Trailer dog tracks

[Hooked_on_HP]

My 28' Haulmark enclosed trailer is dog tracking. It always has alittle but seems to be getting worse. It has 5K torsion axles. I looked under it and didn"t see any thing broken or bent, Is there a way to adjust them. I didn't see any slots in the mounting holes.
Bill

 

[smstonypoint]

Just curious. What's "dog tracking"?

Steve

 

[dodge man]

That would be where the trailer is going down the road a little sideways.

If it were me, I would find some reference point on the trailer, such as the front rail, and carefully measure to the wheel centers on each side. My guess is one side is off a little, making the axles "steer" the trailer a little bit and making it go a little sideways. I'm not sure how you would fix it.

 

[flyingcow]

We can line up our tractor trailers, but i don't know about the small ones? If it's got a lot of miles, maybe a bushing(if it has any) is worn? Look carefully at your bolts all around the suspension. When inspecting turn the trailer one way, inspect. Then turn it the other way and inspect. There is going to be movement, but don't know how much is within tolerance. a good hitch inspection might show something?

 

[Diamondpilot]

I will be honest here and say I do not have much experience with torsion axles. They were very popular for a few years in boat trailers then went away due to axle overloading and blown tires. I do not remember any alignment issues.

First thing I would do is check the tires visually. Are they wearing weird?

Next thing is to do a full bearing job on all wheels. Any issues there?

Final thing I would do is check the alignment. We get regular axles aligned at the HD truck shop that works on things like dump trucks and semi trailers. They charge $70 per axle and literally bend them with hydraulics to bring them in alignment.

Chris

 

[Hooked_on_HP]

I just replaced the brakes and repacked the wheel bearings. I jacked it up today and made sure all the wheel bearings were tight. The tires are wearing evenly. The torsion axles are bolted to the frame rails. There isn't a beam going across like in a leaf spring axle. I will try measuring center to center on the axles on each side and see if there is a difference.
Bill

 

[tommu56]

I usually call it fishtailing

I have a carmate trailer similar if it is loaded tail heavy it will do the same thing

check axle alignment
drop a plumb bob from the coupler and measure from there to each hub in the same spot and make sure they are equal. with trailer loaded evenly or empty

Put a long straight edge (4' level) and see if hub is parallel to frame on each side.

tom

 

[Bird]

I think the first thing I'd measure is from the center of the hitch (ball) to the leading edge of the wheel on each side to see if they're the same. If nother is bent or broken, then it would seem that the suspension on one side needs to be moved a tiny bit, but that might require a good welder.