2017 3rd Gen Taco - Dog Tracking/Crabbing

Hello all! This is my first post, but I have researched all the helpful information posted by members.

My question: Anyone else having "Dog Tracking or Crabbing" issues with their 2017-2018 Tacoma?

The reason for my first post is that my New 2017 Tacoma drives at an angle (positive thrust) or "Dog Tracking." It is very noticeable when following behind my truck. The Toyota Service department first said that if was out of specifications and performed a 4-wheel alignment, this was during my 1st 5000 miles service. After driving a while we noticed that it was still crooked, they didn't fix anything. I took the truck back to Toyota and they sent it out to a body shop. The body shop performed a Tram gage measurement, but Toyota's District Representative instructed them "not to touch" the rear (axle, u-bolts, leaf springs). They body shop "ALIGNED BED TO THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE FOR SIDE TO SIDE ALIGNMENT" but what they actually did was adjust the bed so that it was closer on one side to the cab to help make it look straighter. The service representative said that it would still look crooked to anyone following from behind. They would not provide me with the measurements and Toyota's specifications as proof. I took the truck to an alignment shop and paid for the attached measurements, which shows that it is crooked and drives with a "Positive Thrust angle .30 degrees." I also took it to another shop that measured the frame and they said that my frame (chassis) was not square. It was "diamonded" 1.25inch, the rear axle was off, and that was why it was dog tracking.

I am going to take the truck back in to the dealership to have them document this problem and see what they will do about it. FOR ANYONE LOOKING INTO BUYING A NEW TACOMA...DON'T!!! TOYOTA MIGHT HAVE A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM, BECAUSE I HAVE SEEN A FEW OTHER TACOMAS THAT ARE DRIVING WITH THE SAME ISSUE.

 

wow, this sucks, although I think they are able to straighten frames out now to a certain point? Anyways, hope they make this right for you!!

Steve

 

Most of the alignment sheets I see posted here have about a .20 degree positive thrust...

Your front setback and direction of lateral offset seem odd for a diamond frame with positive thrust.

 

Man....I am dealing with this same issue. 60k miles and I just noticed it the other day. When looking at the rear of my truck it is extremely noticeable. And after some miticulous measurements it is in fact 0.5" offset in the same direction as yours. I raised my truck, unbolted the leafs and attempted to align myself and I was left with the same exact measurements. Going in for a 4 wheel alignment Monday, if I remember I'll post the results as well.

 

Did you ever get this hashed out?

 

Unfortunately no, I have not. I brought it for another alignment at a trusted local shop and my alignment in the front was out-of-whack due to a sloppy, horrible job from the first shop. I asked about the rear end being off and he said most trucks have the rear axle slightly off and there was nothing he could do about it. Now that it has been fully re-aligned the truck drive perfect. So the rear end was never the issue, only aesthetically noticeable.

 

Speaking from years of experience in the industry, nothing OP posted makes sense so I doubt you had/have the same issue. Trucks do frequently have a half inch or even more offset from the factory (just the nature of leaf setups) and it takes a lot of rear offset to actually cause a pull. The greater issue is thrust angle and that too needs to be quite a bit... typically .75 degrees or more.

You might want to see if the bed has shifted over time because it's not uncommon. The curves of the side of the truck hide a lot so I'd start with checking the gap between rear bumper and bedside and measuring the frame to front outer edges of bed under the truck to get an idea.