New 3051 with front wheels needing alignment

[13STL]

Any new owners with really bad front end alignment problems? The bottom of the front tires are toed in and the tops are toed out. I have never seen anything like this before.

[sgtlm17]

That's how my front tires are on my Forester GTS 2801QSF. It drives great. I know the specs are different from FR than what Ford uses. My unit drives perfectly straight. Only 1000 miles on it so far. Some say wait till about 2500 miles before changing anything.

[newRVer]

Originally Posted by sgtlm17

That's how my front tires are on my Forester GTS 2801QSF. It drives great. I know the specs are different from FR than what Ford uses. My unit drives perfectly straight. Only 1000 miles on it so far. Some say wait till about 2500 miles before changing anything.

I only have about 1100 miles on my 3011 and will be waiting till about 2000-2500 myself to get an alignment which FR said they would cover. In addition to the various threads here that recommend waiting, a local truck shop that specializes in alignments also said to wait until then just to give the suspension components some time to break in. As for the toe in/out condition mentioned above. I can see how that would happen since the cabs come aligned from Ford with no weight on the back and depending on the center of gravity in the RV and how much it is loaded and the weight distribution, you might see that condition? yes?

[13STL]

Originally Posted by newRVer

I only have about 1100 miles on my 3011 and will be waiting till about 2000-2500 myself to get an alignment which FR said they would cover. In addition to the various threads here that recommend waiting, a local truck shop that specializes in alignments also said to wait until then just to give the suspension components some time to break in. As for the toe in/out condition mentioned above. I can see how that would happen since the cabs come aligned from Ford with no weight on the back and depending on the center of gravity in the RV and how much it is loaded and the weight distribution, you might see that condition? yes?

Well in our case, the toe in/out is in an empty (not loaded) 3051.

[vajeep]

We picked up a 2014 3171 a few months ago with 3600 miles. Had it aligned, toe was way out. It made a huge difference in steering manners, I don't feel like I'm chasing it all over the road anymore.

Keep in mind these chassis roll off the line from Ford with one suspension and alignment setup. FR extends the frame and turns them into a 14,000lb truck, but doesn't change the alignment or suspension components. So you and the average 15 passenger van have the same setup...

[JimOneil43]

We just picked up our new 3051S in Ohio and are on our way back to Oregon, so we'll have about 2400 miles on it when we get home. We plan to take it in for alignment as soon as we can and also install a steering stabilizer. The handling is all over the road, especially on bumpy highways and in crosswinds. After 2400 miles, I think my arm strength has increased a lot, just keeping it in the road.
Love the 3051S anyway.

[GL1800Rider]

I agree your arms get a workout on a trip. Still need to find a competent shop to get my alignment done. Ian am just under 4000 miles so it's time. Only problem is FR will only pay for it during the first 3 months and I only had about 1500 at that time.

[Rico8251]

2015 Coachmen Mirada 32 UD, just returned from Josam Frame Alignment in Orlando. They performed a front axle alignment along with adjusting caster and installing a shim. A rear Super Steer Rear Tracbar and the drive home was amazing. What a difference in the steering and sway, almost nile and know the big rigs do not blow me around like a kit. Steering is sharper and responsive and it's a joy to drive. My ride home was 2.5 hours so I had a good chance to compare from the ride down to the return, two totally different experiences. Brad at Josam did not over sell and delivered what he promise, best money spent on the RV yet. White knuckle experience no more.

[ADOR]

I did my alignment today. Currently have 3,780 miles. Its a 2015 FR 2861DS. Made a huge difference in handling. No longer pulling to the right.

How to we get reimbursed by FR for the alignment. Biught my RV brand new 3 months ago from CW.

[Azzy1016]

Is there a spec from FR for the alignment? And how do I get this info? Or do i just have it aliigned while it is loaded? Do I need to buy offset bushings before taking in for alignment or is that something alignment shops will have?
2017 3011DS

[wana65stang]

Originally Posted by 13STL

Any new owners with really bad front end alignment problems? The bottom of the front tires are toed in and the tops are toed out. I have never seen anything like this before.

Just a FYI , the condition you are describing is a camber setting, not toe in/out.

[Total Loss]

Ford's twin I beam front works great off road...not so good on the street. (IMO)
Alignment is easily changed with weight and sag (age).
It's very strong though.

[Kirk S]

Originally Posted by sgtlm17

That's how my front tires are on my Forester GTS 2801QSF. It drives great. I know the specs are different from FR than what Ford uses. My unit drives perfectly straight. Only 1000 miles on it so far. Some say wait till about 2500 miles before changing anything.

I waited until I had 2500 miles on my 3051. I spoke with Valerie Kite at Forest River and she told me they would reimburse the cost of alignment if done within 90 days of the purchase date.
I made it to the shop with only a week to spare.
Additional requirements included scanning a copy of the before and after alignment printout and scanning a copy of the receipt ( photos not accepted).
I emailed both and received my check about a month later.
We just returned from an enjoyable 1300 mile trip and my rig steers so much better than it did before the alignment.

[Azzy1016]

Originally Posted by Netgain

I waited until I had 2500 miles on my 3051. I spoke with Valerie Kite at Forest River and she told me they would reimburse the cost of alignment if done within 90 days of the purchase date.
I made it to the shop with only a week to spare.
Additional requirements included scanning a copy of the before and after alignment printout and scanning a copy of the receipt ( photos not accepted).
I emailed both and received my check about a month later.
We just returned from an enjoyable 1300 mile trip and my rig steers so much better than it did before the alignment.

What were the specs you aligned to or who do I contact to receive the FR specs?

[Steeljag]

We picked our 3011DS out of state and it handled well on our 1400 mi trip home! I will have the alignment checked prior to the 90 day mark since it is refundable.

Are the specs the same for 3011 and 3051 ?

[Kirk S]

Originally Posted by Steeljag

We picked our 3011DS out of state and it handled well on our 1400 mi trip home! I will have the alignment checked prior to the 90 day mark since it is refundable.

Are the specs the same for 3011 and 3051 ?

If the 3011DS is on a Ford E450 chassis it should be the same.

[Kirk S]

Originally Posted by Azzy1016

What were the specs you aligned to or who do I contact to receive the FR specs?

The FR specs are on a different thread but I took a screen shot and gave a printed copy to the mechanic.
One photo is FR specs, the other photo is my before and after. Not exact but the mechanic said each vehicle is a little different so the FR specs are more like a guide. The specs supposedly came from a fleet truck manager somewhere and were adopted by FR because they worked.
If I'm wrong about that someone will surely correct me, lol.

[Kirk S]

Sorry, I tapped on the wrong photo. Here is the one I gave my mechanic.