Poor quality control

We have the alignment checked every two years.More often if we run over something or travel on OK or LA roads.

rgatijnet1 wrote:

CG Dawson wrote:
Loading should absolutely not have any effect on alignment!

I'm guessing that Henderson's knows a little more about alignment than you do and will go with what they endorse:
Even when a coach is brand new, it’s a good idea to have the wheel alignment checked. The factory runs each coach through the wheel alignment process pretty fast—and when the coach is loaded for travel, especially an independent front suspension (IFS) coach, the alignment changes as the load changes.
Hendersons front end alignment

From the the Henderson page:

"Even when a coach is brand new, it’s a good idea to have the wheel alignment checked. The factory runs each coach through the wheel alignment process pretty fast—and when the coach is loaded for travel, especially an independent front suspension (IFS) coach, the alignment changes as the load changes. The only exception are self-leveling, air ride suspension coaches, where correct ride height is constantly maintained. Straight axle coaches don’t change as much, but it’s still a good idea to check the alignment when the coach is loaded."

Note the exception for air suspension. I fully agree that anything Henderson says should be taken as gospel.

Does alignment change according to the load? It depends on the design of the suspension. So, tell us what kind of suspension your coach has.

moisheh wrote:
Most mfrs. do an alignment at the end of the production run. Unless you are travelling with your antique anvil collection you do not need to have it aligned upon delivery. Think of the many hundreds of thousands of HD PU's sold every year. Do they align them when they are loaded? Of course not. What about Class 8 trucks? However it only takes one hard curb hit to change everything. Watching how many RV owners drive it is no wonder they need an alignment ! Maybe it is the driver that needs an alignment !

You guys can keep saying that loading does not affect alignment, but that does not make it true. Geeze, how many pick-up trucks are constantly driven fully loaded every single day, like most RV's? If they were, they would need the alignment adjusted. I posted the Fleetwood owner's manual link that clearly says that they align the front end at the factory but that the owner is responsible for having it checked AFTER he has the coach loaded for travel and re-adjusted if needed. It ALSO says that Fleetwood will not pay for having the alignment re-set after being loaded.
Now, lets see what Goodyear says about those pesky Class 8 trucks.
"Alignment changes as load changes, especially steer axle camber, caster and toe."
Here is the link for that: Goodyear

If you really think that loading a coach does not affect alignment, then do some research and post a link that proves your point. I've posted several that say that loading does affect the alignment. Basically any load that changes the ride height changes the alignment. If you travel so lightly with your coach that the ride height is not affected, then no problem. If you are like most people that load their coach close to the max gross, then you should have your alignment checked when loaded. Like I said if you can't afford an alignment, don't do it because tires are cheap.

Most mfrs. do an alignment at the end of the production run. Unless you are travelling with your antique anvil collection you do not need to have it aligned upon delivery. Think of the many hundreds of thousands of HD PU's sold every year. Do they align them when they are loaded? Of course not. What about Class 8 trucks? However it only takes one hard curb hit to change everything. Watching how many RV owners drive it is no wonder they need an alignment ! Maybe it is the driver that needs an alignment !

RayChez wrote:
But in all fairness to the original poster, he is correct on his statement. You should not have to lube or align a brand new coach. If you do have to do this, then somebody is not doing their job out of the factory.

That would be correct, however based on what has been posted it seems the OP actually has no experience with a new coach, so it appears he has absolutely no idea what he's talking about.

It's pretty hard to throw a mfg under the bus when you buy it used then opine about what may or may not have been done XX years before you bought it.

But in all fairness to the original poster, he is correct on his statement. You should not have to lube or align a brand new coach. If you do have to do this, then somebody is not doing their job out of the factory.

And once again, he posts a complaint and then never comes back. And his complaint was about something that "allegedly" happened 15 years ago.

Bruce Hoggatt wrote:
Why should you need to lube and align front wheels on a new monaco?

Simple. The Factory aligns EVERY motorhome after it leaves Final finish. But, that motorhome is then driven to the Dealer. LOTS of things can happen on the way to the dealer or on the dealers lot from test drives. WHY you would LUBE NEW front wheels, well, maybe someone else can answer that. Doug