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.