How to Realign Boat Trailer Tires
Extend the life of the tires on a boat trailer by having them realigned on a regular basis. As the boat trailer travels down the highway the tires are required to be parallel to one another. Traveling can eventually knock the boat trailer tires out of alignment.
- Park the trailer on a level paved area that is straight and clear of debris.
- Inspect the tires to ensure that they are parallel to one another. In order to do this accurately the tires need to be checked for tow in and tow out.
- Place a mark that is visible on the inside front of one of the tires. The mark needs to go from the bottom to the top of the tire.
- Mark the back of the tire from the rim and do the exact to the opposite tire. Use the measurements from the distance of the first mark to the pavement.
- Measure the distance between the two front tires and then the two rear tires.
- Bend the axle to align the tires. Adjustments can now be made if needed.
- Inspect the axle to see which way to bend it. This has to be accomplished in order to bring the wheels into alignment.
- Jack the boat trailer up until the chains become tight.
- Measure the front and back rim to make sure that the tires are parallel.
- Relieve the pressure of the jack. The axle should swing back slightly upon doing this. The axle needs to flex back in order to achieve the goal of realigning trailer tires.
- Inspect the tires to verify that the trailer tires are realigned.