unclebilly Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 When my truck is empty, the steering wheel is straight as I go down the highway. When the. Truck is loaded, it. Is. At about 1:00 when I go down the highway.My throught is that I might have a mismatched air bag - what are your thoughts?Is this something I need to worry about? There is no play in the steering and the truck was recently cvip'd. The truck does not pull to the left. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22540-gravel-truck-loaded-vs-empty/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
unclebilly Posted January 8, 2012 Author Share Posted January 8, 2012 The truck is a 95 ch613. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22540-gravel-truck-loaded-vs-empty/#findComment-97184 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackdaddy1911a1 Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 I can't help you with this problem just wanted you to know that we are reading your post. Good luck. Quote THE GREATEST NAME IN TRUCKS MACK TRUCKS Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22540-gravel-truck-loaded-vs-empty/#findComment-97188 Share on other sites More sharing options...
hatcity Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 How much crown does the road have?Slightly weak front spring? Quote Success is only a stones throw away.................................................................for a Palestinian Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22540-gravel-truck-loaded-vs-empty/#findComment-97191 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bollweevil Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 As the front springs compress, to a degree you will see the same effect as lengthening the drag link. Normally not enough to pull the steering off center. Gravel trucks usually do not have air bags, but rather a spring suspension set up for heavy loads. Just for a quick check, take a tape measure, and on a hard level surface measure the height of the front bumper, empty, then loaded. If there is a big difference start looking at springs. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22540-gravel-truck-loaded-vs-empty/#findComment-97195 Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthernWhiteman Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 It could be many factors at work here. What type of rear suspension do you have? Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22540-gravel-truck-loaded-vs-empty/#findComment-97199 Share on other sites More sharing options...
unclebilly Posted January 9, 2012 Author Share Posted January 9, 2012 The truck has air suspension in the rear. It was a converted day cab truck. I will get some photos of the suspension setup. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22540-gravel-truck-loaded-vs-empty/#findComment-97258 Share on other sites More sharing options...
other dog Posted January 9, 2012 Share Posted January 9, 2012 As the front springs compress, to a degree you will see the same effect as lengthening the drag link. Normally not enough to pull the steering off center. Gravel trucks usually do not have air bags, but rather a spring suspension set up for heavy loads. Just for a quick check, take a tape measure, and on a hard level surface measure the height of the front bumper, empty, then loaded. If there is a big difference start looking at springs.The old IH dump truck at the shop is an old road tractor with air ride, and it's terrifying to drive on the road with a load of gravel. You've got that constant feeling of "i'm turning overrrrrr...." Quote Producer of poorly photo-chopped pictures since 1999. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22540-gravel-truck-loaded-vs-empty/#findComment-97290 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pawel Posted January 9, 2012 Share Posted January 9, 2012 Is this the reason they put the steering box on the front axle on Cruiseliners and Superliners I? Have a nice dayPaweł Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22540-gravel-truck-loaded-vs-empty/#findComment-97294 Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeavyGunner Posted January 9, 2012 Share Posted January 9, 2012 The old IH dump truck at the shop is an old road tractor with air ride, and it's terrifying to drive on the road with a load of gravel. You've got that constant feeling of "i'm turning overrrrrr...."We have a 97 KW T800 converted to a straight truck and the first time I drove it it felt like a tippy waterbed on wheels. A little research and I found a kit called Timbren (I think its how you spell it) and it made all the difference in the world. I think it was $1700 installed if memory serves me correctly. Quote The problems we face today exist because the people who work for a living are outnumbered by the people who vote for a living.The government can only "give" someone what they first take from another. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22540-gravel-truck-loaded-vs-empty/#findComment-97340 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lmackattack Posted January 9, 2012 Share Posted January 9, 2012 if the rears are out of alignment with the front it will tend to push the rear of truck outward and then you have to compensate with steering. when empty it may not feel as bad. could also be the alignment of the draglink, ackerman, steering box. As Bollweevil mentioned.. the truck sags when loaded and this will push the draglink forward or backwards thus moving the steering wheel. Most times this is only noticed when very heavy as it needs alot of sag to notice the wheel position move. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22540-gravel-truck-loaded-vs-empty/#findComment-97348 Share on other sites More sharing options...
unclebilly Posted January 11, 2012 Author Share Posted January 11, 2012 I had a good look at it yesterday with 14000 kegs on it. The 2 rear bags are definitely different and the one on the right is definitely longer under load by maybe .500 - .750". I think this is my issue. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22540-gravel-truck-loaded-vs-empty/#findComment-97531 Share on other sites More sharing options...
unclebilly Posted January 11, 2012 Author Share Posted January 11, 2012 (edited) I wish I had 14000 kegs, that would be a hellufa kegger... I meant to say 14000 kgs or 14 metric tons but autocorrect helped me out. Edited January 11, 2012 by unclebilly Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22540-gravel-truck-loaded-vs-empty/#findComment-97532 Share on other sites More sharing options...
fifth wheel Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 Is this the reason they put the steering box on the front axle on Cruiseliners and Superliners I? Have a nice dayPawełThe Cruiseliner has it mounted on the axle due to cabover configuration, Superliner 1 is a Cruiseliner chassis.FW Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22540-gravel-truck-loaded-vs-empty/#findComment-97570 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olivetroad Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 I wish I had 14000 kegs, that would be a hellufa kegger... I meant to say 14000 kgs or 14 metric tons but autocorrect helped me out.That was what I thought when I first read it - those Kegger days are long past! Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/22540-gravel-truck-loaded-vs-empty/#findComment-97610 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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