Trailer dog-legging - Truckers' Trucking Forum | Message Board

candab · **^ Top** #1 12.02.2007

Got another question that I need advice on! When I'm driving a different trailer, sometimes I get one that really doglegs off to the right on me. It's not because of the road slant or wind.

My bro tells me that it's usually because the bogies get thrown back on one side and forward on the other on tight U-turns and you need to straighten them out. Usually you can do this by either hitting the trailer spike at a low speed to even things out, or to U-turn in the opposite direction of the way it's tracking. I've tried this numerous times on a couple trailers and still can't get it straightened out. Any other suggestions?

Burky · **^ Top** #2 12.02.2007

This is most common in vans and other trailers with adjustable wheelbases. Not a hack of a lot you can do to fix it, since the main source of the problem is accumulated wear in the slider mechanism of the trailer. As a rough general ground rule, if it's more than 6 inches, I would call the shop and discuss it with the mechanics, and possibly down the trailer. I pull trailers with solidly fixed rear ends, so it isn't a problem I have to deal with very often. But while attempting to make tight turns and other efforts may work, they don;t solve the real root of the problem. The back end is worn and it needs to be repaired properly.

MACK E-6 · **^ Top** #3 12.02.2007

Well, either that or it just needs an alignment. Trailer axles have an adjustable "tie-rod", so to speak, which allows this.

jlkklj777 · **^ Top** #4 12.02.2007

I have never heard of making a u turn to fix a dogleg! I needed a good laugh and that did it! Thank you!!!
In all seriousness now that doesnt work. If anyone tells you different they are pulling your leg. The fact is the axles are out of alignnment. The ONLY way to fix a dog leg is for the trailer to be put in a trailer repair shop where they will use an alignment device to line everything up and then make the proper adjustments with the proper tools. A doglegging trailer will ruin tires very quickly so be sure to report this to your company shop asap so it may be corrected.

javelinjeff · **^ Top** #5 12.02.2007

yep,kinda like when your car pulls to one side on a straight,flat road.wheels are out of alignment or something is bent-same applies to trailers as most have an adjustable tracking bar for the sliding tandems

Big Red · **^ Top** #6 12.02.2007

I picked up a 53 footer that had been hit in the side. It had been repaired, 6 panels replaced and the frame rails resectioned and welded.

It tracked so far out to the right, I couldn't see out my passenger side mirror to the rear.

Problem was a bent axle. It was very bent and should have been repaired when the trailer was in the shop. This trailer had been out in the system for 6 weeks before I reported the problem. My shop people tried to blame the bent axle on me...because I reported it.

I had to drag it 1000 miles before I could deliver and I took the trailer to the repair shop personally. I guess it got repaired, but I never had to pull that one again.

Truckerjo · **^ Top** #7 12.02.2007

Well I can tell you what I do when I get a trl that dog legs...
engage the divider
turn the truck slightly to the opposite side the trl is dog legging...
Apply the trl breaks and the back into the trl a few times....

This does not always helps but sometimes it does work for me.....

wallbanger · **^ Top** #8 12.03.2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by candab

Got another question that I need advice on! When I'm driving a different trailer, sometimes I get one that really doglegs off to the right on me. It's not because of the road slant or wind.

or to U-turn in the opposite direction of the way it's tracking. I've tried this numerous times on a couple trailers and still can't get it straightened out. Any other suggestions?

LOL! You are supposed to turn the opposite way of the dogleg, with the trailer brakes LOCKED! Come on rook, don't you know that basic trick!

Quote:

Originally Posted by MACK E-6

Well, either that or it just needs an alignment. Trailer axles have an adjustable "tie-rod", so to speak, which allows this.

Seriously, Mack is right. If you are in a pinch, the trailer axles can be realigned without any fancy alignment tools, but still has to be done by a shop. If you pickup another POS trailer, then do an extra careful tire inspect, since like the other poster mentioned doglegging tends to wear out CERTAIN tires (position wise) much more quickly.

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