Forum Discussion

eabc5454's avatar
eabc5454
Explorer
Jul 11, 2013

Wheel alignment

Hello:

We live in a fairly rural area and our selling dealer is 130 miles away. All of the information on our new MH says that you need an alignment when you've equipped the rig the way you're going to drive it.

Here's our dilemma - there are no RV dealers locally that can do the alignment, although there is a dealer of another brand near us. (Where do they send their customers? We asked, they didn't have an answer.) There's an alignment shop in another town (where I work) that said "if it fits on my lot I can align it." That makes me wonder what they plan on doing.

So, where do you take a rig for the correct alignment? A regular alignment shop or an RV dealer? Camping World? We have a CW within 80 miles, but I'd rather not drive that far.

How much should it cost? Do you do all six wheels? I have no idea...we are new MH owners. TT maintenance was easier!

Thanks for the help and wisdom of people more experienced than I!

Elizabeth
Class A
  • ksg5000's avatar
    ksg5000
    Explorer
    Jul 11, 2013
    I took mine to local tire dealer - if rigs too big consider using truck dealer. I personally wouldn't use RV dealer, CW or RV techie for alignment or anything else on the chassis side.
  • philandterri's avatar
    philandterri
    Explorer
    Jul 11, 2013
    Take it to a truck alignment shop or to a ford or chevy dealer that can do alignments.
  • wolfe10's avatar
    wolfe10
    Explorer
    Jul 11, 2013
    Yup truck alignment shop or Ford shop that can handle RV's.
  • eabc5454's avatar
    eabc5454
    Explorer
    Jul 11, 2013
    Thanks for the help, everybody!

    On your advice I called all of the Ford dealers within a 50 mile radius and several large truck repairs places. I made 14 phone calls and finally found a truck tire place that can do the alignment and will charge $65. Who knew this would be so darned hard?

    I have an appointment for 8am on Saturday.

    Elizabeth
  • sdianel_-acct_c's avatar
    sdianel_-acct_c
    Explorer
    Jul 11, 2013
    We use Tampa Spring in Florida. They have 4 locations. Tampa, Lakeland, Ocala and Bradenton. They do heavy duty alignment for trucks, buses, fire trucks, etc.
    Very happy with their work.
  • Tom_N's avatar
    Tom_N
    Explorer
    Jul 11, 2013
    I have a local school bus facility that does alignments. School buses and motorhomes have similar chassis'. Call one in your area.
  • traveylin's avatar
    traveylin
    Explorer
    Jul 12, 2013
    A truck tire facility will have the laser alignment instruments that can do the job, including front to rear wheel checks. Most of the customers at a truck tire facility are professional operators who want the job done right or premature wear comes out of their own pocket
  • doubleG's avatar
    doubleG
    Explorer
    Jul 12, 2013
    What size of rig? If around Orlando, Josam was the best for me.
  • eabc5454's avatar
    eabc5454
    Explorer
    Jul 12, 2013
    Hi - our rig is 31' - pretty short! We live in rural Virginia. Thankfully, I found a large truck tire place about 15 miles from us who can do the alignment. Several of the Ford dealers recommended them, as none of the four Ford dealers in a 50 mile radius have lifts equipped to service RVs.

    I'll keep you posted - our appointment is tomorrow.

    Elizabeth
  • wilco's avatar
    wilco
    Explorer
    Jul 13, 2013
    There are companies that do do this on a mobile basis. I recently got a new coach and wanted this done. My local shop that I had been using for service for many years wanted a ton of money to do it, then I discovered that actually they used a mobile service that I could deal with directly. Less than half the price. All you need is a relatively level spot, a reliable company to do it if you can find one in your area and an hour's time.

    I believe it's worth getting done once a new rig is loaded and some manufacturers strongly recommended it in their manuals. In my case, all was well except for (castor, I think) that was well out of specs. I had this done on my last coach as well and all I can say is that I didn't have any handling or tire-wear problems over my time with the coach (12 years).

    So...I'm a believer FWIW.

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