Can anyone recommend a good alignment shop between Dallas and Flagstaff on US 40. We also need to get our RV weighed where we can get each side weighed separately. Best option is all four corners weighed independently.
If you are still in Nac. for the driving school and the other upgrades you were talking about here is who we use (& recommend) Big Truck Alignment in Lufkin. Top notch place that does things the old school way. Just a family owned place I don't think they even have a web page only word of mouth. They are familiar with how to set up a Foretravel. I know it isn't in your route you have posted but they are worth the trip from Nac.
Pamela & Mike
Just saw you other post after we posted here.
Pamela & Mike
Had my Foretravel alignment yesterday. Big Truck Alignment in Huntington which is on hwy 69 about 8 miles south of Lufkin. Did a great job. Glen Haskins is the owner and the # is 936-465-0701.
Wayne had recommended Big Truck Alignment in Lufkin, but they could not take us until next week - reason I am looking for someplace on US 40.
Actually Haskins had already become the place to go.....maybe beg your way in Monday?
When we were there almost 4 years ago, Glen was working with his father who I believe founded the business. Since Glen is the owner now, I assume that means his father is out of the picture... We had a good experience there. Below is a picture of Glen on looking on as his dad trues one of the front tires.
Don
His brother Bradley is co-owner now. They also do brakes, wheel bearing, and most anything under the coach.
I give up. We'll hang around a couple more days and see if BTA in Lufkin can set us up for the job. We'll do Monument Valley another time. I'm also curious to see if Wayne was correct in his assessment of 4 degrees.
I was not all that happy with Big Truck's old style 'equipment' that requires manual interpretation, consistent skills and more time for everything. (wheel balancing, toe-in, etc). Dad is out of the picture and two sons, each with different experiences, have taken over and do it all.
I fear dad st Huntington may have passed, has had illness long time. But was go to place fir big trucks and many coaches last ten years
The solid axle coaches are low tech and thus low tech methods are fine. There is not much to check ,loose parts, toe in, ride height, steering wheel straight. . Toe plates or sight tubes are common tools as are the the older Visual liner light /mirror systems . I use toe plates and /or two laser squares. Checking camber and castor will show bent axle .
It's not rocket science. If the driver complains of wander ,and you cant find anything loose /worn, add a little toe. If the driver hates driving the unit, he is unlikely to wear out the tires.
Lots of places dont balance. Beads only . They seem to work fine.
We drove the Jeep to Lufkin today and could not find Big Truck Alignment in Lufkin. It is a few miles to the east in Huntington for those looking in the future. We will try to get an appointment tomorrow or Tuesday at latest. The weighing will be at the Conoco CAT scale in NAC tomorrow. They have room to do each side separately and the total cost is $15. It will be good to get back on the road Wednesday.
We tried a number of eateries here and can recommend two: Jalapeno Tree for Mexican food and Dollies Diner in the old town area. Breakfast is pretty much the same everywhere, but they have a pretty good weekday breakfast deal. We were not able to buy real butter at Kinfolks or non dairy creamer. How do you eat grits without butter????
Quick note about Jalapeno Tree - get there early or you will be in a line.
Places in Nac, etc. Updated 2017 for Hotel Fredonia being reopened, added Baymont Seafood....both excellent. And removed Union Cafe. I have not added the Banita Creek trail as I have not walked it yet but I expect it as good as Lanana Creek.
http://www.foreforums.com/MGalleryItem.php?id=3841
A final note on the alignment: We found Big Truck Alignment on S 69 Hwy in Huntington, past the Dairy Queen on the left (don't bother looking for street numbers). They did not need to make any changes to the alignment, but found some looseness in the left bearing. The wheel was removed and the outer bearing was checked for wear and shavings. There weren't any issue - it just needed to be tightened. Everything was done for less than $200.
We had dinner at Auntie Pastas. I would not recommend the Chicken Marsala, but Kristi's Lasagna was excellent.
so how does it drive, any difference that you note?
Tim Fiedler
Sure Start Soft Start (http://www.gen-pro.biz)
TCER Direct (http://www.tcerdirect.com) generator-gas-prod (http://www.generatorgasproducts.com) 630 240-9139
Gen-Pro
They didn't change anything, so it continues to track fine. Potential bearing problem was averted, so it was worthwhile. We weighed the coach today and adjusted the front tires down 5 psi to 95.
Ok being a noob or in training I have to ask why the weighting on the corners or sides?
You need to get the weights to set tire pressure appropriately. Straight axle weights on a typical truck scale will get you in the ballpark but they may be somewhat misleading. A slide-out, all galley and big appliances (fridge, combo washer/dryer), unbalanced loading of basement storage on one side can bias the simple axle weight to that side. Tire pressures need to be set to that maximum weight for both ends of that axle.
Foretravels used to be built within 300 pounds left to right tolerances.
Cross tankages help. Fuel is maybe more passenger side. Grey and black are a bit more drivers side.
House batteries in ours are drivers side. Engine batteries passenger side.
Has to balance
My front weight should b around 9000#. . H rated 295/75 tires. The tire charts call for 85# or less. Can thatbe right? Actual chart say less then 85.. Runs a lot nicer @ 90 than it did @96
What do some of the early ORED weigh?
Mike,
Our 88 ORED is max at 26,500 lbs as per the data tag by the drivers seat, I have never exceeded 24,000 lbs and that is with full fresh water and fuel tanks. I usually check my weight when I can use the FREE roadside scales in Oregon. yes I'm cheap.
What is the front value? Thanks.
Mike,
Had to go to the barn to get/verify the info'........so Total 26,500 lbs Frt. 9,000 lbs Rr. 17,500 lbs also the tag shows
95 lbs for the tires as equipped at FT.
Mick
Mick,
Assume those are GAWR, not actual weights.
Brett,
I'm not sure what you mean ? the #s are max weight capability .......9k + 17.5k = 26.5k as per the manu. spec. ?
When I have weighed the coach it was usually in 7,800lbs on the front and 15,400lbs on the rear as I said earlier I've never hit 24,000lbs.
Mick
Mick,
Yes, the GVWR sticker shows GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Ratings). Your actual weights are, properly, under the capacities.
Strange thing about the weights on the cockpit tags, when I look more closely the MAX is 25,880lbs and I'm still on the south side of that.
Pity the tag with the pertinent info' (MAX) is the one that's hard to see let alone read ! IMHO.
Thanks. Yes we have the same weight tags. 9/17 Oshkosh.
I have not weighed mine yet. The tire charts for my tires show per axle ; is
8500# needs about 75PSI.
10,000#+- @ abut 80 PSI.
11,000# @ 87PSI .
12,000#@ 90 +-
The Michelin is similar @
according to the charts for a 295/75./ 22 - LR H.
I started mine @ 94 and it was a little harsh . Now @ about 85 and much better. I have trouble going to less pressure as it drives well .
Can we all be that much over inflated or are the later coaches that much more nose weight?
Mike the unihomes weighed a lot more on the front. Unicoaches added another 2k of front axle weight near as I can figure with the bus front end and front door.
I could flex OREDS. Unihomes flexed a lot. Unicoaches are much more rigid. Hard to make the windshield move in the molding
Tire pressure is not just about ride comfort. The key to setting tire pressure is achieving proper tire contact patch for max braking. This requires knowing actual weights at each tire position.
.....so guys, a quick question: my steering wheel is off center, when driving straight, the whole thing is cocked an inch or two to the left, this bugs me no end & is relatively new, is this an alignment issue? It seems to straighten out after it's parked but while driving if I try to straighten it out so it sits straight up/down, it veers off to one side (right side I guess) of the road, headed for the curb, I don't think I'm OCD but this really makes me crazy. >:D
Miz D,
The simple thing to do is adjust the length of the drag link. This will move the steering wheel back to center. There was a thread a few weeks ago where another member had the same problem. I will post a link when I find it.
Pamela & Mike
Edit: Here you go read through this and see if it helps. 97 U320 Steering Wheel (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=32565.msg292051#msg292051)
Hey guys, thanks so much for this, next time I'm having service done is at FOT in February so will have them do this....me climbing under the coach is not an option... :)
Mix Dani. Short trip?? >:D
....taking the old girl in to get full body paint + a few other little items that have cropped up since I spent 2 weeks there recently...(most of the 2 weeks waiting on a part)....she's getting younger all the time....