem or triple rv frame/axles aligned for $200 or so.

I guess Denver doesn't have the same market needs as other parts of the country. Maybe our roads ARE better and we all just complain too much about nothing. ;-)

Considering it's a single axle, and it seems there's not an abundance of trailer alignment shops, I guess I'll just keep putting on tires. Probably best if I have them remounted and rotate every year, even out the wear. I don't expect much more than 5 years or so out of them anyway.

Is the axle bent or is it just positioned on the trailer frame incorrectly? Anyone can take a tape measure and go from the tongue to the axle on each side and see if the measurement is the same. If it's off, get out a wrench and slide it forward or back yourself.

Call lakewood alignment after the holiday. They align some unusual things.

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Originally Posted by def90

Is the axle bent or is it just positioned on the trailer frame incorrectly? Anyone can take a tape measure and go from the tongue to the axle on each side and see if the measurement is the same. If it's off, get out a wrench and slide it forward or back yourself.

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Just getting tire wear on one side. Still pretty sure it's negative camber on the driver side, so probably not much to do except rotate more often.

I'll measure tomorrow, but most of these are pinned and the axle can't move on the spring pack. Could just be worn bushings too.

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Originally Posted by Wulf202

Call lakewood alignment after the holiday. They align some unusual things.

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Thanks

If it has bolt on hubs I have seen places just space the top two to get the camber back in. Normally I would think that it would have to be pretty bad on a boat trailer (over -2) to see a large amount of wear. I would string it to check for a toe condition in this case and it could be a combo of the two. Out of toe will tear the edges of a tire off much faster than camber. Just my two cents.

If this is a small boat trailer axil you can learn a little about misalignment putting tape, I like duct tape, around the tires across the tread. Any misalignment will fray the tape quickly to indicate which tire. I also believe you have already ruled out a bent rim but after identifying which tire switch sides and do it again to verify. If the problem follows the switch it is a rim problem. Personally tire wear on one tire only in my opinion will not be a camber issue. It also won’t be axil position. My guest is you have a spindle that has a toe in or toe out issue, which can easily be aligned with small effort inexpensively.


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Thanks for the advice all.

I got a good look at things today and did some measurements since I had the wheels and hubs off for brakes, bearings and seals check. Double lip seal on one side is toast. Outer lip is gone and inner spring is busted.

I think I found my issue. The axle and spring pack are one sub-assembly that clamps onto the frame. I'm measuring 1/4" off on both spindles to ball mount and subframe to rear frame. It looks like a simple matter to loosen the u-bolts and adjust one side to equal the other.

Bearings look good although the grease on the side with the bad seal was overdue for a repack. That side castle nut is an RCH off being able to get well into another notch, so it runs a little looser than I'd like, but is acceptable. Grease on brake parts though the pads and drums are OK. Slave cylinder outer dust boots are cracked and brittle. Ordered all new assembled complete brake/backing kit from e-trailer cheap. Just have to swap them out and bleed.

Thanks again to all who advised. Turns out this is a simple DIY fix.

I didn't realize Jim's Repair was now Iron Bear. They did an outstanding job straightening and aligning the axles on our travel trailer about 4 years ago. I believe one was bent, but they aligned both after they straightened the one.

Glad the OP got it figured out.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Colorado Osprey

It's not that " they're dumb as a bag of hammers"
Removing, "straighten" the axle and re-install will result in a "straight" axle for a very short period of time. It will relax after being bent and will soon wear tires once again as it goes back to a bent state.
Iron Bear Trailer has the only axle jig in the state. They are the only place that can install a spindle in an axle tube accurately. The cost of straightening an axle will be almost as much as a replacement due to the equipment and time needed. That is why no one is doing it. Some automotive frame shops try to straighten trailer axles(poorly). You are better off with a new axle as all the repair shops you contacted stated.

If you truly want an alternative since you seem to not be getting one... keep replacing just the bad tire and keep the bent axle. Sometimes this is a cost effective alternative depending on use.

Trailer axles are designed as the weak link and bend rather than mess up the suspension or trailer frame and are disposable. You can upgrade the the axle to a heavier axle if you replace it but then somewhere else is gonna give.

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Zombie thread revival.

So, I had the privilege of having my 12' utility trailer hit in front of my house on Friday.

It's going to need at least one leaf spring, wheel & in tire replaced, in addition to the body work involved to replace the fender and gusset.
That said, the axle will need repaired/ replaced and aligned, along with a frame check (if that's a thing with utility trailers).

Is Iron Bear the shop for this, or someone else? Also, does this sound like it will exceed the cost of totalling it out? MSRP for the same configuration trailer new is ~$2400 (mine is 2013 build).

sent from me

Iron Bear is worth talking to.
Redneck is my usual go to since I am North.

I'd call both shops and get an estimate, then call your insurance. At $2400, I would be chasing a new trailer out of their insurance rather than fixing yours. Light/small trailers that get hit hard enough to break/bend leafs etc, usually have frame damage.


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Friendly piece of general trailer advice: Never jack a trailer up by the axle unless you absolutely must, and then, ONLY under the spring perch on the axle. NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, EVER jack up under the axle in the middle or even close to the middle. You will permanently "un-align" your trailer axle.

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Originally Posted by crays

Zombie thread revival.

So, I had the privilege of having my 12' utility trailer hit in front of my house on Friday.

It's going to need at least one leaf spring, wheel & in tire replaced, in addition to the body work involved to replace the fender and gusset.
That said, the axle will need repaired/ replaced and aligned, along with a frame check (if that's a thing with utility trailers).

Is Iron Bear the shop for this, or someone else? Also, does this sound like it will exceed the cost of totalling it out? MSRP for the same configuration trailer new is ~$2400 (mine is 2013 build).

sent from me

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replace the axle yourself. However with that much of a hit, i'd wager the frame is tweaked.

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Originally Posted by Great-Kazoo

replace the axle yourself. However with that much of a hit, i'd wager the frame is tweaked.

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We'll see how it washes out. The offending driver did leave a note on my front door, and believe it or not, the information provided was valid.

I have a claim started with progressive, but I would like to arm myself with some good knowledge/info before getting to far into it with the adjuster.

I doubt that insurance will pay out anywhere near $2400 for a 12ft utility trailer unless it is a pretty beefy trailer.