Alignment Question

It also depends heavily on what kind of suspension your truck has. A solid axle "alignment" is pretty much limited to toe unless it's way out of whack.

egarant wrote:

Buzzcut1 wrote:
I seriously doubt that any regular tire shop has a tall enoug bay to put my truck and tc on the alignment rack.

X2

Again,

Shop can accommodate with the camper loaded, height weight not a problem.

nevermind

free radical wrote:

OBXcamper wrote:
Assuming the TC will be on the truck about 50% of the time would you get the alignment checked with or without the camper loaded?

Any alignment shop telling you otherwise only want to get more money from you..

No difference in price, with or without camper.

Buzzcut1 wrote:
I seriously doubt that any regular tire shop has a tall enoug bay to put my truck and tc on the alignment rack.

I had the tires rotated and the silly kid raised the truck on the lift with the shop door open,,,it's exactly 10 feet high with camper on and promptly broke the window and made nice dent in the door with the edge of my solar panel,,
I Was lucky though as it's instaled slighty sloping so the aluminum edge took all the brunt and to my surprise nothing broke..
From now on I always stand around and watch anyone working on it!

OBXcamper wrote:
Assuming the TC will be on the truck about 50% of the time would you get the alignment checked with or without the camper loaded?

Makes no difference imo,alignment doesn't change by puting load onto a truck,if it did you'd have to align it every time you load and unload something,yes?

At least that what a pro trucker with million miles of experience told me..

Any alignment shop telling you otherwise only want to get more money from you..

I've had 2000 GMC and my curent 08 Chev and none of those needed alignment in 300 K plus miles and ten years of driving,,

Buzzcut1 wrote:
I seriously doubt that any regular tire shop has a tall enoug bay to put my truck and tc on the alignment rack.

X2

Thanks all, some good points I had not considered. I've ordered 4 Bilstein's and may replace tie rod end and possibly ball joints. Right now the camper is off the truck. When I load it in March it will likely stay on until next fall.

Time on truck vs mileage: Good point. Mileage will be more like 80%.

Shop bay height: Not a regular tire shop and has plenty of clearance, it's a specialty alignment shop.

Front to rear rake: Loaded, my truck sits almost perfectly level, no plans for airbags.

Front weight: I can't find my scale ticket but IIRC there was not much added weight to the front. I do sometimes carry a cooler/rod rack that adds significant weight, especially if I do real well fishing :B

Thanks again, I was curious as to what everyone else would do if you had the option.

ticki2 wrote:
... I agree that 200#+or- on an average 4000# front end isn't going to affect the alignment that much , mostly the camber but that is only one factor . The rear end being high , low or level in relation to the front end will affect the caster angle which in turn affects the steering stability at speed .

I agree. Do not get me started on the value of airbags. Simply stated, they can correct this. With all due respect, this subject as it pertains to Airbags goes way over most folks heads. Fact is, in my opinion, the adjustability of airbags can provide more than a fixed spring upgrade setup. It is difficult to discuss/argue due to most peoples beliefs in one liner solutions.

Wayne

Reddog1 wrote:


For me, I decided 200 pounds is just not much weight, so I ignore it and align without the TC. If I were concerned, I would have the front aligned without the TC. I would put a basket in the front, and load it with 200 pounds of sand, and have them put it back on the machine to see if there was any change. Obviously, you would have to weigh your front and rear axles.

I agree that 200#+or- on an average 4000# front end isn't going to affect the alignment that much , mostly the camber but that is only one factor . The rear end being high , low or level in relation to the front end will affect the caster angle which in turn affects the steering stability at speed .

my dodge dealer does my truck every spring with a laser setup before i load up for the season.no rack involved and it only takes minutes.i did it with my ford as well.2 years ago it was dog tracking really bad.