front end allignment question

[noxinnhoj]

I have a 1995 Silverado dually with a lance t.c. that is rarely taken off the truck.I am getting new tires installed and I was wondering if an alignment should be done with the camper on the truck or taken off?

[Bubtoofat]

My alignment shop said to bring it in with the camper on since the truck rarely moves without the camper loaded. If the camper was loaded only occasionally then I would get the alignment without the camper.

Mike

[KKELLER14K]

2 cents worth. Was that a straight axle or independent? 4x4?... Do you know how to string line a front end?...Youtube it. Super easy and costs next to nothing. I personally would go with what the old tires tell you by the wear. If they wore evenly I wouldn't touch it but if it is unusual then you got to do something. Obviously if your last set lasted 10 years something must be right.

[HMS_Beagle]

It does, or does not, make a difference depending on the truck. In the 1995 Chevy the OP owns, it makes a difference. On a Ford it would not (much). They have different suspension designs, and different than heavy trucks which are nearly all beam axles.

[time2roll]

Did the tires wear well as in flat across the tread? If so I would skip the alignment.

[free_radical]

Makes no difference according to an old trucker I spoke with,,
If it did youd have to check alignment every time you load and unload the truck!!

[noxinnhoj]

thanks for all the replies,my tires are just old,nokians,over 10 years,sounds like an alignment with the camper on might be the way to go,thanks

[ticki2]

It sure would be nice to know if the manufactures specs were determined for the truck loaded or unloaded , or somewhere in between.. Without knowing that first it's just a guess . I have searched several times for that info to no avail . Anyone know ?

[Yeti_plus]

Before we left for Alaska my regular mechanic said to load the camper ready for the trip and get the alignment done. I can't fit into his shop with the camper loaded so he wasn't saying this just to move money from my pocket to his.
Took the loaded rig to a shop that does alignments on larger vehicles and he said the same thing. So the alignment was done fully loaded.
Only putting limited miles on truck for the winter, but I'll be all set to load up once all the white stuff melts away.

[Tamnative]

Itchey Feet wrote:
I talked with the alignment shop that was going to do the work and they requested it come with the camper on the truck. After new tires and alignment we left for a 3 month trip to Alaska, had tires rotated when we got back and all tires looked the same, Suggest you talk with shop first. JMHO

That is what I was told also. Be aware that the camper hold downs may have to be removed as front ones may get in the way of the.

[towpro]

Harvard wrote:
For every 1 degree of change for and aft there is a corresponding 1 degree change in caster. Raise the rear by 1 degree reduces the caster by 1 degree.

Yes but caster don't wear tires. Camber and toe do

[Itchey_Feet]

I talked with the alignment shop that was going to do the work and they requested it come with the camper on the truck. After new tires and alignment we left for a 3 month trip to Alaska, had tires rotated when we got back and all tires looked the same, Suggest you talk with shop first. JMHO

[Harvard]

For every 1 degree of change for and aft there is a corresponding 1 degree change in caster. Raise the rear by 1 degree reduces the caster by 1 degree.

[K_Charles]

At work we always had the alignment done with the normal load on the truck. have the truck lined up, install a utility body, load it with tools then have it lined up again. The alignment will change. If the camper is on more then off try to have them do it with it on.

[towpro]

I think the load changes alignment since it lowers the back end. But have no way to prove it. My dealer could not get my truck into door where alignment rack was even with my Wolf Creek loaded. the arctic fox is even hither I think.

Were old tires worn from out of alignment?
Usually alignment problems and tire wear are caused by loose parts.
and most worn tires I see are caused by lack of rotation.