 |
09-12-2023, 05:31 PM
|
#1
|
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Chattanooga
Posts: 663
M.O.C. #20906
|
Wheel Alignment
I keep hearing folks say they had their trailer aligned. Other than replacing worn parts (bushings, hanger bolts, etc) or straightening an axle, what adjustment is there on our Montana's to change the alignment? No adjustments like on an auto that I can see. What am I missing, besides my hair?
__________________
2019 Montana 3121RL
2017 XLT 350 SCLB DRW 4X4
|
|
|
|
09-12-2023, 05:37 PM
|
#2
|
|
Site Team
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Oro Valley
Posts: 3,933
M.O.C. #20477
|
Larry,
A good shop can bend the axles in addition to the things you mentioned.
__________________
Zack and Donna plus Millie and Ranger
2018 3160RL
"Life is too short to stay indoors, enjoy the ride!"
|
|
|
|
|
09-12-2023, 05:41 PM
|
#3
|
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Chattanooga
Posts: 663
M.O.C. #20906
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by AZ Traveler
Larry,
A good shop can bend the axles in addition to the things you mentioned.
|
I do understand that axles can be bent. I am having inner tire wear on my rear axle. I live in Chattanooga, which is a fare sized city, but cannot find a shop that will do that. Plenty will replace the axle.
__________________
2019 Montana 3121RL
2017 XLT 350 SCLB DRW 4X4
|
|
|
|
|
09-12-2023, 06:11 PM
|
#4
|
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2021
Location: Northeast TX
Posts: 944
M.O.C. #30262
|
Recommend looking for a place that specializes in semi trailer repairs. If nothing else, call the closest truck stop and ask them where the closest semi trailer repair facility is located
__________________
 Lee, Edith, Lil' Bit & Cuddles
22 MHC 331RL, Surge Guard 35550, SumoSprings, Kodiak disc brakes, 412Ah Lithium, Gen 3 Goosebox, Sailun 85s
22 Ram 3500 CC DRW 6.7 CTD Herrin Hauler Classic Bed, 45 gal AUX tank
|
|
|
|
|
09-12-2023, 06:15 PM
|
#5
|
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Chattanooga
Posts: 663
M.O.C. #20906
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lee-CI
Recommend looking for a place that specializes in semi trailer repairs. If nothing else, call the closest truck stop and ask them where the closest semi trailer repair facility is located
|
I did call a tractor trailer repair shop, he said there are no alignment adjustments on a camper. Maybe he didn't want to mess with it. Might give a truck stop a call.
__________________
2019 Montana 3121RL
2017 XLT 350 SCLB DRW 4X4
|
|
|
|
|
09-12-2023, 06:41 PM
|
#6
|
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: Shingle Springs
Posts: 2,236
M.O.C. #30417
|
__________________
Tony & Donna
2022 Montana HC, 295RL, Solar Flex 400, Onan 3600 LPG, 2K inverter, 200AH Lithium. 2020 GMC Denali 2500 6.6 Duramax, Demco 21K Auto Slide
|
|
|
|
|
09-12-2023, 07:07 PM
|
#7
|
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Chattanooga
Posts: 663
M.O.C. #20906
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Foldbak
|
Yes I've read that thread and several others. I strapped a piece of aluminum angle iron to the bottom of both axles to compare the upward (correct) bow between the two. The gap between the axle and angle iron was a little less on the rear axle but the axle still has an upward bow. Definitely not straight or bowed down. I'm going to check and repack the bearings and will do a more thorough inspection then. I also checked from the pin box to both front tires and was only about 1/4" difference. But there was about 1/2" difference between the front and rear tires from one side compared to the other.
__________________
2019 Montana 3121RL
2017 XLT 350 SCLB DRW 4X4
|
|
|
|
|
09-12-2023, 07:45 PM
|
#8
|
|
Site Team
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Oro Valley
Posts: 3,933
M.O.C. #20477
|
Larry,
How many miles to ruin your tires?
__________________
Zack and Donna plus Millie and Ranger
2018 3160RL
"Life is too short to stay indoors, enjoy the ride!"
|
|
|
|
|
09-15-2023, 07:56 AM
|
#9
|
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Chattanooga
Posts: 663
M.O.C. #20906
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by AZ Traveler
Larry,
How many miles to ruin your tires?
|
They were a little over 5 years old with 20k miles. I hadn't noticed the inside wear until recently, but may have been there longer. So don't know if it was gradual or it happened rapidly at the end. I have a tire gauge and will be checking tread wear each trip. Will be pulling wheels and repacking bearings in a couple of weeks, may find a problem then.
__________________
2019 Montana 3121RL
2017 XLT 350 SCLB DRW 4X4
|
|
|
|
|
09-15-2023, 08:08 AM
|
#10
|
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: Shingle Springs
Posts: 2,236
M.O.C. #30417
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Baldicon
They were a little over 5 years old with 20k miles. I hadn't noticed the inside wear until recently, but may have been there longer. So don't know if it was gradual or it happened rapidly at the end. I have a tire gauge and will be checking tread wear each trip. Will be pulling wheels and repacking bearings in a couple of weeks, may find a problem then.
|
Well you got 20K out of them. At 5 years it's time to replace anyway but surely want to correct alignment issues first. Loose wheel bearings could be a cause. As I understand it, if the axle has an upward bow you should be ok. What kind of tires are they?
__________________
Tony & Donna
2022 Montana HC, 295RL, Solar Flex 400, Onan 3600 LPG, 2K inverter, 200AH Lithium. 2020 GMC Denali 2500 6.6 Duramax, Demco 21K Auto Slide
|
|
|
|
|
09-15-2023, 09:20 AM
|
#11
|
|
Site Team
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Oro Valley
Posts: 3,933
M.O.C. #20477
|
Larry,
Agree with Tony. Most trailer tires age out before they wear out. I always replace mine at 3-4 years, cheap insurance.
__________________
Zack and Donna plus Millie and Ranger
2018 3160RL
"Life is too short to stay indoors, enjoy the ride!"
|
|
|
|
|
09-15-2023, 01:39 PM
|
#12
|
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Chattanooga
Posts: 663
M.O.C. #20906
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by AZ Traveler
Larry,
Agree with Tony. Most trailer tires age out before they wear out. I always replace mine at 3-4 years, cheap insurance.
|
Agree with you both about replacement time. But if there is a problem I don't want to wear out new tires prematurely. They were Sailun tires and that's what I put back on. I think they recommend 6 years. Axle does still have upward bow.
__________________
2019 Montana 3121RL
2017 XLT 350 SCLB DRW 4X4
|
|
|
|
|
09-17-2023, 02:10 PM
|
#13
|
|
Seasoned Camper
Join Date: May 2020
Location: TAHOE VISTA
Posts: 60
M.O.C. #26330
|
If the distance between the tire is off by more the x from one side to the other, how does one adjust that? and what tolerances is acceptable for X?
|
|
|
|
|
09-17-2023, 04:12 PM
|
#14
|
|
Montana Fan
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Bakersfield
Posts: 110
M.O.C. #19549
|
I have my axle alignment checked about twice a year depending on driving conditions. I do suggest to go to a shop that specializes trucks, buses, trailers, and large RV’s. The first time I took it in the had to drop the axels off and reinstall them. I ate up 2 sets of tires before I took it to a larger shop that specialized in axels.
|
|
|
|
|
09-25-2023, 09:05 AM
|
#15
|
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Chattanooga
Posts: 663
M.O.C. #20906
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rich Lazz
If the distance between the tire is off by more the x from one side to the other, how does one adjust that? and what tolerances is acceptable for X?
|
Would like to know the answer too!
__________________
2019 Montana 3121RL
2017 XLT 350 SCLB DRW 4X4
|
|
|
|
|
09-25-2023, 09:38 AM
|
#16
|
|
Montana Fan
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Bakersfield
Posts: 110
M.O.C. #19549
|
Axel Alignment
Quote:
Originally Posted by Baldicon
Would like to know the answer too!
|
The repair center I went to had to drop the axles and reinstall.
|
|
|
|
|
09-25-2023, 11:29 AM
|
#17
|
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Chattanooga
Posts: 663
M.O.C. #20906
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by BUBBA-NONNIE
The repair center I went to had to drop the axles and reinstall.
|
Axles were repositioned on the springs?
__________________
2019 Montana 3121RL
2017 XLT 350 SCLB DRW 4X4
|
|
|
|
|
09-25-2023, 12:47 PM
|
#18
|
|
Montana Fan
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Bakersfield
Posts: 110
M.O.C. #19549
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Baldicon
Axles were repositioned on the springs?
|
Could not get enough movement on the axels, and explained to me they had to reposition the springs. No wear now and pulls like a dream.
|
|
|
|
|
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 Threads |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Linear Mode
