3 Negative Effects of Truck Overloading
March 30, 2021
What are the negative effects of truck overloading?
- Difficulty steering
- Undue pressure on tires and brakes
- Faster wear and tear on the suspension
Truck overloading has effects on not just the maneuverability of the vehicle, but also on its rate of wear and tear, maintenance, and the quality of the suspension system. The load capacity for commercial trucks may depend on the chassis, body, suspension system, axles, cabin, passenger, fuel, and the like.
In the Philippines, certain fines and penalties are imposed on trucks that go well beyond the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, or GVWR. As you may know, overloaded trucks are not an uncommon sight on the road. You’ll often see commercial trucks carrying more than their prescribed GVWR. While most of them may go unnoticed, they may become subject to fines, especially when caught by a public enforcer.
With all of the above in mind, it’s important to avoid overloading a truck or any kind of vehicle for that matter. This can lead to serious issues that may potentially lead to a number of road accidents. Read on to learn more.
Difficulty Steering
When a truck is improperly loaded, this can cause problems with the steering performance. The driver might take extra care more than usual just to turn the vehicle, especially during sharp bends or when switching lanes. One reason for this is that they might be trying to prevent the truck from toppling over onto one side, thus forcing the driver to exert more effort into avoiding this situation.
With an inefficient steering system, the driver can not only endanger the truck and themselves, but also the surrounding vehicles. A truck that’s too heavy, for example, might not be able to avoid a roadblock or large pothole in time. Moreover, steering the vehicle back from its original position can also be challenging.
Undue Pressure On Tires and Brakes
The brakes and wheels are two of the most crucial components of any vehicle, not just for a truck. The brakes allow the driver to control the speed of the vehicle, as well as, prevent collisions on the road. Meanwhile, the wheels allow the driver to travel smoothly on different road surfaces. The quality of the tires can also influence the truck’s stopping distance as well as the quality of the comfort of the driver.
Aside from making it difficult for the driver to steer the truck, overloading also causes undue pressure on the tires and brakes. In extreme cases, the brakes may even fail or malfunction due to the excess weight. The driver won’t be able to properly stop the truck due to the increased effort it takes to do so.
Faster Wear and Tear On the Suspension
As mentioned before, the tires, wheels, and brakes are all affected when a truck is overloaded. While one-time overloading won’t necessarily cause damage to these parts — although this is never advised — the prolonged practice of this poor habit will inevitably speed up the wear and tear for many systems, especially the suspension.
When this happens, the suspension system won’t be able to function optimally. Steering and driving will put pressure on both the vehicle and the driver, especially when driving on jagged surfaces. More so, if the leaf spring system of the vehicle totally fails, the truck height won’t be able to even out, thereby causing a nosedive in extreme cases.
Key Takeaway
When it comes to truck overloading, the effects on the vehicle can not only cause minor inconvenience but long-term damage. In this guide, we’ve covered three major impacts of prolonged overloading, namely: poor steering, increased pressure on tires and brakes, and faster wear and tear on the leaf spring/overall suspension system.
To avoid all of these, truck drivers should see to it that the vehicle isn’t carrying more than its allowable Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. This allows them to comply with road regulations as well as keep themselves and other vehicles away from danger.
