The axle - how far off centered is ok?
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Topic: The axle - how far off centered is ok?
Posted By: techntrek
Subject: The axle - how far off centered is ok?
Date Posted: 20 Aug 2013 at 9:59pm
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I checked the measurement front-to-back of both sides of my axle this evening. It is against my deck so it was hard to get a perfect measurement. In the end the best I could do since I didn't have help was to measure from the rear corner of the frame to the outer rear-most edge of the tire. I found a 1/4 inch difference between each side. That's at an angle so the actual difference must be less. So, while dead-even would be perfect, does anyone think I need to worry about this? ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Replies:
Posted By: Sleepless
Date Posted: 20 Aug 2013 at 10:21pm
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That amount is actually minimal and not nearly enough to be of concern. Just curious, but what prompted you to take the measurements? I have had boat trailers and utility trailers that were off well over an inch and tracking was never a problem. Since pods have but one axle, any amount of misalignment of the axle will have no effect on tire wear, braking, or anything else. Bob ------------- 2014 R-Pod 178 (OUR POD) 2009 Chevrolet Avalanche |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 21 Aug 2013 at 9:57am
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Tracks straight? Tire wear is even? Fogetaboutit...  ------------- |
Posted By: Seanl
Date Posted: 21 Aug 2013 at 10:39am
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I just got back from a 1500 mile trip and for most of the trip my driver side tire looked like it had negative camber in my rear view mirror. I once had a trailer where I bent the axle so I am sensitive to any changes in camber. I got out to look at it and it looked fine. I finally decided that there was some distortion in my drivers side mirror. Warning objects in mirror may appear crooked.
I am with sleepless and furpod though a small difference as long and you are not seeing uneven tirewear is fine. ------------- Sean, 2011 Rpod RP-173,2009 Jeep Liberty Rocky Mountain Edition 
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Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 21 Aug 2013 at 11:08am
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I would think as long as the wheels track with each other parallel) a little misalignment of the axle on a two wheel trailer will cause no problem. ------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: KrogPod
Date Posted: 21 Aug 2013 at 1:11pm
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Great discussion,
I would think that the best measurement would be from the center of the ball socket to the axle center at the wheel. I would not trust that the rear if the frame is necessary square. My trailer is easy to get to so I will measure mine as I described and also how your check was done and see if I get a difference. Paul ------------- 2014 RP-172, AKA KrogPod 2003 S10 ExCab V6 4.3L Automatic Central Texas 
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Posted By: Sleepless
Date Posted: 21 Aug 2013 at 1:59pm
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Seems like we are all repeating each other about the not-effects on tracking, tire wear, etc. Bob ------------- 2014 R-Pod 178 (OUR POD) 2009 Chevrolet Avalanche |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 21 Aug 2013 at 5:18pm
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Good to know, thanks. We now have over 11,000 miles on our pod and I noticed that on both tires one section of tire on the inside - not the inside edge but the "stripe" next to it - is worn down more than the rest of the tire. I know and understand cupping but this doesn't look like that. Maybe its just where the majority of the load is applied to the road. So that's why I thought I would check to see how straight the axle is. I'll have to decide next spring if I'm going to replace them before we do the next section of our cross-country tour. There's plenty of tread left even on the worn section but next year they'll be at the 5-year mark which I've always heard is at the limit for trailer tires. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: Sleepless
Date Posted: 21 Aug 2013 at 7:24pm
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Doug, I just had another thought about your measurements and concern. I believe all of us based our comments on the actual positioning of the axle under the trailer. There is one other condition that can affect the measurements. A slightly bent axle. I bought an almost new, lightly used Nomad trailer back in 1996 and soon noticed that the tires on one axle were wearing unevenly. The dealer checked things out and found that one of the axles was actually bent. The manufacturer picked up the trailer, took it to their facilities in Elkhart IN, replaced the axle and the tires and returned it to my driveway at their expense. Your pod is apparently not showing any signs of unusual tire wear, so it is highly unlikely that you have that problem. Just thought I would mention it....... Bob ------------- 2014 R-Pod 178 (OUR POD) 2009 Chevrolet Avalanche |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 22 Aug 2013 at 9:47pm
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The section that is wearing more is visible on both sides, so likely just "normal". When I get the pod back on my driveway I'll have to take a closer look at the measurements.
------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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