Can Trailer Hubs Be Shimmed to Adjust Camber

Updated 07/25/2014 | Published 07/24/2014

Question:

I only recently discovered the damage to the tires inside on my 1966 Westerner Trailer, which had a new boat trailer axle installed by the previous owner. The damage is quite severe, but it is discovered after three annual trips to the FL Keys from the eastern shore of VA, a total of 7 to 8 thousand miles. I always load the trailer exactly the same, and I weighed the trailer just before my last trip at 2200 lbs. My guess is the trailer weighs 2750 when loaded. While I am considering purchase of the 3500 lb rated unit from my other question.... I am also wondering, having spoken to my nephew.... a machinist and mechanic. Howe about loosening the hub from the axle and installing a proper sized shim ....seems would be behind the top two mounting bolts..... so as to achieve a true plumb of the backing plate to the hub? Is there any experience with this working, or not?. I know you guys wanna sell trailer axles, and I have been 100 percent satisfied with my service from e-trailer, and was ordering another load-absorbing shock from you guys today anyway. So, anybody care to comment?

asked by: Joe B

Expert Reply:

If you are talking about adjusting the camber of your trailer this can be done by a professional at a trailer alignment shop. There's really no way to shim hubs as they are only held on by the one spindle nut at the end of each axle. The 4 bolt mounting flange you are referring to is for the brake assemblies to mount onto. You would not want to shim this flange as the assemblies need to mount completely square relative to the spindle and installing shims would throw that all of and wouldn't work.

If you need new axles we would be happy to help you pick them out, but if all you need is an alignment on your trailer just take your trailer to an alignment shop and they will set you up.

expert reply by: Jameson C