What causes a trailer to dogtail?

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by bowman316, Nov 11, 2011.

  1. whitewings

    whitewings Light Load Member

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    New 2017 trail dog tracks
     
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  3. 25(2)+2

    25(2)+2 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    I pulled a new one that I picked up.at the factory and it dog tracked enough to rub at an Illinois toll gate.

    Alignment can be adjusted, and a closed tandem is fairly simple to do. Spread axles, not so much. Especially on a drop deck.
     
  4. BUMBACLADWAR

    BUMBACLADWAR Road Train Member

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    Not sure,maybe mismatched tires.Try a different tandem adjustment hole.Have pulled trailers where the kingpin wasn't exactly in the center of the trailer!!
     
  5. MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

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    A little blurry, but this is the worst case of that I've ever seen.


    image.jpeg
     
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  6. roadreject

    roadreject Light Load Member

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  7. rollin coal

    rollin coal Road Train Member

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    They don't align them at the factory when they assemble them. The production line is moving and they don't fine tune something like that. No time for it the line must move. They basically just eye ball it and get it close enough. It's "within spec" that way and considered dealer prep work to align one anyways. Of course dealers don't do it for free. Picked up my 2016 from the factory last year and it dog tracked until I paid a Great Dane shop to align it.
     
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  8. swaan

    swaan Road Train Member

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    This is true. I bought a 2007 Tridem drop deck brand new , when I picked it up from dealer I didn't go more then 1/2 mile and noticed it was dog tracking about a foot to the curb.
    Had it aligned at a shop and lodeking paid for it. Been perfect ever since!
     
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  9. Tolaran

    Tolaran Bobtail Member

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    It has to do with an unbalanced load. The trailer will track towards the heavier side.
     
  10. REO6205

    REO6205 Road Train Member

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    You might get some argument about that.
     
  11. Trucker61016

    Trucker61016 Road Train Member

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    I've sometimes taken and slid the tandems all the way back and kinda make sure the tandems slam a little to get them straight, then I slide them forward and it usually fixed the dog tracking....
     
    Heavyd Thanks this.
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