Supertracker commercial wheel alignment system

Commercial Wheel Alignment - the benefits and the solutions

As costs of vehicle parts and fuels continue to increase, keeping vans, HGVs and buses on the road and performing efficiently and safely is vital. Misaligned wheels can impact this, see how we can help.

 

There is increasing cost pressure on fleets, logistics companies and public transport providers. Any area where money can be saved will be crucial to ensure business budgets are met, whilst maintaining high levels of safety. Wheel alignment, the process of adjusting the angles of the wheels to the manufacturer’s specifications, is just one of the ways to make sure a fleet remains in the best condition possible.

 

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 can be a costly problem.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Fuel for thought

Misaligned wheels can not only increase wear, but they can also impact fuel consumption. This is due to the increased energy needed by a vehicle to propel a vehicle with a greater rolling resistance than one with wheels pointing in the same direction. 

 

This problem can increase with the vehicle size. While LCVs will need more energy, the larger contact patch for a HGV or bus tyre means more resistance should it be out of alignment.  

 

As fuel costs continue to fluctuate, budget pressures are increasing on the logistics sector. Therefore, any fuel wastage is money that is burnt for no reason. Yet wheel alignment is a simple procedure that can identify issues, and lead to a quick resolution. 

 

Safety first

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

 

Simple solutions

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

 

There are a number of solutions available to allow for a wide range of vehicles to be checked. Starting from only £1699 + vat products such as the Supertracker STR1500 gauges allow for quick two-wheel alignment inspections and,  the Supertracker STR T4LC wheel alignment system enables work with multi-axle vehicles. Both using laser technology offer a quick and efficient wheel alignment reading for a range of commercial vehicles. The Supertracker commercial range of wheel alignment is assembled in the UK with very short lead times and backed by national aftercare servicing. Contact us on info@supertracker.com for more information.

 

Properly aligned wheels saves money, time, and increases safety. For truck operators serving their own fleets, this is vital, and for Maintenance Workshops it is an essential service to provide and an easy one to sell.