What makes for a good trailer frame and alignment shop?

John Messina president-elect of Truck frame and Axle Repair Association (TARA) and president of Tampa Spring Company offers this advice for deciding upon which trailer frame and alignment shop to use:

1. Look for a shop that is a member of TARA - the premier organization in North America whose focus is on quality frame and axle repair and maintenance.

"TARA member shops adhere to a philosophy of superior business ethics in the repair of transportation equipment," he says. "When dealing with a shop that is a member of TARA, customers can be assured of receiving fair and honest work being completed upon their vehicle by trained employees using the most up-to-date latest equipment and the latest repair techniques."

2. Check the provider's reputation. "There is nothing better than word-of-mouth referrals."

3. Is the shop's equipment state of the art?

4. Are their technicians trained?

By way of example, Messina says that all of his company's technicians are thoroughly trained on all frame and alignment equipment, as well as on the principals of vehicle alignment. Additionally, employees take part in TARA training events and educational classes provided by other repair organizations and manufactures.