The Importance of Wheel Alignment for Commercial Vehicles

The Importance of Wheel Alignment for Commercial Vehicles

Commercial wheel alignment is the process of setting the wheel angles on a van, HGV, bus or multi-axle vehicle to the manufacturer's specification. Correct alignment reduces tyre wear, lowers fuel consumption through reduced rolling resistance, and improves stability and driver control. For workshops, it is a preventative maintenance service that fleets need regularly and one that is straightforward to sell.

As costs of vehicle parts and fuel continue to increase, keeping vans, HGVs and buses on the road and performing efficiently and safely is vital. Misaligned wheels work against all three.

There is increasing cost pressure on fleets, logistics companies and public transport providers. Any area where money can be saved is crucial to ensure business budgets are met while maintaining high levels of safety. Wheel alignment is one of the simplest ways to make sure a fleet stays in the best condition possible.

Why Commercial Vehicles Go Out of Alignment

Alignment shifts over time on any vehicle, and commercial vehicles work harder than most. The common causes are:

• Replacement of steering parts
• General wear and tear
• Uneven roads and potholes
• Collision damage
• Factory defects

Premature Tyre Wear Can Be Costly

Wheels, tyres and suspension are some of the most critical components on a commercial vehicle, being the only ones that control contact with the road. In the example of an articulated truck, which can have up to 20 tyres on a single vehicle, premature tyre wear is a costly problem.

Misaligned wheels increase wear on tyres and suspension components. If not checked and rectified, these costs mount, increasing budgetary pressures.

Noticing wear through servicing could come too late to prevent a vehicle taking a spell off the road. Worse, a tyre blow-out caused by premature wear, or increased shoulder wear, could damage other vehicle components, increasing repair costs and downtime.

The issue can be worse on electric vehicles, which feature much more torque than their internal combustion counterparts. With businesses looking to improve their environmental credentials through zero emission vans, trucks and buses, increased tyre wear is already likely, but it can be managed with wheel alignment checks.

Fuel for Thought

Misaligned wheels do not only increase wear, they also impact fuel consumption. A vehicle with greater rolling resistance needs more energy to propel it than one with its wheels pointing in the same direction.

This problem increases with vehicle size. LCVs need more energy, but the larger contact patch on an HGV or bus tyre means more resistance again should it be out of alignment.

As fuel costs continue to fluctuate, budget pressures are increasing on the logistics sector. Any fuel wastage is money burnt for no reason. Wheel alignment is a simple procedure that identifies the issue and leads to a quick resolution.

Safety First

In the world of commercial transportation, safety is non-negotiable. Misaligned wheels can cause a vehicle to pull to one side, making it difficult for drivers to maintain control. Proper wheel alignment enhances overall control and stability on larger commercial vehicles.

Correctly aligned axles eliminate pull and drifting, which in turn reduces driver fatigue. For an employer, keeping drivers safe at work is not optional, and alignment is a straightforward contribution to it.

Which Commercial Vehicles Need Alignment?

Supertracker's range enables garages to provide accurate wheel alignment across the commercial spectrum:

Simple Solutions

For workshops, wheel alignment is a service that can be offered as preventative maintenance, keeping fleets active while reducing pressure on repair budgets.

There are a number of solutions available. The Supertracker STR1500 commercial tracking gauge allows quick two wheel alignment inspections and small front toe adjustments, and comes with heavy duty turn plates and its own calibration bars. The Supertracker STR T4 twin steer system enables work with multi-axle vehicles. Both use laser technology for a quick, efficient reading across a range of commercial vehicles. For workshops wanting a database and printed before and after readings, the STR 420RW T is a fully computerised truck aligner covering both single and twin steer.

The Supertracker commercial range is assembled in the UK with very short lead times, and backed by nationwide aftercare through the Supertracker service engineer fleet.

See the full commercial wheel aligner range to compare systems.

Properly aligned wheels save money and time, and increase safety. For truck operators serving their own fleets this is vital. For maintenance workshops it is an essential service to provide, and an easy one to sell.