So...took the rig for a little drive after I got 3x220AH batteries into the newly welded box, which is a little over 500lbs added to the driver's side. Alignment was a little off.Took it on a longer trip to CW for some warranty work (house door replaced) with my wife following, and she said it was leaning to the left enough for her to notice it. It also felt less stable like it was swerving a little, but it was very windy here in Colorado so that's not an uncommon feeling. The wind also could have made the lean worse but I suspect that was more due to the extra weight on one side.What are the considerations for this? Any danger? I plan to get the alignment fixed shortly, and if the lean is bad enough maybe I'll add a leaf to that suspension or something.I'm driving from CO to VA early next month so I don't really have time for significant work before I head out. If it's an issue, I'll just take a battery out to balance the weight until I get to VA.Thanks!

First off add air to the tires on that side in proportion to the extra weight they are carrying from the weight table for your tires. Also check that your outer dually tires do not have even a pound less air than the inners.JimCorrection. Add air to both sides in proportion to the heaviest load on either side to improve handling.

Ok - didn't think of that but it sounds pretty important! Thanks.

Many rigs are a little off - if it's way off then I would take it into shock/suspension shop - might be easy to fix.

If it was right even between axles, it is equivalent to adding 1000 pounds to the rig. If right over a single axle, it has the same impact on that axle as adding 2000 lbs. overall. At the least tire pressure adjustment is in order. Really you are supposed to air up all tires on the axle for the heavier load. I like to air the outsides on dualies a few pounds higher than the inside tires for stability (up to a 5 psi difference is still within Ford specs).Jim

HiTech wrote:First off add air to the tires on that side in proportion to the extra weight they are carrying from the weight table for your tires. Also check that your outer dually tires do not have even a pound less air than the inners.JimHow do you figure that adding air to the tire is going to correct, or even compensate for the chassis suspension leaning?Significantly different air pressures in tires on the same axle can cause excessive tire wear, steering/handling and ride problems.HiTech wrote:If it was right even between axles, it is equivalent to adding 1000 pounds to the rig. If right over a single axle, it has the same impact on that axle as adding 2000 lbs. overall.I thought I understood leverages and fulcrums, but the logic here escapes me.HiTech wrote:Really you are supposed to air up all tires on the axle for the heavier load. I like to air the outsides on dualies a few pounds higher than the inside tires for stability (up to a 5 psi difference is still within Ford specs).JimThis sounds like more voodoo logic and I'm really confused as to what "Ford Spec's" have to do with the subject.Can you quote the spec?

Batteries making my rig lean? | Good Sam Community

randallb
Explorer
Jun 10, 2013
Park it on level ground and measure to the frame rails at spots that are easily duplicated on each side. Measure front and rear. If it is with in 1" you are fine. If it is 1.5 to 2"s you might want to do something about it. Never spend money until you determine you actually have a problem.
Randy
GMT830
Explorer
Jun 09, 2013
MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
FIRESTONE individual fill overload bag spring assists on the rear. Been there done that dept :)

Sounds like the best fix to me......
Just_Jeff
Explorer
Jun 09, 2013
Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I'll make sure the tire pressure is good, and look into adding airbags. Do I only need them on the back? The batteries are just in front of the rear axle and I'm well under GAWR for the rear, and still pretty comfortably under it for the front.
64thunderbolt
Explorer II
Jun 09, 2013
I agree air bags with individual inflate option and adjust accorningly. On my F350 all the tires are maxed while towing. Anything less will cause more heating, uneven wear and be a hazard.
12thgenusa
Explorer
Jun 09, 2013
HiTech wrote:
Look at my 8:50 am post.

500 pounds over one end of one axle (say batteries right over the wheels) affects that corner the same way as 2000 lbs added to the center of gravity of the vehicle.

Jim

Well, I don't see an 8:50 am post, but your logic still escapes me. The basic law of statics says that the sum of forces equals zero. For example if I fill my FW tank that is at the very aft end of my trailer it weighs 500 lbs. At that location it subtracts approx. 100 lbs from the pin weight but adds those 100 lbs to the axle which now has to carry 600 lbs instead of just 500. Maybe you could explain further?
OnaQuest
Explorer
Jun 08, 2013
MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
Want to have some fun?
With the front wheels pointed EXACTLY straight ahead, measure from precise center of front axle to precise center of rear axle. Both sides.

LOL, some are so far out you can actually see the "dog tracking" effect.
OnaQuest
Explorer
Jun 08, 2013
PaulJ2 wrote:

I have had all this explained this way: Since most roads/highways have a slight "crown" for water drainage etc more of the load is carried by the inner dual tire. Therefore by increasing the air pressure by 4 lbs on the outer tire it increases it's diameter very slightly causing it to carry a more equal amount of the load.
This should equalize the tread scuffing in turns also.
Now this is all big rig stuff but I'm sure will apply to dualies also.

Paul, your theory might have more credibility if we always drove exactly in the center of the road (top of the crown), but it still has more believability than Hitech's stability claims.

In any case, Hitech seems to have successfully managed to shift attention from his defective weight distribution logic;)
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Jun 08, 2013
Want to have some fun?

With the front wheels pointed EXACTLY straight ahead, measure from precise center of front axle to precise center of rear axle. Both sides.
PaulJ2
Explorer
Jun 08, 2013
HiTech wrote:
You can get into recurring springs as well. Or just move a battery or some of the other loads.

But for movement in side loaded winds, ensuring the inner wheel is no higher in pressure than the outer is critical, and I don't think anyone who has put the pressure a few pounds higher on the outer dually has told me it did not help.

Jim

I have had all this explained this way: Since most roads/highways have a slight "crown" for water drainage etc more of the load is carried by the inner dual tire. Therefore by increasing the air pressure by 4 lbs on the outer tire it increases it's diameter very slightly causing it to carry a more equal amount of the load.
This should equalize the tread scuffing in turns also.
Now this is all big rig stuff but I'm sure will apply to dualies also.
HiTech
Explorer
Jun 08, 2013
You can get into recurring springs as well. Or just move a battery or some of the other loads.

But for movement in side loaded winds, ensuring the inner wheel is no higher in pressure than the outer is critical, and I don't think anyone who has put the pressure a few pounds higher on the outer dually has told me it did not help.

Jim

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