align axle

[edowsfamily]

i have a utility trailer that is about 4-5 years old and it goes through tires way to fast. so has anyone one aligned a trailer axle. if you place a straight edge along tires you can see the alignment is way out by measuring frame to straight edge. it is about 2" at 5 feet long.
im thinking just replace it cheaper and faster

[Isaacs]

Measure from the center of the hitch ball to a common point on each end of the axle. Perhaps where the axle meets the break; it doesn't really matter as long as you use the same point on each side. When the measurements match you are aligned.

[SloPoke]

We had our trailer wheels aligned at a truck/trailer shop. Cost under $200, but well worth the money as it was eating a set of tires /year.

[Jagiven]

How big is the utility trailer? is it a single or double axle? Has it ever been really overloaded? Possibly a twisted the frame?

Taking a few diagonal measurements is the best way to determine the alignment. I would take a paint marker, and mark a few spots to measure frame, and axle. The mark will let you go back and forth a few times and feel confident that you are measuring to the same spot. I would grab a point just behind or in front of the ball, a spot that you can hook your measuring tape onto. Depending on the trailer design you can also go from a corner for the frame to the axle (remember diagonal measurement). Depending on how the trailer is made, you might even want to see if the entire frame, front corner to opposite back corner.

What I am not sure is how close the measurement really need to be to each other. I suspect 1/16" or better.