Wheel alignment on new motor home

[two_travelers]

We're in the process of buying a Newmar Bay Star 2903. Dealer says not necessary to do a wheel alignment, but I've heard otherwise. Would appreciate suggestions from forum members. Thanks!!

[Hikerdogs]

Keep in mind that the chassis are mass produced. The "alignment" person gets extremely limited time do check, let alone change any alignment specifications.

As a kid I worked at a GM plant that made the P series chassis. They were produced on the same line and at the same speed as everything from a 1/2 to pickup to a 10 to straight truck. Depending on the production demand the alignment person had between 2 to 3 minutes to check and change any parameters necessary.

The only thing they cared about was getting it close. They didn't have time to put all adjustments into perfect alignment. As for the body builders all I've ever seen them do is to check the toe in and adjust it to be within the specification range.

When was the last time you took a car or truck into an alignment shop and had it completed within 3 minutes? The "alignment" performed at the factory was intended to get the vehicle from the assembly line to the dealership without damaging anything. I don't know what all is involved in the normal PDI of a new automobile or truck these days, but when I worked for both Ford and GM dealerships an alignment was part of the package.

Most RV dealerships don't have the capacity to do alignments. Thus they push the responsibility off to the retail customer. As far back as 1999 Ford released a TSB stating that it was the retail customers responsibility to have the front end aligned on any motorhome built on the F53 chassis. They recommend loading the motorhome with all the gear, fuel, and water you normally travel with. To this day they have not changed their position.

If you can negotiate an alignment into the price of the motorhome the more power to you. If you can't it should still be done. The price of an alignment is about 1/3 the cost of a single new tire. If you don't like replacing prematurely tires I would strongly suggest investing in an alignment.

[jspringator]

I have all my new cars aligned within a week of purchase. All of them have been out I can't imagine a motorhome would be any better.

[holstein13]

I bought a brand new Newmar last year and I visited the factory twice. I was surprised to see that Newmar aligns every coach before it leaves the factory. I mentioned this to my tour guide and she was shocked to learn that other manufacturers don't do this. She had no idea.

In any case, my coach ran fine, but then I signed up for chassis training by Spartan in Charlotte Michigan 10 months later. Spartan weighed the coach, checked the ride height, checked all the suspension bolts, and checked the alignment. They made a tiny change to my alignment, no change to ride height or bolts, and suggested a change to my tire pressures. The changes were amazing. The already good ride became superb.

So yes, go ahead and do the alignment again after it's weighed down and as everyone else has said, go to a qualified truck shop. I highly suggest you contact the chassis manufacturer and ask them for a recommendation on where to take it.

[dcbrewer]

randallb wrote:
Someone please explain to me, in detail, why a straight axle equipped vehicle needs a wheel alignment after it is loaded. I understand that there is a possibility that the chassis manufacturer might not get it right during the build but the weight, in theory, will have no effect on the alignment.
Randy

Same thing I was thinking, should it be a straight axle, how can it change with weight.

[Fiesta]

Bought a new RV on a Freightliner XCS chassis. 1st unit we wanted to buy pulled to right semi-bad. Dealer took it truck alignment shop and found serious problems, dealer would not let us buy it. We did want it either if there were going to be problems later.
2nd unit pulled to right slightly. Alignment shop got it right, drives good now.
Do a test drive before signing papers.
All NEW RV's need alignment.

[Busskipper]

wolfe10 wrote:
Good idea to load it as you will be using it, weigh it so you can accurately set tire pressures and THEN have an alignment done. Get a "before and after" print out and have them set caster toward the high end of spec. That will help with tracking.

Sums it up - Alignment needs to be done by a real Bus/Truck commercial outfit - Took mine back to the Manufacturer/Dealer three times before I realized they just did not understand, took it to the Local(Baltimore) truck shop, after a real alignment, was like a new Coach, a pleasure to drive all day.

After you decide (have it done) let us know how it went, it was the best $165 I ever spent on the Coach.

BOL,

[Snomas]

I always do a wheel alignment when first purchased!

[ArchHoagland]

Our Monaco came with a free front end alignment. I didn't think it was necessary so I didn't have it done.

Bought new steer tires at about 30,000 and had an alignment done then but of course the free alignment had expired by then.

So get it aligned after you've loaded it up the way it will be loaded most of the time.

[wilco]

I've had both of the "new" coaches I've purchased aligned once loaded as part of the deal. Both (from different manufactures and with different chassis). Both needed some adjustment.

Considering the price of tires and the possibility of handling problems if it's not right, I believe that this is prudent.

[4ever16]

For what this is worth...my front tires were wearing about 1\2 in on the outside of both tires....had aligned. Was told the turning circle was off.. Redone..all is well now..

[randallb]

The reason a straight axle is used on trucks is not because of the great ride. It is used because as load increases the ride height changes but since there is a single tie rod between the steering knuckles the toe will not change. The steering wheel may move off center due to the change in angle of the drag link, the rod from the steering box to the left steering knuckle, but the toe remains constant. If the camber is changing with load then you are overloading the axle to a point that is dangerous. In certain instances changing the caster will have an effect on straight line stability but this makes the steering heavier at low speeds. Remember all designs specifications are a compromise to accomplish the best result from multiple requirements.
Randy

[RLS7201]

randallb wrote:
Someone please explain to me, in detail, why a straight axle equipped vehicle needs a wheel alignment after it is loaded. I understand that there is a possibility that the chassis manufacturer might not get it right during the build but the weight, in theory, will have no effect on the alignment.
Randy

Exactly..........The alignment won't change with an independent front suspension either, if the ride height don't change, which it shouldn't, if it has air bags.

Richard

[Dale_Traveling]

Toured the Newmar facility last summer. Last station on the assembly line is an alignment jig that each coach passes thru. Your new coach should be pretty close but how much stuff you pack in can effect the alignment. Won't hurt to have it checked but take the coach to a heavy vehicle shop.

[2gypsies1]

We bought our Newmar new (Spartan) and never had to have an alignment. It was checked a few times in 16 years but not needed.