It can be easy to overload a commercial truck, especially when you’re hurrying to deliver inventory or other vehicles in your fleet aren’t available. However, an overloaded commercial truck puts serious stress on the engine and tires and creates unsafe driving conditions. Overweight vehicles are harder to control and can’t always stop in time, resulting in injuries, traffic fines, and extensive truck repairs. Protect your vehicles and your company’s reputation with these weight management tips.

How to Avoid Overweight Commercial Truck Problems

1. Invest in On-Board Truck Scales

Purchase on-board truck scales for every vehicle in your fleet to know exactly how much weight they are carrying. Train your drivers to use these scales correctly so they never drive with excessive loads. Consider assigning truck weight management to a trusted employee if you can’t always be on premise.

2. Remove Unnecessary Items

Emphasize the importance of removing all unnecessary items from your trucks before they leave the lot, such as extra boxes from previous shipments or equipment drivers won’t be needing. Keep your fleet clean so they never carry superfluous weight.

3. Keep Everything Secure

Use bungee cords, ties, tarps, containers, and other applicable materials to keep everything in your commercial vehicle secure. Unsecured items can cause weight shifts that throw off vehicle alignment and make it harder to steer. They also contribute to premature truck repairs because of the extra stress on the axles and other parts.

4. Don’t Forget About Fuel

When calculating your weight capacity, be sure to add fuel to the total. One gallon of diesel fuel weighs about seven pounds, and some trucks hold anywhere between 50 to 100 gallons or more. Truck companies often use saddlebag tanks on either side of their vehicles to distribute fuel weight evenly. Your drivers can also adjust the axles to accommodate fuel weight or make several gas station stops so their vehicles are never too overloaded.

Maintain your commercial fleet with commercial truck repair and maintenance services from Kranz Body in Saint Louis, MO. Known for custom metal fabrication, extended hours during snowstorms, and outstanding customer service, this local company routinely works with contractors in the construction, roofing, and railroad industries. Call (314) 776-3787 for a free estimate or learn more about truck repairs online.