When it comes to heavy duty truck maintenance, oil changes and tire rotations tend to get all the attention. But there's one service that often flies under the radar, and it can have a major impact on your safety, your wallet, and the life of your vehicle: wheel alignment.

Whether you're hauling heavy loads, towing equipment, navigating rough roads, or just commuting day to day, keeping your truck properly aligned is one of the smartest things you can do as a fleet owner.

Wheel alignment refers to the adjustment of your truck's suspension system, the components that connect your vehicle to its wheels. It's not about the wheels or tires themselves, but rather the angles at which they make contact with the road. When those angles are off, even slightly, it can throw off the way your entire truck drives.

There are three main angles technicians measure and adjust during an alignment:

1. Camber: The inward or outward tilt of the tire when viewed from the front of the vehicle. Too much tilt in either direction causes uneven tire wear.
2. Toe: Whether the tires point inward or outward when viewed from above, similar to the way your feet point when you walk. Incorrect toe alignment is one of the most common causes of rapid tire wear.
3. Caster: The angle of the steering axis when viewed from the side of the vehicle. This affects steering stability and how well your truck tracks in a straight line.

Allegiance Truck Centers has alignment machines and expert technicians across our network and can adjust to your specific truck needs. Schedule Service today. 

1. Extends the Life of Your Tires
   Truck tires are one of the largest expenses in truck ownership. Misalignment causes uneven wear patterns that can cut your tire life dramatically short, meaning you're replacing expensive tires far sooner than you should be. Proper alignment ensures your tires wear evenly across the tread, getting you the most mileage out of every set.
2. Improve Fuel Efficiency
   When your wheels are out of alignment, your truck's engine has to work harder to push the vehicle forward against the resistance of misaligned tires. On a heavy duty truck that's already working hard to move itself, a payload, or a trailer, that added resistance adds up fast. Keeping your alignment in check is one of the easiest ways to save money at the pump over time.
3. Keep You Safe on the Road
   A misaligned truck can pull to one side, cause the steering wheel to vibrate, or make the vehicle feel unstable — particularly at highway speeds, when towing, or in emergency situations. On a heavy duty truck carrying thousands of pounds of payload or pulling a trailer, predictable and responsive handling isn't just a comfort issue, it's a safety issue.
4. Protect Your Suspension and Steering Components
   Every mile you drive on a misaligned truck puts extra stress on your shocks, struts, ball joints, tie rods, and other suspension parts. Heavy duty trucks already endure more stress than the average vehicle due to the loads they carry, misalignment compounds that wear significantly. Regular alignment checks help protect these components and prevent far more costly repairs down the road.
5. Enjoy A More Comfortable Ride
   A well-aligned truck simply drives better. You won't have to fight the steering wheel to keep it straight, and you'll notice less vibration and a smoother overall ride, whether you're on the highway, navigating city streets, or managing a long haul.

Because heavy duty trucks are put to work in ways that accelerate suspension wear, alignment should be checked more frequently than on a standard vehicle. As a general rule of thumb, you should have your alignment checked:

• Every 10,000–12,000 miles, or more frequently if you tow or haul regularly
• After hitting a large pothole, curb, or road hazard
• After any suspension or steering repairs
• At the start of a heavy towing season or new work cycle
• If you notice uneven tire wear, pulling to one side, or a crooked steering wheel

Wheel alignment is one of those services that's easy to put off because the effects of misalignment creep up gradually. But on a heavy duty truck, the stakes are higher- more expensive tires, heavier loads, and greater demands on your suspension mean that misalignment costs you more, faster. The good news is that an alignment is relatively quick, affordable, and can save you significantly more money in the long run by protecting your tires, suspension, and fuel economy. Schedule Service today.