Overloading is a term commonly used and heard when talking about vehicles. Driving an overloaded vehicle is a moving hazard that could put its driver and other vehicles in danger. That’s because any vehicle that carries more than it should compromises tire integrity, increasing the risk of failure leading to accidents.
Overloaded light vehicles can cause so much trouble for most drivers, but overloaded trucks are a different case. Since they are bigger, repairs from damages are more costly. It’s also common to overload trucks because they can carry heavier loads which causes drivers to overlook the load capacity of their tires at times.
To be safe, truck drivers should know when truck tires overload. We compiled some signs that indicate when they are carrying more than they should.
Underinflation
Tire air pressure plays a role in overloading vehicle tires. Since tires lose air whenever you drive, you may reach a point when the tire pressure is too low for the truck’s weight, including the passenger and cargo. When that happens, the truck’s tires are considered overloaded.
You can avail of safety devices such as a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that can be installed on your truck to monitor tire pressure. That way, you’ll know if your truck’s current weight is too heavy for your tires when you drive.
Compressed suspension
Overloading a truck compresses its suspension. You’ll know when it happens because your truck will stop bouncing when you drive. After all, a truck that carries cargo within the load capacity of its tires typically bounces, so when it doesn’t, it could mean the suspension has been compressed due to overloading.
The truck struggles to slow down
Normally, overloaded vehicles have a difficult time slowing down. The heavier the load that trucks carry, the more difficult it is for them to slow forward motion. This is dangerous because the driver’s ability to put the truck to a full stop quicker is impaired, making it accident-prone.
Difficulty with maintaining control
Truck tires’ whose load limit has been exceeded will make it difficult for drivers to control the truck. Overloading affects a truck’s steering capabilities, making it difficult to maneuver and keep a straight path.
Tire blowout
Overloading is one of the leading causes of tires blowing out when vehicles are on the road. An overloaded truck will cause tires to severely overheat if driven for a long time, which will cause the tire to fail, or, worse, explode while driving.
Follow the load rating of tires to avoid accidents. Also, don’t overlook using the right tires for your truck. Check out our product catalog for more details.
