Community Forums

gmc70 · 06-14-2021, 03:40 PM

I want to have our new to us Precept 31 alignment checked as it drives like a lumber truck. Being in a very small town we do not have a place here that can do it so I started calling around. One place said about $100 and called another chain and guys says usually about $400 or so. What have others here paid?
I like the $100 price but don't want to spend $100 and not get it done right but 400 seems a little high.

wolfe10 · 06-14-2021, 03:51 PM

If you want advice on front end alignment, you need to tell us WHAT CHASSIS YOU HAVE.

**Lt Dan** · 06-14-2021, 03:57 PM

Just for a comparison, a full alignment on our Allegro RED Freightliner chassis was $175 in Fort Worth, TX.

YC1 · 06-14-2021, 03:59 PM

Just paid close to $500 for a 42 ft HR DP. It needed shims between the axels and was done in a highly recognized shop.

NXR · 06-14-2021, 05:11 PM

The Precept is a gasser so it's a Ford F-53 chassis.

Two years ago I had a front end alignment done at the Ford Commercial Vehicle dealership that all local dealers use for motorhomes. It cost $135 and their tech even readjusted the Safe-T-Plus as part of the test drive.

Go here, put your zip code in, select your area and hit enter: https://fordcommercialvehiclecenter.com/

Click Advanced Filters + at the top center.

Check MOTORHOME - CLASS A at the top right and click Apply.

Pick a dealer and click on More Information. Near the bottom you'll see how large their service bays are.

Remember, if the alignment shop does not have a lot of motorhome experience, they will set the alignment within the Ford spec and that may not give you good drivability. Also remember that not much is easily adjustable on the F-53. The toe is but adjusting the caster requires that shims be added. Adjusting the camber requires heating and bending the solid axle so no one does that anymore.

Good luck,

Ray

Hurricane-TX · 06-14-2021, 06:31 PM

I paid $250.00 a couple of years ago at a local Ford dealership.

ArtJoyce · 06-14-2021, 06:31 PM

It's around 225 for a frightliner to have its alignment adjusted here. Now if they need to make any bends to the axle or shims it, that's extra charges. This is a frame, spring and axle shop.

ArtJoyce · 06-14-2021, 06:35 PM

An aligment in most cases is not going to make a truck not ride like a truck. The truck ride is all in the design of suspension.

sbleiweiss · 06-15-2021, 08:17 AM

$140 in San Jose on an F-53 chassis.

gmc70 · 06-15-2021, 03:59 PM

I should have stated F53 chassis, sorry. I stated drives like a lumber truck I knew what the MH would ride like but our Damon and Winnie both drove much better than this MH. I have to constantly be on the wheel. I will be doing CHF and Safe T Plus tomorrow and see what that does. I want to add rear track bar but all sites I have looked at are out of stock.

Bigd9 · 06-15-2021, 04:06 PM

Over inflated tires will give you a "lumber truck" ride and squirrelly handling. Make sure the tires are inflated to the correct tire size, manufacturer and actual weights on each axle/wheel.

gmc70 · 06-15-2021, 04:26 PM

Checked the pressure and right on both with digital pressure gauge and TPMS.

B52Rnav · 06-15-2021, 05:00 PM

Alignment for Ford F53 chassis at independent truck tire shop in metro Houston - $250.

VentanaOdyssey · 06-15-2021, 06:44 PM

Just had our new 2021 F-53 aligned at the suspension shop we had install all the chassis upgrades and the alignment was $250.00 in Boise ID.

The owner told me that most new RV's are out of alignment.