Need alignment recommendation

Topic: Need alignment recommendation (Read 1149 times) previous topic - next topic

Need alignment recommendation

October 27, 2017, 12:30:34 pm

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.

Re: Need alignment recommendation

Reply #1 – October 27, 2017, 12:55:02 pm

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

Re: Need alignment recommendation

Reply #2 – October 27, 2017, 01:00:02 pm

Just saw you other post after we posted here.

Pamela & Mike

Re: Need alignment recommendation

Reply #3 – October 27, 2017, 03:53:02 pm

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.

Re: Need alignment recommendation

Reply #4 – October 27, 2017, 09:21:36 pm

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.

Re: Need alignment recommendation

Reply #5 – October 27, 2017, 09:26:51 pm

Actually Haskins had already become the place to go.....maybe beg your way in Monday?

Re: Need alignment recommendation

Reply #6 – October 27, 2017, 10:09:03 pm

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

Quote from: qcj – October 27, 2017, 03:53:02 pm

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.

Re: Need alignment recommendation

Reply #7 – October 28, 2017, 08:27:24 am

Quote from: Don & Tys (AKA acousticart) – October 27, 2017, 10:09:03 pm

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.

Re: Need alignment recommendation

Reply #8 – October 28, 2017, 10:59:07 am

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.

Re: Need alignment recommendation

Reply #9 – October 28, 2017, 09:24:02 pm

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.

Re: Need alignment recommendation

Reply #10 – October 28, 2017, 09:53:20 pm

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

Re: Need alignment recommendation

Reply #11 – October 28, 2017, 09:54:11 pm

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.

Re: Need alignment recommendation

Reply #12 – October 29, 2017, 09:47:18 pm

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.

Re: Need alignment recommendation

Reply #13 – October 30, 2017, 10:47:41 am

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

Re: Need alignment recommendation

Reply #14 – October 31, 2017, 07:06:40 am

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.

Re: Need alignment recommendation

Reply #15 – October 31, 2017, 11:13:01 am

so how does it drive, any difference that you note?

Tim Fiedler

Sure Start Soft Start

TCER Direct generator-gas-prod 630 240-9139
Gen-Pro

Re: Need alignment recommendation

Reply #16 – October 31, 2017, 06:50:06 pm

Quote from: Tim Fiedler – October 31, 2017, 11:13:01 am

so how does it drive, any difference that you note?

Tim Fiedler

Sure Start Soft Start

TCER Direct generator-gas-prod 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.

Re: Need alignment recommendation

Reply #17 – November 02, 2017, 10:10:49 pm

Ok being a noob or in training I have to ask why the weighting on the corners or sides?

Re: Need alignment recommendation

Reply #18 – November 02, 2017, 10:26:51 pm

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.

Re: Need alignment recommendation

Reply #19 – November 02, 2017, 10:40:54 pm

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

Re: Need alignment recommendation

Reply #20 – November 03, 2017, 12:48:04 pm

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?

Re: Need alignment recommendation

Reply #21 – November 03, 2017, 02:14:20 pm

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.

Re: Need alignment recommendation

Reply #22 – November 03, 2017, 03:25:03 pm

What is the front value? Thanks.

Re: Need alignment recommendation

Reply #23 – November 03, 2017, 03:49:24 pm

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

Re: Need alignment recommendation

Reply #24 – November 03, 2017, 03:54:00 pm

Mick,
Assume those are GAWR, not actual weights.

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