So what's the going price for an alignment ? I know when the word "MH" comes into the equation for some reason the $$ signs get higher..Got the New to me 05 FW 5000. 25 ft with 29K on the OD.The old tires were some off brand name, they had a kinda choppy wear pattern if that makes since , not worn on the sides, middle or ? just had the choppy wear like it bounced down the road wear.(saw that on alot of the used MH's we looked at)...I put on new Bilsteins shocks front and rear, new Michelin's all the way around. Called the local place here that has a nice following of customers and they were recommended by alot of people.I go in for my scheduled appointment, he writes me up for $80.00I'm ok with that. He drives it around starts to pull it inside and it won't fit inside their shop overhead lights etc too low.Backs it out , says sorry can't do it.I call up the next place on the list witch was rec. and over the phone its $150 for starters I'm told :E No going into detail after I ask what all is done , just $150 and we go from there... I didn't like his tone saying "and we go from there"!I kindly reply back thank you and end phone call. I then call up a place where I used to live close in Redding Ca. Talked to the guy there and he quotes $115 for a standard alignment which includes what they use to call a thrust alignment where as not only are they checking the front out ,they also check the rear end as well to make sure its running true with the front end.So curious to know what others have paid or quoted ?

A place here quoted me about $140 for alignment and tire rotation

Ford or Chevy? Ford is aligned by taking the upper balljoint bushings out and replacing with either 1. Selected fits of fixed offset bushings from an inventory or 2. Adjustable offset bushings that you can't find for less than $25 and they retail for around $50. An E350/450 (any Ford Van, actually) takes more labor hours to set up than an 18-wheeler. Around here the base alignment is around $150 PLUS parts. Be sure fire certain parts like your bushings, ball joints and tie rods are all good. Also beware that some shops, all too many, look at a Ford Van and all they do, even at a sizeable price, is adjust the Toe-In. I can do that in my driveway and it doesn't do a thing for the other angles Caster and Camber. Make sure the shop knows that YOU know what needs to be done! Also, don't let them put CASTER to the center of the spec range which is about 3* positive. GET AT LEAST 5* POSITIVE!!! The max per spec is 7* positive. Here are the specs used by a nationally recognized RV chassis specialist: LEFT Camber 1/4+ and Caster +5. RIGHT Camber Zero and Caster +5.5. The right Caster is supposed to be +1/2+ compared to left Caster.Chevy is aligned with alignment shims like most GM pickups and the older cars (big RWD Oldsmobile 98 etc.) with "wishbone" front ends. The upper wishbone is the upper control arm and the shims go in the shaft mount for that upper.That Nationally Recognized shop is Henderson's Lineup over the border in Grants Pass OR. I'm sure their work ain't cheap but I think they can get Fords tracking right.

I see that the OP has a Chevy Chassis. They are not prone to the problems that The Fords have and are a lot easier to align without the extra amount of Caster.I just had mine aligned after more than 96000 miles. I also asked about any thing else such as rear alignment and was told that unless it was dog tracking nothing more had to be done.It was taken on a test ride before and after to insure that all was in working order and if anything else had to be done,It didn't. It is on a Chevy chassis like yours,It cost $89.95 plus tax.I was having no problems with it but after all those miles I thought it may be a good idea to have it checked.The Tech that did the work said that all the components were in fine shape and very little wear and a small adjustment to the steering and it was ready to go.I would have a good alignment shop that is versed in truck chassis to do the work. The one I use,and have for years, is just that, they specialize in Trucks and RVs.

Yep its a Chevy , I might wait awhile on the alignment till the next time I head up north to visit friends and get it done up there...Thanks for the replies !

Lots of 5000's seem to be on Chevy, we looked at a new one and liked it. Somehow I missed Chevy on this one, despite looking. Was gonna say "under $100" for Chevy, but that's quoted above.Your only problem should be a door that lets it into the bay and a rack set up to carry it level.

Going Price For An Alignment ? | Good Sam Community

12 Replies

j-d
Explorer II
Mar 18, 2015
As I would have thought. It's caster/camber because the angles are tied together. You found somebody who understands.
leeper
Explorer
Mar 18, 2015
j-d wrote:
Outstanding price, Leeper. What were the "parts?"

The part was a camber/caster bushing.
j-d
Explorer II
Mar 17, 2015
Outstanding price, Leeper. What were the "parts?"
leeper
Explorer
Mar 17, 2015
I went to Terrill's Truck Alignment in Anderson. Cost $125 for labor and $35 for parts on my E450 motorhome. He is good. Total $162. It really made a difference.
jeffengle
Explorer
Mar 17, 2015
It's good to have a thrust alignment, if the rear axle is slightly left or right, that makes the vehicle dog track, maybe not visible, In order to go straight down the road, the steering wheel needs to be turned, if you turn the wheel slightly it will change the camber settings & through off the caster settings. Remember the rear wheels determine the attitude of the vehicle going down the road. Even if your steering wheel is straight, your rear axle could be off. And by the way Ford has no more problems than Chev. Both front ends have been around since the 60s. Align the front end right one time & no more problems.
cgmartine
Explorer
Mar 17, 2015
Truck repair shop in California was charging $75.00 per hour for a wheel alignment on a Ford e450. They told me that unless I was having significant problems with steering, that an alignment would not do much, so I left it alone.
OFDPOS
Explorer
Mar 17, 2015
Yeah the first place was really a trusted place, they do most of the City vehicles. It just kinda got me that the week before I had drove the MH over just so they could see and check out the MH , he said shouldn't be a problem.
They are located in a Commercial Industrial type buildings setup with the smaller roll up doors..

It doesn't pull , drift or shimmy at all stays pretty true going down the road now that I put on new shocks and especially the new tires.

J-D mentioned 5000, this is the first one I've ever seen.
Our last MH was a 01 GS Conquest Sport we drove it all the way back East to Washington DC 21 states in 26 days never saw another GS Conquest like ours till we were actually 15 miles from home on I-80 they had the same look on their faces as we passed them! lol
j-d
Explorer II
Mar 17, 2015
Lots of 5000's seem to be on Chevy, we looked at a new one and liked it. Somehow I missed Chevy on this one, despite looking. Was gonna say "under $100" for Chevy, but that's quoted above.
Your only problem should be a door that lets it into the bay and a rack set up to carry it level.
OFDPOS
Explorer
Mar 17, 2015
Yep its a Chevy , I might wait awhile on the alignment till the next time I head up north to visit friends and get it done up there...

Thanks for the replies !
IAMICHABOD
Explorer II
Mar 16, 2015
I see that the OP has a Chevy Chassis. They are not prone to the problems that The Fords have and are a lot easier to align without the extra amount of Caster.

I just had mine aligned after more than 96000 miles. I also asked about any thing else such as rear alignment and was told that unless it was dog tracking nothing more had to be done.It was taken on a test ride before and after to insure that all was in working order and if anything else had to be done,It didn't. It is on a Chevy chassis like yours,It cost $89.95 plus tax.

I was having no problems with it but after all those miles I thought it may be a good idea to have it checked.

The Tech that did the work said that all the components were in fine shape and very little wear and a small adjustment to the steering and it was ready to go.

I would have a good alignment shop that is versed in truck chassis to do the work. The one I use,and have for years, is just that, they specialize in Trucks and RVs.

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Going Price For An Alignment ?

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