steering at highway speeds

**road_runner** · 07.05.2012

Bit of a stupid question, but I figured I would ask anyway. When I drive at highway speeds (usually between 55 and 64 mph), my trucks steering feels like it is doing its own thing. Maybe it is just the ruts/tire trails on the asphalt road, but I will feel the truck pulling to one side or another. The steering wheel will also pull away into the direction of the drift. When I drive, I keep both hands on the wheel, and I sometimes clench the wheel really hard to keep control of the truck and keep it straight. I know I am all over the place, cause when I pull triples or Rocky doubles, I can see my trailers snaking in the back. My big question is: does this happen to anyone else? Am I gripping the wheel wrong? Am I driving too fast? Is it the poor quality of roads? Or is it just poor driving practice on my part? Most importantly, how should I counter this problem?

**Logan76** · 07.05.2012

Most likely grooves in the road is all.

**Powder Joints** · 07.05.2012

relax and go with the flow. Fighting it will cause you to lose control.

**SmokeyCowboy009** · 07.05.2012

? Are you drivin a full conventional cab/sleeper or a daycab?

Observation. The "fighting" to keep the tractor moving in a straight line has some to do with wind direction and speed; the road conditions; wheel balance and alignment; and yes your actual mph speed.
example: you are driving along and you notice storm clouds ahead. then you notice the truck pulling real hard to left or right due to the angle of the wind. a head wind (from the front) will not affect steering to much but enough to need to slow down some or speed up per the speed of the wind to counter the drag/resistence being put against your forward motion.
If it was a cross wind (from either side of the vehicle) you will have to turn the steering in the direction of the pushing. the higher the wind speed the further you have to counter the movement but not so much to over correct when no resistance if felt like passing under an overpass or a stand of trees, but then you get the wind again on the other side. In these types of conditions it is best to slow down but not so much as to be a hindrance to traffic behind.
A tail wind (from the rear) is the best to drive with. great on fuel economy and not much resistance.

As to the wheel balance and alignment, if you are having to consistently fight the steerage, I would write it up and have maint. check the balance of the steers and check a full alignment (3 axle).
As to road conditions, youll have the "grooves" that will try pulling the wheels to either side of the lane. just dont counter the action so much as to over correct and cause more problems associated with such reactions.

remember this too... ever action that the truck does there is a proper reaction to counter what it happening. to much reaction and rollovers occur or really nasty wrecks happen, which in turn will cause you to lose your job for life and the pain of knowing there couldve been a different outcome.

just my 2c from experience

**vinsanity** · 07.05.2012

One thing not mentioned is your grip on the steering wheel. First, relax the grip. Second, even though you are using both hands, only use one as the dominant hand. The other hand should be looser, there if you need it. What can happen with a tight grip with both hands is your hands will be fighting each other. That will make it seem like you are fighting to keep the truck straight.

**Spokester** · 07.05.2012

Are you driving a Pro Star? I had one for a few months, recently got a Cascadia. Huge difference in line holding, especially empty. I didn't realize how bad the Pro Star was until I drove this for the first time empty; not even funny how wiggly that thing was. Sure wouldn't wanna pull triples with it, especially light! When it was heavy (most of the time) it was fine, but after a few weeks in the Cascadia, I don't miss it. Plus, it doesn't feel like I'm gonna tip over on every corner...

**localtrucker** · 07.06.2012

Originally Posted by road_runner

Bit of a stupid question, but I figured I would ask anyway. When I drive at highway speeds (usually between 55 and 64 mph), my trucks steering feels like it is doing its own thing. Maybe it is just the ruts/tire trails on the asphalt road, but I will feel the truck pulling to one side or another. The steering wheel will also pull away into the direction of the drift. When I drive, I keep both hands on the wheel, and I sometimes clench the wheel really hard to keep control of the truck and keep it straight. I know I am all over the place, cause when I pull triples or Rocky doubles, I can see my trailers snaking in the back. My big question is: does this happen to anyone else? Am I gripping the wheel wrong? Am I driving too fast? Is it the poor quality of roads? Or is it just poor driving practice on my part? Most importantly, how should I counter this problem?

I bet you have one of them trucks that have air ride suspenion in the front...we had a volvo that had that and you have to hang on to the wheel and pay attention to the road more.