Need my alignment/axle checked

[DeanV]

Does anyone know of a shop that can check my trailer axles and perform an alignment if needed in the St. Louis area?

[SeaDog]

It might help to list the type of rig you have and the suspension (torsion etc.) in getting a good answer.

[DeanV]

We have a 2018 Cedar Creek 36CK2. Standard factory 7000lb axles with springs.

[cbvp]

Alignment shop that does HD trucks should be able to do the job.



C.B.

[JimMorrell]

I'm in California, but look for a shop that specializes in truck service and heavy trailer work. Semi trailers often require realignment. Most good tire shops can point you in the right direction.

[richp]

FWIW, I thought my fiver's axles were out of alignment, but worn suspension bushings were the problem.

Perhaps initial inspection of the shackles and bushings might be indicated -- something that could be done at a local tire shop or truck service center.

Rich Phillips

[tcrossan]

We have a Hathaway 34ik now out of warranty but with a problem we just paid to have repaired. The
the Westlake tires on both axles, although the front is worse, are wearing the inside tread off fairly quickly and the outside tread also but not as fast. The wear pattern isn't uniform around the tires. Tire on the street side looks like the tread has been "scooped" off with a tool! The other tires appear to show wear you might associate with being overloaded. It is not and has never been.The trailer isn't even close to maximum CCC!
Both axles were replaced by Dexter under their 5 year warranty and we figured that would take care of the issue. During the replacement we found that the spring shackle wet bolts had never been greased and the bushings were worn completely into pieces. The new axles came with new shackles and bushings and are now greased.
Anyone else had or having this issue? How was it corrected?
I want to get it corrected before we sell it. I don't want someone else to have to deal with it.

[NJBreeze]

Originally Posted by richp

FWIW, I thought my fiver's axles were out of alignment, but worn suspension bushings were the problem.

Perhaps initial inspection of the shackles and bushings might be indicated -- something that could be done at a local tire shop or truck service center.

Rich Phillips

What he said!!

There is no alignment per se and if they are out of align you have some type of problem such as worn bolts or bushings. Worn shackles , bent axles or mounts that were not square in the first place. Even a frame out of square is a possibility.

I ran into somebody recently who has a brand new Cedar Creek Champagne. The slide won't work because the frame is twisting so with these bigger 5'ers everything seems to come into play.

[dieselguy]

"There is no alignment per se" ... I beg to differ. All trailers have their axle tubes made with positive camber and an ever so slight bit of toe in. That's why when you look at an axle tube there is a slight upward crown to the tube which results in positive camber. Two of our local truck and trailer alignment shops have local customers as well as out of state customers drop off their rigs year in and year out to get their alignment checked and corrected if needed. They start with an examination of shackles, springs, and bushings, as well as spring eye mounts. Past that, hydraulics and chains are used to bend the axles into specs. It runs around $200+ to check and align a 2 axle rig here in Wichita.

[DeanV]

That is my understanding also.

[Jayhawker]

Originally Posted by DeanV

Does anyone know of a shop that can check my trailer axles and perform an alignment if needed in the St. Louis area?

Had irregular tire wear on a previous TT we owned. Took it to a frame shop that deals with large trucks, buses and many trailers. Corrected alignment problem and was in and out same day.

[NJBreeze]

Originally Posted by dieselguy

"There is no alignment per se" ... I beg to differ. All trailers have their axle tubes made with positive camber and an ever so slight bit of toe in. That's why when you look at an axle tube there is a slight upward crown to the tube which results in positive camber. Two of our local truck and trailer alignment shops have local customers as well as out of state customers drop off their rigs year in and year out to get their alignment checked and corrected if needed. They start with an examination of shackles, springs, and bushings, as well as spring eye mounts. Past that, hydraulics and chains are used to bend the axles into specs. It runs around $200+ to check and align a 2 axle rig here in Wichita.

Your kind of re-enforcing what I said. Check for broken items and then there are other problems with the axles, frame, etc. I was coming at it from what people understand from a car where there are specific easy adjustments to be made.

If the axles are not straight then your into more "brute force" means to fix them and the shops that are referenced are "frame shops" like you would go to for a bent frame on a car but quite a bit bigger. Again though, there is a greater level of involvement even in finding one of those shops. There are places that straighten axles but that isn't enough, it obviously has to be straight with the frame.

The axle tubes are bowed up for strength. If you wanted camber or toe in you could add it different ways but that would be more expensive so they use the cheaper method that we currently have which is just manufacturing "pre-bent".

[si camper]

Originally Posted by DeanV

Does anyone know of a shop that can check my trailer axles and perform an alignment if needed in the St. Louis area?

A few years back, a friend needed an axle alignment and found a truck shop in Cape Girardeau, MO. Sorry that I can't name the place or verify that its still in business.

[Joe_GA]

These guys are in Springfield, MO and do a great job.




https://crumptruck.com/

[tcrossan]

Thanks JayHawker. I spoke with my mobile mechanic and he suggested an alignment as well.
There is one in Tampa, American Frame and Axle.
They have done work for me before. A nasty tow through an industrial part of Tampa but they did a good job last time and a different 5th wheel.
Trailer is only 2 years old. I hope its still under Lippert frame wtty as I suspect the shackle brackets were welded in the wrong place.

[Freebird2020]

You might want to check with these people in St. Charles area. http://completestl.com/

Good luck!

[KSH]

Anyone have a recommendation for a similar shop in middle Tennessee?