What Causes a Truck to Pull to One Side?
2 Answers
There are several main reasons for a vehicle pulling to one side: 1. The primary cause of a truck pulling to one side is the generation of lateral force, suggesting a need for alignment inspection; it may also be caused by steering wheels, such as uneven tire pressure on the same axle, causing the vehicle to pull toward the side with lower pressure; 2. Uneven wheel height on both sides leads the vehicle to pull toward the lower side; alignment angles can also cause this, such as a skewed rear axle creating a thrust angle, making the vehicle pull in the opposite direction of the thrust line; 3. Uneven camber angles on the same axle cause the vehicle to pull toward the side with the larger camber; uneven caster angles on both sides of the steering axle make the vehicle pull toward the side with the smaller caster angle.
When I first started driving a truck, I often encountered steering deviation. This issue might be related to uneven tire pressure, especially when the pressure on one side of the truck carrying heavy loads is too low or too high, causing the vehicle to lean to one side. I make it a habit to use a tire pressure gauge to check the tires every month, particularly the front and outer rear wheels. If the tire wear is uneven—for example, one tire tread is shallow while another is deep—I replace the tires immediately. Otherwise, sudden skidding can occur at high speeds, which is quite dangerous. Additionally, water or gravel on the road can temporarily affect steering. In such situations, don’t panic; slowly pull over and check the tires first. Remember, performing a quick inspection before a long-distance truck trip can make the journey more worry-free and safer.
