Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: What chassis is it they asked? (Read 1140 times) previous topic - next topic

What chassis is it they asked?

 Went in to get an alignment and the service writer asked what chassis is it?
Foretravel I said, actually there is no real chassis it's a monocque construction .
No what chassis, what's it built on he continued, dodge, freightliner, spartan ford ?
Again I said Foretravel, it's standard heavy duty truck  Meritor parts.
With that they rolled their eyes, went silent, did the alignment.
When I went to pay the service foreman informed me with years of knowledge that my RV was built on a Chevy Chassis!
Boy was I glad this guy was there to enlighten me!
Ignorance is bliss 🥴!
David & Emma Roche
Dino (Golden Doodle)
1999 U270 WTFE 36' Build # 5534
Xtreme "Lights, Stripes & Roof"
Motorcade# 18321
Dayton, Ohio
Towd: Jeep Grand Cherokee
Two Townie Electra Bikes

Life is made to enjoy, the Foretravel helps!

Re: What chassis is it they asked?

Reply #1 –
I wonder if you now have Chevy parts on your Foretravel.

 I've been down this road several times. In the beginning I was dumb enough to try and educate them but no longer.  .....  just depressing how they look at you like an idiot RV owner so,,,,, now I have a part # or don't bother. 
Robert and Susan
 1995 36' 280 WTBI 8.3 3060r
 1200 watts on the roof, 720 Ah of lithium's
 Build # 4637. Motorcade # 17599
        FMCA  # 451505
        18  Wrangler JLUR

Re: What chassis is it they asked?

Reply #2 –
My headlight switch is from a chevy, does that count?
1991 U300 Side Aisle 6V92 Silver #3897
2004 U320 40' #6246

Re: What chassis is it they asked?

Reply #3 –
The bee doesn't bother explaining to the fly why honey tastes better than shit
1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

Not all that wander are lost... but I often am.

Re: What chassis is it they asked?

Reply #4 –
Quote from: kgrover –
My headlight switch is from a chevy, does that count?

I think the ignition key might be GM...
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: What chassis is it they asked?

Reply #5 –
My sainted grandmother used to say that you can't put it where it was never meant to be.
Or shut your arse and give your mouth a chance.
88 Grand Villa 36' ORED 3208 (throwaway)Cat.
 Build # 3150
Happiness is the maximum agreement of reality and desire.

Re: What chassis is it they asked?

Reply #6 –
Quote from: "Irish" –
Went in to get an alignment and the service writer asked what chassis is it?
Foretravel I said, actually there is no real chassis it's a monocque construction .
No what chassis, what's it built on he continued, dodge, freightliner, spartan ford ?
Again I said Foretravel, it's standard heavy duty truck  Meritor parts.
With that they rolled their eyes, went silent, did the alignment.
When I went to pay the service foreman informed me with years of knowledge that my RV was built on a Chevy Chassis!
Boy was I glad this guy was there to enlighten me!
Ignorance is bliss 🥴!

I would be headed to the door after that conversation!
The alignment specs for my coach are written under the instrument luster on the dash.
I would call Foretravel and see if they have a more current set of specs if I were going in for an alignment..
If they finished the alignment and then told me I have a Chevy, I would demand to see the specs they set it to before I ever moved the RV.
1995 U320C SE 40'
Jeep 4x4 Commander - Limited - Hemi
"The Pack"  Yogi and Diesel our Airedales -  Charlie our Boxer/Akita mix. Gone but NEVER forgotten Jake our yellow Lab.
NRA Law Enforcement Firearms instructor - Handgun/shotgun
Regional Firearms instructor for national Armored Transp. Co.

Re: What chassis is it they asked?

Reply #7 –
Luckily I had given them the specs (the ones from under the dash cover, glad I did!
Good news is that the toe measurement was way off causing the coach to wander making driving exhausting.
Looking forward to getting it back on Monday, having some work done on it next door to the alignment shop.
Here is hoping that the drive will be super improved after tie rod end replacements, steering box replacement, new tires, and now the alignment. The last place that did it ignored my specs!! So about $5 coach bucks and two years later let's hope the joy is back!
David & Emma Roche
Dino (Golden Doodle)
1999 U270 WTFE 36' Build # 5534
Xtreme "Lights, Stripes & Roof"
Motorcade# 18321
Dayton, Ohio
Towd: Jeep Grand Cherokee
Two Townie Electra Bikes

Life is made to enjoy, the Foretravel helps!

Re: What chassis is it they asked?

Reply #8 –
 Its a fair question.  It has some manufactured type of front axle and alignment data . Knowing that would help, and what the spec is called for.
  Simply specing the alignment is the easiest . That way , if it drives like poo, its on you. 
 Simple to set the only real adjustment. front toe.  Set the pressures at the upper end of your parameters.
      Start at 1/4 in , measured at the  tire.    large toe plates , sticks etc with room for the tire bulge along the contact point is all thats needed.    If it still  wanders, recheck pressures and try another 10#.  Still no love, add more toe in . Should be under 1/2 in max .  Even that will wear the outer edge a bit . 
 There may also be too much pressure  and too little  tire contact patch .  Drop the pressures to the other end of the range and retry .
    You should also know  before hand if the rims are straight and the tire has no  side wall bulges.   
 
 If it still wobbles down the road, start looking for rusty spring mount bushings and the surrounding area . That may indicate  a loose , moving bushing point and be impossible to drive straight .  Of course, this implies that you have checked all of the moving front end parts . 

 Same on the rear axle .  For the most part , you can sight down the rear tire to the nose to verify that the axle is mostly straight . It will not be perfect.  But too much offset will be hard to get the front to drive well.

 Dropping the ride height to the lowest , in range setting, will always help also. 

Re: What chassis is it they asked?

Reply #9 –
My rear axle was out of alignment a significant amount. A good friend was following me and let me know. I had Keith Riesh align it for me. He told me there were a number of new coaches that made it out of the factory out of alignment. If you have persistent handling problems it is worth a look. My coach drove terrible when I bought it. I have done all the thing mentioned here. New steering gear and rear axle alignment was the last thing. I am happy with the way it drives now. It has been a journey.
Tom
Tom and Michelle 2004 U270 36WTFS

Re: What chassis is it they asked?

Reply #10 –
When I got to Keith Rich last year he knew by looking at the coach it drove terrible. The ride height in the rear was 2.5" higher than specs. Drives like a dream now. Jim.
Jim and Dona
2002 U295 36'
Lily, blue healer. Our fury person
Manx mid travel Ecotec turbo
2022 Bronco badlands Sasquatch
Trail 90 and 110cc