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Old 11-07-2020, 11:52 AM   #1
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Tires Out of Line?

Was just out practicing backing up and parking with our new rig and noticed something strange. When backing into a "spot" and turning the trailer, from behind it looks as if the front and rear tires are at different angles side to side. Is this normal? When we're straightened out and not pushing the trailer to turn everything looks perfect.
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Old 11-07-2020, 12:13 PM   #2
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Originally Posted by tacchino View Post
Was just out practicing backing up and parking with our new rig and noticed something strange. When backing into a "spot" and turning the trailer, from behind it looks as if the front and rear tires are at different angles side to side. Is this normal? When we're straightened out and not pushing the trailer to turn everything looks perfect.
It's normal.

The centre point for a twin axle trailer is half way between the front and rear axles.
If you see tire scrubbing, it is most often due to a tight turn causing (usually the front axle) it by forcing one axle or the other to turn much tighter than the other.

You will often see this with semi-trailers any time they are backing up, or taking a tight turn. One axle has to take the turn more quickly than the other causing a scrubbing or greater visible deflection of a tire as it goes around the corner.

ETI recommends 50 PSI tire pressures for their trailers and to check wheel nut torque regularly. But rest assured, unless you see signs of scrubbing while travelling in a straight line, you should be good.
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Old 11-07-2020, 12:43 PM   #3
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That makes sense, thanks for the reassurance and explanation!
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Old 11-07-2020, 12:51 PM   #4
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I’ve noticed uneven wear on our 2017 is there an alignment procedure for the dexter axles ?
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Old 11-07-2020, 01:00 PM   #5
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Have noticed that angle difference too and wondered; thanks for info. On tire wear a common cause can be a loose or bad bearing.
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Old 11-07-2020, 02:26 PM   #6
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While most of the difference is likely in tire deflection (as the tires are pushed sideways in opposite directions) there may also be some similar deflection of the rubber which acts as springs and bushings in the suspension.

As long as the camber (angle from vertical) of the wheels is similar, as measured when not being forced to turn, then there isn't a problem. Camber should be slightly positive (top of wheel further out then bottom of wheel) with no load on the axle, and will be less positive or even a bit negative under load.

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I’ve noticed uneven wear on our 2017 is there an alignment procedure for the dexter axles ?
Just bolting them to frame brackets which are properly installed. There is no provision for adjustment of alignment in the Dexter Torflex design.
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Old 11-07-2020, 02:32 PM   #7
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I’ve noticed uneven wear on our 2017 is there an alignment procedure for the Dexter axles ?
The alignment of Dexter Torsion Axles is dictated by location of the mounts that fix them to the trailer frame. There is nothing to 'adjust' or 'align' once the assembly is installed (the 'slop' in the axle-to-mount bolt holes is essentially 'nil', they are not 'slotted' to allow (mis)adjustment). Same goes for the bolt-in 'lift-kit spacers' if you have that option.

Obviously, it's possible for the axle mounts to be incorrectly installed to the frame, and it's possible for the alignment to be affected by damage or defect to the frame, mounts, or axle itself.

Alignment of the assembly can be 'checked' by making very careful measurements from the unloaded (trailer supported with wheels-off) axle-stub end centerpoints to the centerpoint of the hitch-ball - the length of those two 'sides of a triangle' for any given axle should be identical; if not, something is amiss.

EDIT - Ooops, typing while Brian B-P addressed the subject
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Old 11-07-2020, 06:40 PM   #8
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Ooops, typing while Brian B-P addressed the subject
Yes, but you provided a more complete explanation.
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