Method For Measuring Trailer Axle Alignment

A method for measuring alignment of one or more axles on a trailer or semi-trailer coupled to a tow vehicle, comprising:

• establishing a measurement reference point associated with the tow vehicle;
• establishing a reference line associated with the trailer or semi-trailer;
• mounting alignment sensor means to the outer wheel assemblies on at least one axle of the coupled trailer or semi-trailer;
• conducting a rolling runout compensation procedure for said mounted alignment sensor means on the trailer or semi-trailer while the trailer or semi-trailer remains coupled to the tow vehicle to compensate measurements from said mounted alignment sensor means;
• acquiring alignment measurement data from each of said mounted alignment sensor means;
• and
• adjusting an orientation of said one or more axles on the trailer or semi-trailer to within a specification tolerance utilizing said established reference point and said established reference line in response to said acquired alignment measurement data indicating misalignment.

A method for measuring alignment of at least two axles on a multi-axle trailer or semi-trailer coupled to a tow vehicle, comprising:

• establishing a measurement reference point associated with the tow vehicle;
• establishing a reference line associated with the trailer or semi-trailer;
• mounting alignment sensor means to the outer wheel assemblies on said at least two axles of the coupled multi-axle trailer or semi-trailer;
• and
• acquiring from said mounted alignment sensor means, a measurement of a thrust angle for a first axle of the multi-axle trailer or semi-trailer utilizing said established reference point and said established reference line, and a measurement of a scrub angle for at least a second axle of the multi-axle trailer or semi-trailer, while said multi-axle trailer or semi-trailer remains coupled to the tow vehicle.

A method for measuring alignment of one or more axles on a trailer or semi-trailer coupled to a tow vehicle, comprising:

• mounting alignment sensor means to the tow vehicle and to each outer wheel assembly on said first selected axle of the trailer or semi-trailer;
• establishing a measurement reference point associated with the tow vehicle from said alignment sensor means mounted to the tow vehicle;
• establishing a reference line associated with the trailer or semi-trailer;
• conducting a rolling runout compensation procedure for at least each mounted alignment sensor means on the coupled trailer or semi-trailer;
• and
• measuring an orientation of a first axle on the trailer or semi-trailer utilizing the established reference point and the established reference line while said trailer or semi-trailer remains coupled to the tow vehicle.