When you are a commercial truck driver, whether you load up your trailer or not, you need to make sure that it is done properly. If not, it will be a struggle to get your load where it needs to go. You may find yourself having trouble going up hills, slowing down, or even making turns. The worst case scenario, you may end up losing your load for one reason or another.
So, what are the most common problems that occur when loading your trailer?
Overloading. Each truck and trailer are rated for a certain amount of weight. If you load more than that, you are just asking for trouble. It is not safe to put more weight on your truck and trailer. It can lead to equipment and brake failures and you may not be able to make it up a hill or stop at the bottom of one! Then, when the weather is bad, it can be even worse!
Hauling oversized loads. Loads that are oversized require extra care. Not only that, but you need special permits and equipment to get where you need to go. Also, you may only be able to haul on certain roads at certain times, so it is important that you have everything lined up before you get started! I addition, you may even need to hire escort vehicles, depending on your route and what you are hauling. You may need to use alternative routes so you don’t have to go over any bridges or even go through tunnels. You may not fit!
That being said, these loads are very hard on your truck and trailer. It may not be worth hauling these items, when it is all said and done.
Improperly balanced loads. Having a balanced load is essential for smooth travel. If your load is off center or imbalanced, it can affect how your truck and trailer drive. It can even damage your truck, trailer, and the tires too! If you put too much or too little weight on the steering axle, you may have trouble turning. If you put too much or too little weight on the drive axle, you may have trouble getting traction when you need it.
This can make even a short trip feel like it is taking forever. You may be so exhausted trying to get where you are going that it would have been easier just to reload it properly.
High center of gravity. If your load is piled up too high, it can really affect how your truck and trailer drive. Not only that, it can lead to roll-overs when you are trying to turn. Then, if you need to move suddenly to get out of harm’s way, you may not be able to, without causing any issues.
Insecure loads. Once you load your cargo, it is time to secure it to the trailer. If this isn’t done properly, it may shift during transport, which could really affect how your truck and trailer handle. Not only that, but you could potentially lose your cargo if it is not properly secured. This can cause a big accident if you are not careful.
You also need to think about what else is on the trailer. If you have a tarp or cover on top of your cargo, it could become loose on the ride, affecting other drivers.
If you want to get from point A to point B as easily as possible, you need to make sure that your load is balanced. Otherwise, the trip may feel like it is taking forever. It also needs to be strapped down, so that you don’t have to worry about it shifting or even falling off!
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