Without A Leg To Lean On

Ok, so I’m short, the main topic was leaning. That’s was just the most original title I could think of.

So I am trying to get a running idea from fellow truck drivers on whether I am just unfamiliar with the area or if my truck has an issue. I have primarily ran Midwest to southwest, never having gone to New England, to include New York. Since having run up this way I have had a very unsettling feeling of leaning far too much to the right. My question is do the roads and such crown much more heavily, IE lean further, in the New England states or am I right in thinking I may have truck issues. I have called the company and they sent me to a Petro and the guy said that he thinks it’s the trailer, but I have run with three different trailers during this run in the region and have consistently had the same unsettling feeling. It has tonight lean quite a bit and then, not overly much so as I am currently writing this, but has then straightened up and almost kicked it to the left, as though I’m hydroplaning and the stability light has come on twice tonight. Now I personally feel the truck has an issue but this is just trying to get your general thoughts for my own sake. I’m about to call the company now and tell them I can’t run this truck anymore until it gets checked out bymore than bubba at a Petro (nothing against any of you bubbas here!).

TL:DR - Do New England states have very heavy crown/banking on their roads or am I dangerously leaning?

Hmmmm...not sure. Where is Linden when we need him...oh right, doing his 7th grade homework...

Three suggestions:

1- try to run in the left lane to see if it flattens out a bit.

2- when parked on a relatively flat, level surface like a TS lot, check the distance between the ground and the lower edge of the scuff rails on each side of your trailer. The distance should be close to equal. Doesn't even require a tape measure,...string, rope, strap, length of duct tape...whatever is available.

3- Finally check the leaf springs to see if there are any inconspicuous cracks or serious misalignment.

Hope this helps. You might just be dealing with an overactive case of worry. Not sure.

I think a 34 hour reset will cure this problem.

Being born and raised in NE I will confirm..the roads suck in many places. As for that being the problem, no idea.

I tend to run northeast and midwest and don't believe the roads are crowned differently. Definitely check your suspension on both your tractor and trailer. Did your load possibly shift? Who knows, but check out your equipment.

Is the steering wheel pulling to the right also? What happens when you apply the brakes? Does it pull to one direction? Does it pull the other way in the opposite lane? Do you feel any vibrations in your seat, or in the steering wheel? How's the tread wear on your tires? What's the cold, static inflation pressure?

Is the steering wheel pulling to the right also? What happens when you apply the brakes? Does it pull to one direction? Does it pull the other way in the opposite lane? Do you feel any vibrations in your seat, or in the steering wheel? How's the tread wear on your tires? What's the cold, static inflation pressure?

Pressure all around is 110, JUST had it serviced and it continues to do the same thing. The wheel has never been straight. To go straight you have to turn slightly right, some left hand curves I’m still turning right to go left. Brakes have no bearing on it as much as I can tell. The seat doesn’t seem to have any lean in any direction. I don’t feel any vibrations, although I have occasionally heard or felt a pop from under the cab, but nothing like a air bag or tire blowing.

Thank you for all the suggestions.

Okay. You wrote that this is only on the NE roads that this occuring. If it has only been occurring there, and not on your normal areas of operating, it has me stumped. Do you listen to the XM satellite radio at all?

Somebody hasn’t been drinking their V8.

I’m sure you’ve been checking everything so... I’m assuming it’s not a broken spring.

We have a couple roads here that really lean you right it’s very uncomfortable. I feel your pain.