Causes of heavy truck overturning: the impact of overloading and misdistribution

Imagine a huge truck driving steadily on a highway. Suddenly, in one instant, the truck turns upside down, not because of a tire explosion or a collision, but only because of a load distribution error.

It may seem strange, but the reality is that thousands of accidents a year are mainly caused by excessive or unbalanced loads, especially in heavy trucks.

A truck overturning does not happen suddenly, but rather the result of a series of wrong decisions and negligent practices. In the world of heavy transport, a simple error in the distribution of cargo or ignoring weight limits can turn a huge vehicle into a moving bomb.

In this article, we'll reveal the real reasons for truck overturning and how to avoid these fatal mistakes. We'll focus on two main factors: overloading and misdistribution.

We will also explain to you how the danger begins, how it develops, and how you can avoid it with simple realistic solutions, starting with the loading method... and not ending at the tires.

Why are trucks more likely to roll over than regular vehicles?

From an engineering point of view, a truck differs from a small car in one key factor: the center of gravity. In a normal car, the center of gravity is low and close to the ground, giving it higher stability when cornering or braking.

In trucks, the center of gravity is higher due to the height of the vehicle and the size of the cargo. As a general rule, the higher the center of gravity, the higher the probability of tipping over with any sudden change in speed or direction.

According to a study issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), the probability of a vehicle overturning increases by 40% when the center of gravity is raised by only 25 cm, without any other change.

Reasons why large trucks roll over:

According to a report issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) in 2021, more than 78% of truck rollovers are directly related to either overloading, misdistribution, or inappropriate speed for road conditions. The report also indicated that trucks with a high center of gravity are the most likely to turn corners even at relatively low speeds.

There may be many factors that lead to large trucks overturning, but most serious accidents are linked to three main causes:

1. Overloading is a silent bomb:

Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for 2022 showed that 21.4% of truck overturning accidents were due to overloading only, even if the weight was exceeded by only 10-15%!

Overloading simply means exceeding the maximum weight allowed by the truck or trailer manufacturer. When a truck exceeds its permissible weight, it becomes like walking a tight rope: any slight deviation or sharp turn may completely lose its balance.

According to a study conducted by the U.S. National Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), overloading increases the likelihood of a truck overturning by up to 30% compared to trucks that comply with the legal weight.

Not only that, but overloading leads to:

1. The effectiveness of the brakes is poor, because the brakes are designed to carry a specific weight.
2. excessive pressure on the rear axle.
3. Increased tire wear, due to additional pressure on them.
4. Damage to the suspension system.
5. Excessive load on tires, leading to swelling or explosion.
6. Poor steering control, especially when cornering or avoiding surprises on the road.

Did you know? In Saudi Arabia, regulations state that exceeding the maximum weight allowed for trucks is a serious violation and exposes the driver to a fine and a significant legal risk.

2. Poor load distribution is the invisible danger:

The problem is not only the “quantity” of the cargo, but also the “method of distribution”. Even within the legal weight, a truck can tip over if the weight is loaded unbalanced. The cargo may not have exceeded the allowed weight, but if it is concentrated in one direction or very high above the fulcrum, the result will be catastrophic.

Examples of maldistribution:

• Load heavy goods in only one side of the box.
• Place the high weights on top rather than the floor.
• Leave spaces between payloads unfastened.

All of these things lead to an imbalance in the center of gravity, making the truck unstable, especially in the following cases:

• sharp turns.
• sudden stop.
• Sloped or mountainous roads.

A European study published in 2022 revealed that 60% of truck rollovers are related to poor distribution of cargo, not just its weight.

What is the result of poor distribution in the load?

• The truck's inclination in turns, even at medium speeds.
• Unexplained vibrations and concussions on the straight path.
• Unbalanced load on tires, increasing the risk of unilateral explosion.
• The risk of the cargo moving internally, especially when suddenly braking.

A report from Euro NCAP indicated that transporting a 6-ton load in an unbalanced manner can increase the risk of overturning by 62% compared to the same perfectly distributed cargo.

The impact of load on tires and balance:

Tires are not just wheels that rotate, they are the backbone that carries all this massive weight. When the load is overloaded or misdistributed, the first thing affected is the tire.

Therefore, the immediate risks to tires are:

• High indoor air pressure due to excess weight.
• Unbalanced wear, leading to sudden rupture or explosion.
• High tire temperature, especially in hot roads such as Gulf roads.

Risk indicators to watch out for while driving:

1. Constant vibration in the steering wheel despite the straight road.
2. A slight tilt appears in mirrors or when walking on a straight path.
3. Warning about the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) on one side but not the other.
4. The sound of friction in one of the wheels when cornering.

How to reduce the likelihood of tipping over in a truck?

1. Do not exceed the weight recorded in the driving license or vehicle manual.
2. Distribute the load horizontally while balancing the axes, and vertically as much as possible.
3. Use anchor bars and rails to prevent the load from moving.
4. Check tire pressure before and after loading, and make sure it is balanced.
5. Reduce speed, especially on wet roads or slopes.

Why do tires play a greater role than you think and are a stabilizing factor for the vehicle?

The tire is not just a contact surface, it is the first line of defense against rolling over, so:

• If the tire is damaged, swollen, or has low pressure, the risk of swaying and tipping increases.
• Low-quality tires that do not withstand the heat or pressure caused by overloading may be a cause of overturning.
• Even if the load is perfectly distributed, a poor tire can mess up the balance.

Why are trail tires the best choice for heavy duty trucks?

This is for many reasons, the most important of which are:

• It is designed with a reinforced internal structure to withstand weights that exceed 3 times the average without swelling or loss of pressure.
• Reinforced sides prevent cracking and dent under lateral pressure.
• Thoughtful patterns prevent slipping and improve grip even in tough conditions.
• Received the Saudi Quality Mark after passing endurance, balance and temperature tests.

In conclusion...

The overturning of a truck does not come from a vacuum, but from an excessive load, a bad distribution, or a miscalculation of small details. Therefore, every belt was not attached, every pressure was not checked, and every angle that was ignored may contribute to a disaster.

So... Be vigilant on every journey, review each load, and choose tires that withstand the road as well as you.

With your path... the account does not turn over, nor does the truck

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