A vehicle is dog-tracking. Which alignment angle is most likely the cause?

Dog-tracking refers to a condition when a vehicle does not travel in a straight line, typically because the rear wheels are misaligned relative to the front wheels. The alignment angle most likely responsible for this condition is the rear toe angle.

Rear toe describes the angle at which the rear wheels are aligned in relation to the centerline of the vehicle. If the rear toe is out of specification (either too "toe-in" or "toe-out"), it can cause the rear wheels to track differently from the front ones. As a result, this misalignment can create a scenario where the vehicle appears to be traveling sideways or "dog-tracking."

In contrast, front toe, rear camber, and front camber primarily affect the handling and tire wear characteristics of the vehicle, but they are less likely to impact the straight-line tracking of the vehicle. In dog-tracking situations, the primary concern is the alignment of the rear wheels relative to the front, making rear toe the key angle to consider.