Alignment Check - Worth $200?

[joebelknap]

I have a 2016 Georgetown GT3 31B3 (F-53). I added a Saf-T-Steer stabilizer, trac bar in the rear, and CHF in the front after my first white knuckle trip down I-95. Body sway and "push" from passing trucks greatly reduced after upgrades. It steers fine (no pull). Everything I read (here) says that checking the alignment is probably the first thing that should have been done. There is a truck alignment/suspension shop in my area that works on RV's. His charge is $200 to do the alignment, grease all the fittings and inspect the suspension. Heading to Disney World Fort Wilderness (yay!) next month with the daughter and grandkids. Football season will be here shortly and my daughter takes the rig to Clemson (home of the 2018 NCAA Football Champions!!).
I'm thinking $200 is a fair price to pay for this check. Not to mention peace of mind. What do y'all think?

[bubbles]

Don't understand post's like this. If you think it's a fair price why solicit others thoughts. Does it really matter in the scheme of things?

[MR.M]

Originally Posted by joebelknap

I have a 2016 Georgetown GT3 31B3 (F-53). I added a Saf-T-Steer stabilizer, trac bar in the rear, and CHF in the front after my first white knuckle trip down I-95. Body sway and "push" from passing trucks greatly reduced after upgrades. It steers fine (no pull). Everything I read (here) says that checking the alignment is probably the first thing that should have been done. There is a truck alignment/suspension shop in my area that works on RV's. His charge is $200 to do the alignment, grease all the fittings and inspect the suspension. Heading to Disney World Fort Wilderness (yay!) next month with the daughter and grandkids. Football season will be here shortly and my daughter takes the rig to Clemson (home of the 2018 NCAA Football Champions!!).
I'm thinking $200 is a fair price to pay for this check. Not to mention peace of mind. What do y'all think?

do you have alignment issues ? unusual tire wear , wandering on the road , pulling to one side or another ? if so then yes but if not that's a lot to pay for a lube job . but if it gives you piece of mind and it's never been done it won't hurt .

[waybeck2018]

Originally Posted by bubbles

Don't understand post's like this. If you think it's a fair price why solicit others thoughts. Does it really matter in the scheme of things?

Well bubbles, I guess it would mater in the scheme of things to the writer. He made a simple request for other opinions. I applaud him.

[IsleDog]

I have had vehicles in asking for an alignment and found they only needed to do the front, not the rear. i was only charged for the front. some will charge differently if they find the alignment to be in spec and lube it all. you may not pay the full 200. i certainly would not pay that for them to check and lube. it sounds like the quoted 200 is for them to complete the alignment.

[Go West]

Originally Posted by waybeck2018

Well bubbles, I guess it would mater in the scheme of things to the writer. He made a simple request for other opinions. I applaud him.

Plus, some of us learn from threads like this. I do.

[Chuckie]

If it is a reputable truck alignment and repair specialist near a metro area (not a small mom and pop generalist) then expect to pay at least $200. That was my experience.

The mechanic took the time to explain to me that the caster angle is key to stable handling (versus twitchy handling). It should be over 5 degrees for the F53. My caster angle was OK but toe angle was way off and it would have prematurely worn the tires. I would never have known about the toe angle if not for the alignment.

The $200+ was worth it for me just in peace of mind and education, but that's for you to decide.

[Larry-NC]

Originally Posted by joebelknap

I have a 2016 Georgetown GT3 31B3 (F-53). I added a Saf-T-Steer stabilizer, trac bar in the rear, and CHF in the front after my first white knuckle trip down I-95. Body sway and "push" from passing trucks greatly reduced after upgrades. It steers fine (no pull). Everything I read (here) says that checking the alignment is probably the first thing that should have been done. There is a truck alignment/suspension shop in my area that works on RV's. His charge is $200 to do the alignment, grease all the fittings and inspect the suspension. Heading to Disney World Fort Wilderness (yay!) next month with the daughter and grandkids. Football season will be here shortly and my daughter takes the rig to Clemson (home of the 2018 NCAA Football Champions!!).
I'm thinking $200 is a fair price to pay for this check. Not to mention peace of mind. What do y'all think?

Two reasons to do it:

1. It could have been misaligned as the accessories were installed. Why risk premature wearout on a bunch of expensive tires?
2. My guy, here in Raleigh, NC charges nothing if the alignment is already in spec. If that's the case, you're only paying if you need to.

Larry

[Super Flag]

Originally Posted by joebelknap

I have a 2016 Georgetown GT3 31B3 (F-53). I added a Saf-T-Steer stabilizer, trac bar in the rear, and CHF in the front after my first white knuckle trip down I-95. Body sway and "push" from passing trucks greatly reduced after upgrades. It steers fine (no pull). Everything I read (here) says that checking the alignment is probably the first thing that should have been done. There is a truck alignment/suspension shop in my area that works on RV's. His charge is $200 to do the alignment, grease all the fittings and inspect the suspension. Heading to Disney World Fort Wilderness (yay!) next month with the daughter and grandkids. Football season will be here shortly and my daughter takes the rig to Clemson (home of the 2018 NCAA Football Champions!!).
I'm thinking $200 is a fair price to pay for this check. Not to mention peace of mind. What do y'all think?

Based on my experience, I would spend the $200 for a wheel alignment. I paid $90 per axle alignment after ruining a set of 4 GY G614 tire due to poor factory alignment. Once on the road for a long trip with misalignment, the damage is done prior to returning home where you can get the alignment done by a good truck alignment shop. I try to avoid any on-the-road repairs.

[jtesta1]

That 200 dollars will go a long way to get a service truck to come and change your shredded steer tires.

[ProfChuck]

Since you bought this used and already had problems with it driving until you installed the upgrades, I would make sure the shop putting in the upgrades didn't do an alignment already, but, if they hadn't, since you really don't know how the last people drove the vehicle, I think it would be worth it. If you drive carefully, you probably won't need another one unless you hit a big pothole, curb, etc. or change something on your vehicle that affects the steering. If it were mine, I would go for it.

[rlh1957]

Shop around, see what the going rate is "in your area" and not from members of this forum from all over the country. $200 whether high or low is the least of your concerns when 500 miles of being out of alignment towing can ruin two good tires, and truck tires are either $200 a pair or close to $200 each. Question is... do I feel lucky?

[Garrette]

Welcome to the forum. Go Tigers
I would get the alignment checked if you have never had it done. You have already done a lot of upgrades, IMHO, I would spend the additional $200 to maximize my driveability return.
PLUS the alignment will give you a driveability benchmark for future reference.
Have fun at Disney.

[jrowe0521]

In Winston salem nc I paid $68 for alignment. King pins and bushings need to be lubed no more than 18 months because there is not much room for grease and it is easy to do yourself, but it should be jacked up to grease lower. The "camber" is probably off from the factory. The factory alignment specs are so far off from proper it is laughable. For example, toe-in can be toed out and still in spec. The camber, which is the tilt side to side can only be done by a truck alignment shop which will cost about $150. The solid axle has to be bent with hydraulic equipment, but will not change again. Be sure you go to a truck alignment shop. Mine uses the old style that clamps to the wheels and uses level bubbles which done properly is better. If your camber is off you will wear on side of one tire. If both tires wear on sides it is probably toe in. The caster helps to keep you going straight with out much effort. I used "Auto spring co". Absolutely have your alignment done for your expensive tires. Once done, it should stay aligned for many miles. The only lube to do on F53 is front steering parts and king pins and bushings. Good luck

[ProfChuck]

Hope you are getting the package deals at Disney. They are definitely worth it. We just got back in October and had a blast for 7 days. Because we have relatives down there we don't take the TT, but, stay on the property in one of their resorts. Found flying was cheaper than pulling the TT down there over the mountains. I am not sure what packages are available when camping in Wilderness, but, everything we had was definitely worth it, including pictures, "fast lanes" on the rides, and a great meal plan. Hope you have as great a time as we did.

[EdnKat]

Originally Posted by joebelknap

I have a 2016 Georgetown GT3 31B3 (F-53). I added a Saf-T-Steer stabilizer, trac bar in the rear, and CHF in the front after my first white knuckle trip down I-95. Body sway and "push" from passing trucks greatly reduced after upgrades. It steers fine (no pull). Everything I read (here) says that checking the alignment is probably the first thing that should have been done. There is a truck alignment/suspension shop in my area that works on RV's. His charge is $200 to do the alignment, grease all the fittings and inspect the suspension. Heading to Disney World Fort Wilderness (yay!) next month with the daughter and grandkids. Football season will be here shortly and my daughter takes the rig to Clemson (home of the 2018 NCAA Football Champions!!).
I'm thinking $200 is a fair price to pay for this check. Not to mention peace of mind. What do y'all think?

I installed the Safe-T-Steer on our 33' Class C, followed instructions, took it for test on level roads to see if there was any 'pull' one way or the other. Negative. Drove it 10,000 miles to the west coast and back, no tire wear, but the best thing since sliced bread. If you can take your hands of the wheel and it doesn't dive one way or the other, I'd say skip the alignment check.

[jenandrand]

Originally Posted by bubbles

Don't understand post's like this. If you think it's a fair price why solicit others thoughts. Does it really matter in the scheme of things?

It sounds like a fair price to him, but if you don't have any experience with what is actually a fair price for this service....you ask people who do have experience. That way you don't pay $200 for something that may only cost $75.00. Makes perfect sense to me.

I don't understand comments like yours, not helpful at all.