Community Forums

cobia6620 · 08-09-2021, 09:24 AM

I have a 2011 Tioga Ranger 31M on a 2010 E450 chassis and want to have have someone install the adjustable bushings and increase caster to the magic 5.5 degrees.
local certified RV shop sent me to a few shops but after I visited with them they could not handle a 219 in wheel base rv with dually rear tires or they had the deer in the headlight look even though they can do the work
I need someone who has done it before
called closest Fleetwood dealer and they have local shop but its 100+ miles away and I would have to leave the rv with them for a week due to busy schedule.
any advice for someone close to Houma Louisiana 70363?

youracman · 08-09-2021, 10:18 AM

In the Denver, CO area, the only shop I could find that would install the adjustable bushings was the Rush Ford Medium Duty Truck Center. They agreed to install the non-Ford truck parts I brought them (big surprise to me) and IIRC it was about $275 out the door. I ended up with 5 deg positive castor.....and the rig drove better, BTW. I have read posts in the past where others in different cities have found their Med Dty Ford Truck Dealers are the place to go with an E450. Usually kinda pricey, but good.

Google couldn't find this type truck dealer in LA for me, but being there, you might have better luck.

Just my 'sperience. Good luck on the hunt.....and safe travels to ya.

Ron Dittmer · 08-09-2021, 04:33 PM

In our town (Dundee, IL) is a Cassidy Tire shop that does wheel alignments primarily for 18 wheelers. Check your area for such a shop. The alignment is done with wireless clamp-on alignment sensors that communicate with a computer on a stand. There is no rack or other apparatus that is size-restrictive. They charged me $150.

Here is our rig being aligned. There is no limitation with the size of the rig.

Here is one side offset bushings that were installed 14 years ago.

Here are the alignment specs for our 2007 E350 chassis.

This is the best they could do without making a science project out of it and charge me 2x to 3x the cost with no guarantee it would be perfect.

HINT: If you have a Safe-T-Plus or other aftermarket steering stabilizer installed, make sure they loosen it's clamp to the steering linkage before they start the alignment.

Flyingsquirl · 08-23-2021, 12:38 PM

The best advice I received for wheel alignments is to look for a shop that specializes in med to heavy duty commercial trucks, school buses, dump trucks, etc. They have the expertise and equipment to do alignments.

dianizon · 08-25-2021, 01:19 PM

We take ours in OH to a dealer in our area that works on Semi trucks and trailers. They align them also.
Diane V

ericmac450 · 09-15-2021, 12:48 PM

I've had this same issue in the Memphis, TN area...I've only found 2 places that do it and both were always like "well, we can try to fit you in when we don't have so many 18 wheelers, call us back on X date..." always call back to the same non-sense...I've yet to find a dealer that can "work me in"

Weeds636 · 09-15-2021, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flyingsquirl

The best advice I received for wheel alignments is to look for a shop that specializes in med to heavy duty commercial trucks, school buses, dump trucks, etc. They have the expertise and equipment to do alignments.

Totally agree. My shop aligned and added 1 degree shims, $139.