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Old 03-14-2019, 07:24 PM   #1
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Virginia
Posts: 2
THOR #10365
Front end alignment

First time owners of a class C, 2017 Quantum GR-22.
Drove 30,000 miles. Front tires wearing unevenly.
Tire shop that did front end alignment told us that anyone who buys a new RV should immediately have alignment done. Chassis manuf does it before box with all RV parts installed which throws off weight distribution.
Tire shop services all local EMT vehicles, many on Ford E450 chassis . They get front end alignment before putting ambulances into service.
Extend the life of your tires with this tip !

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Old 03-14-2019, 08:01 PM   #2
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Model: ACE 27.1
State: Florida
Posts: 14,119
THOR #7035
That's a good tip: it's been discussed many times on this forum. Sorry it took you 30,000 miles and worn steer tires to come across it.
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Old 03-14-2019, 11:30 PM   #3
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2023 Jayco Precept 31UL
State: Florida
Posts: 2,914
THOR #1589
Welcome to the forum!

You have discovered one of the "dirty little secrets" that many new RV owners have to learn the hard way. Poor alignment can cause steering difficulties as well as abnormal tire wear.

There are always new folks on the forum, thanks for the tip.
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Old 03-16-2019, 07:39 PM   #4
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Brand: Still Looking
State: Alberta
Posts: 59
THOR #2791
E450 Wandering caused by too little +Caster

Here is the way I see the topic of E450 alignments:

Ford ships all E350/E450 cut aways with identical fixed, non adjustable
caster/camber sleeves, "one size fits all".

The RV builder almost never changes the Ford sleeves, as a result:

If the final RV build is nose down one degree then the runtime caster will be about +3.5 degrees. These units can have a real wandering problem.

If the final RV build is nose level then the runtime caster will be about +4.5 degrees. These units are probably indifferent.

If the final RV build is nose up one degree then the runtime caster will be about +5.5 degrees. These units are probably just fine, possibly excepting the 31 footers.

So, some RVs have a problem and some do not have a problem. JMO.

POPULAR MECHANICS MAY 1973:
START QUOTE:
If too little caster exists, the car will wander and weave,
thus necessitating constant corrections in steering.
END QUOTE:


PS: Caster is very important BUT NOT a tire wear parameter.
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Old 03-17-2019, 12:40 PM   #5
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 37LS outlaw
State: New Jersey
Posts: 516
THOR #5248
Totally agree with what Harvard said.

I have a 31 footer and had it aligned as soon as I drove it home !

Only note here is tell the alignment shop to put as much +caster as possible and still stay in specs. (Preferably +5degrees, )

Positive caster I s like the front wheels on a shopping cart. It makes the steering a little harder, but with power steering it doesn't matter. We are not road rallying our rigs. We are traveling in a straight line most of the time.
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