Your Suspension has never been Aligned

[Cate&Rob]

At the Rally plant tour today, we learned that Grand Design assembles the axles to the frame.

They have no production alignment capability and do not require the dealer to check alignment as part of PDI. Lippert Correct Track provides the CAPABILITY to align the suspension, but most dealers do not have the equipment to do this.

Bottom line is that most Grand Design products are running down the road with an alignment system that has never been adjusted to correct alignment.

Rob

 

[campusa]

Interesting, thanks for sharing.

 

[steve gravelle]

News we need to use and act on!

 

[minnow101]

That admission leads to a whole host of safety and warranty concerns. With axles out of alignment, how many blow outs, which heretofore were blamed on Westlake, are really due to misaligned axles. Many RV'ers don't pull their trailer far or long enough during the 1 year warranty period where abnormal tire wear from misaligned axles would become apparent. By the time it is recognized, "so sorry, too late, warranty expired."
It appears to me that installing "CorrectTrac" is just a marketing scheme to make a buyer think they are getting an upgraded suspension when in fact it's just a bunch of extra widgets that serve no practical purpose(unless of course the purchaser can find a heavy duty truck/ trailer alignment shop that is familiar with these widgets
and on their own dime, get their axles aligned correctly)

 

[RGMutchler]

Did anyone ask the powers that be at GD about the alignment issue? If so what was the response?

 

[Canyonlight]

Rob--thanks for getting and sharing this information. It seems I recall reading in our owners packet that there was a section/separate document addressing the need for owners to get the alignment checked AFTER getting the RV fully loaded. We know that there is 500 +/- more weight on the street side with these type RV floor plans and possibly approaching 1000 lbs. when fully loaded. This will cause axle alignment to be further off than when delivered (assuming it is off then too which it appears it was/is.) The selling dealer of our 303 in WI, was aware of this condition with RVs with these (and I assume other floor plans) and has the equipment to align the axles. I plan to check locally and learn more and get this addressed. As you and I have communicated, it seems our street side axles are about 3/8"--1/2" closer together than the curb side.

Thanks, again, Rob !

Dan

 

[teamam]

So is the cost of getting the alignment on the buyer or GD? How long after purchase and use do we wait?

 

[LCBoyer]

I think the alignment is part of the maintenance we are required to pay for

 

[teamam]

Gotcha, I think the thread said that it does not come aligned at PDI so would that be on them?

 

[tonyself]

All very interesting after two blow outs I would like to know if our RV has a problem and can not understand why they would sell a new unit of high value does not come aligned!
why do we have to make a list of post delivery problems then spend time back at the dealer getting it all fixed?

I buy a new truck from Ford and all I have had to do is change the oil and filters!

Tony

 

[tonyself]

Quick update
Just ask the GD dealer who is repairing the RV after the blow out about checking our axles alignment and they said ''we do not have the necessary equipment to do this type of check/work''

so how would we get them tested?

Tony

 

[offtohavasu]

I agree there should be an initial alignment done at the factory. I also agree with the manual stating to get it aligned after it is loaded, as mentioned, because the alignment will change with the weight difference. This should be done as a "warranty" item. The problem, also as mentioned, is it seems that there are not a lot of RV facilities that handle this. Business opportunity???

 

[teamam]

I just contacted my dealer as they are doing PDI now to ask if this is something that is done. SO.... How many folks are having blowouts, that is very concerning to me to be honest.

 

[RGMutchler]

Curtis,
If you interpret this as a business opportunity jump on it. I think most of us, or at least I, just want a properly prepared unit when we purchase it and want GD to fix in the production process the list of problems from kant not leak, to grease seals, to black water tank problems and the other items that seem to continue in the lines over 3? years of production. If that were done many would not have to leave their units for long periods of time at the dealer instead of having use of them.

 

[offtohavasu]

Ralph settle down just a bit. As you can see I agreed with your statement. Add the opportunity goes, it was a joke done it seems no dealer can do the work, so someone with the know how can have a good job opportunity.

 

[huntr70]

So you all are finally realizing that the alignment system is just another Lippert marketing ploy.

How is the "quick lube axle" working out??

Think about how the last 50 years of trailer manufacturing has never used an alignment system and had very few issues.

So, they are coming offline in just as good as shape as they have been for 50 plus years...

 

[james quinn]

At the Rally plant tour today, we learned that Grand Design assembles the axles to the frame.

They have no production alignment capability and do not require the dealer to check alignment as part of PDI. Lippert Correct Track provides the CAPABILITY to align the suspension, but most dealers do not have the equipment to do this.

Bottom line is that most Grand Design products are running down the road with an alignment system that has never been adjusted to correct alignment.



Rob

So Rob, I guess my recollection of GD assembly was correct. And my wife thinks I'm suffering from Alzhiemers !!

 

[Fulltime Livin]

Some other brand with Dexter axles is looking better and better.... Or spend more money and get Morryde installed aftermarket. At least they align it at their shop.

 

[LCBoyer]

Full time, I think you will find most trailer builders use Dexter axles. I think Grand Design gives the best built trailer for the money. A friend recently bought a $159,000 DRV. he has had much more trouble with it than I've had with my 379

 

[RGMutchler]

I didn't pay any attention to the axle manufacturer when I checked by brakes for leaky seals but the seals in the brake drum were Dexter.