If you own a truck for your business, you want to ensure you're always keeping it in good repair, as your business may slow down or even come to an abrupt halt if your truck should stop running. Fixing a large truck at the first sign of trouble can also mean avoiding more costly repair bills in the future. Note a few questions you might have about some common problems with heavy-duty and commercial trucks, and then you can know when it's time to bring your truck in to a nearby shop, and what types of truck repairs you might expect.
How do you know if a truck needs an alignment versus a new suspension?
Misaligned tyres and a poor suspension can both cause the truck to pull in one direction or another, and both might cause resistance when you turn a corner. However, a poor suspension system can also cause a truck to sway when you turn, not just pull or resist that turn. When shocks and springs of a suspension system are worn out, they fail to keep the truck body in place when you turn, and you'll feel that sway. If this happens, have the suspension checked along with the tyres when you bring your truck to a shop.
Why would a truck struggle to start only on some occasions?
If the truck's battery is very low, it may struggle to start every time you turn the key; however, if the truck struggles to start on some occasions but then starts right up on other occasions, this can be faulty wiring. Damaged or poor-quality wiring will give the starter intermittent power so that it works on occasion, but not every time you turn the key. If you've had the battery tested and it's at full strength, have the wiring to the ignition system checked.
Does a slipping transmission always mean that it needs replacing?
If you put your truck into gear and it takes a quick second to "catch," this usually means that the transmission is slipping and needs to be replaced. However, if you're hauling a heavy load and the truck slips or loses power, this can be the result of worn tyres, or being overloaded with more weight than your truck can manage. Added weight doesn't mean you need a new transmission; you may only need to be more cautious about the weight you haul with your truck so that it doesn't slip and you don't cause damage to the tyres, engine and the transmission.
