|
|
12-06-2016, 11:57 AM
|
#1
|
Member
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 35
|
Class A and Class C need Alignment at purchase
THOR does NOT align their motorhomes at the factory. It is up to you as a new owner to get the alinement done. The chassis are aligned when built at Ford's factory but need a new alignment after the coach is built. If you neglect to get the alinement you can experience poor handling and premature tire wear. This is just a case of THOR saving costs at your expense.
I found this out the hard way where after 15,000 miles my Michelins on front were ruined by improper alinement. I ended up having to go to a commercial Ford Truck dealer to get the alinement and new front tires mount and balanced. I called THOR and they refused to pay any of my costs because I was out of my warranty period.
__________________
Bill (PM Ret. USPS 41 yrs.)
Owner: 2015 Thor Outlaw 29h (Class C)
Towed 2013 Jeep Wrangler
|
|
|
|
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!
iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!
You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!
|
12-06-2016, 12:06 PM
|
#2
|
Senior Member
Country Coach Owners Club Solo Rvers Club iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Vancouver, WA
Posts: 37,725
|
Usually an alignment is not covered under warranty as it's considered maintenance. They (the manufacturer) have no way of knowing if you ran over a curb or did some other damage once you drove away from the dealer.
__________________
2009 45' Magna 630 w/Cummins ISX 650 HP/1950 Lbs Ft, HWH Active Air
Charter Good Sam Lifetime Member, FMCA,
RV'ing since 1957, NRA Benefactor Life, towing '21 Jeep JLU Rubicon Ecodiesel
|
|
|
12-06-2016, 03:11 PM
|
#3
|
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Northern Arizona
Posts: 1,183
|
None of the manufacturers cover an alignment even during the warranty period.
It should be made very clear at the time of purchase that it needs to be checked but that is where the ball is dropped. Dealers do not want to have that covered as part of the deal.
__________________
Harry
2015 Tuscany 40 KQ
|
|
|
12-06-2016, 06:24 PM
|
#4
|
Member
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 35
|
You're so right. If the dealer would have mentioned it, I would have got it done - before I ruined my tires.
__________________
Bill (PM Ret. USPS 41 yrs.)
Owner: 2015 Thor Outlaw 29h (Class C)
Towed 2013 Jeep Wrangler
|
|
|
12-06-2016, 06:52 PM
|
#5
|
Senior Member
Thor Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Jamestown, NC
Posts: 1,579
|
Freightliner will align their chassis within the first 7,000 miles (I think) under their warranty. Of course that won't help those with a Class C Motorhome
.
__________________
Gary and Kay & Chipper
2018 Thor Tuscany 38SQ
2019 Ford Ranger XLT Super Crew
|
|
|
12-06-2016, 08:31 PM
|
#6
|
Senior Member
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 190
|
Ford will cover alignment for 1 time with less than 12 months or 12k miles whichever is first, on a side note they also cover wiper blades, bulbs for same period.
__________________
2003 Fleetwood Tioga 26Q
Now, 2018 Grand Design Imagine 2970RL
|
|
|
12-11-2016, 12:56 AM
|
#7
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 8
|
class-a-and-class-c-need-alignment-at-purchase
How did you get Ford to cover the alignment?
|
|
|
12-11-2016, 03:00 AM
|
#8
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Huntingtown, MD
Posts: 834
|
Back in the mid 90's I purchased a new Tioga class C, the front tires were wearing out. I noticed it around the 5,000 mile mark. I returned to the dealer I purchased it from and discovered that they removed the tag on the stearing column that said the chassis was aligned at the factory before the build and a front end alignment was needed before use.
I got 2 new tires from the dealer.
Lesson learned
__________________
Earl & Sharon, 2008 Fleetwood Expedition, ISB 6.7
1995 Jeep YJ/2013 Chevy Sonic
|
|
|
12-12-2016, 07:06 AM
|
#9
|
Senior Member
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 190
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by snowskier1
How did you get Ford to cover the alignment?
|
The criteria for coverage for Ford to pay is.
1. Vehicle has to be within 12/12 of in service (purchase date). This can be determined by an individual Oasis report ( which is a Ford contact info document).
2. Tire balance, front alignment can only be claimed once.
3. Must be performed at a Ford dealer.
Now, with that said, if you do not have a dealer that can perform this service then working with Ford and/or a dealer it could be sub'Ed out to an independant. On alignment if you need new cam plugs etc... it will also be covered including labor.
|
|
|
03-17-2017, 07:50 PM
|
#10
|
Junior Member
Thor Owners Club
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 10
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Davidjeff
Ford will cover alignment for 1 time with less than 12 months or 12k miles whichever is first, on a side note they also cover wiper blades, bulbs for same period.
|
Newbie here. Today we just purchased a new '17 Four Winds 22E, by Thor. Its a smaller unit, but a 450, on a Ford Chassis. Should I inquire about this when I go for my POI this week? Thank you.
|
|
|
03-18-2017, 02:31 AM
|
#11
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Greensboro, NC
Posts: 2,769
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by MrZip
You're so right. If the dealer would have mentioned it, I would have got it done - before I ruined my tires.
|
I have not had mine alignment checked, thinking about doing it this month.
Did you notice any handling/steering issues prior to the tire wear being apparent? My coach will run down a flat, straight road with out correction from me at the steering wheel. It does not pull to one side or another. Am I kidding myself? Wouldn't be the first time.
__________________
1998 Min Winnie, 2000 Winbago Journey, 2015 ACE 29.3
2016 Thor Miramar 34.2
|
|
|
03-18-2017, 04:14 AM
|
#12
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Huntingtown, MD
Posts: 834
|
I did not notice any wandering on the road. The problem was exposed when I heard noise from the front tires so I checked them and found uneven wear.
__________________
Earl & Sharon, 2008 Fleetwood Expedition, ISB 6.7
1995 Jeep YJ/2013 Chevy Sonic
|
|
|
03-18-2017, 06:36 AM
|
#13
|
Senior Member
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 190
|
I would highly recommend an alignment during the original 12/12 warranty period. No matter if it drives fine or drifts and pulls. I would recommend putting a few thousand miles on the vehicle (unless controlling it is extremely difficult) to allow all the components to wear in and settle. Do this first: Load your vehicle as if you would when you are normally leaving out for camping. Full tank of gas, level of fresh water you intend to carry, black and gray tanks with amounts normally traveling with. Then go get your vehicle weighed and adjust tire pressures to recommended pressures for the specific weight/area. Once at alignment location advise them you have adjusted tire pressures and please do not change them. I would also recommend search on IRV2 for recommended settings on caster/camber/toe and ask if coach needs adjustment can they please adjust to these specs. Ask if there is any charges or will it be covered under warranty. Depending on the shop and technician if the readings of the alignment is in spec they may want to charge you to adjust it to the specs you are asking for. What you do will be your call. Some shops may choose to adjust and just charge warranty some may not. The specs have a wide range and adjustments in this range are allowed to stop or prevent drifts, pulls, and tire wear. Hence the reason they may charge you. Good luck
__________________
2003 Fleetwood Tioga 26Q
Now, 2018 Grand Design Imagine 2970RL
|
|
|
03-19-2017, 02:16 AM
|
#14
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Greensboro, NC
Posts: 2,769
|
Thanks gents!
Guess alignment is in store for next week.
__________________
1998 Min Winnie, 2000 Winbago Journey, 2015 ACE 29.3
2016 Thor Miramar 34.2
|
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|