Poor alignment can cause your truck to pull to one side. It can also lead to decreased gas mileage and rougher handling, particularly at highway speeds. 

1. Curbs and Potholes

One of the most common reasons for alignment problems is hitting curbs or potholes when driving. Although trucks are equipped with suspension and tires to handle small curbs or potholes, hitting them hard or fast at the wrong angle can destroy your alignment. If you notice pulling to one side after hitting a curb or pothole, it's time to schedule alignment services. 

2. Collisions

Minor collisions, particularly those that hit the front end of the car, will often knock the wheels out of alignment. Trucks in particular can suffer hidden alignment damage as smaller cars may not cause visible cosmetic damage in a minor impact, but only hidden alignment issues. The damage may be minor enough so that only a few alignment adjustments are necessary. More severe collisions may require frame adjustments or repair to axles and other wheel systems in order to fix the alignment. The only way to know for sure is to schedule an inspection. 

3. Tire Condition

Driving on old or poorly worn tires will affect your alignment over time. When tires wear unevenly, they do not make even contact with the road. This uneven contact puts stress on axles and other aspects of the wheel and suspension system. If caught early, the alignment problems may fix themselves when you put on new tires. If you postpone tire replacement, though, more severe damage that requires a full realignment service may occur.

4. Worn Bearings

Inside your wheels are bearings, which can eventually become worn and ineffectual. When this happens, the wheels will develop a tilt, which then puts wear and tear on the rest of the alignment and suspension system. The good news is that the bearings can be repacked and then the tires can be realigned to solve the problem.

5. Rough Roads

Many trucks are designed to handle rougher driving conditions than the average passenger car, but this doesn't mean there aren't repercussions for rougher surfaces. Just like hitting a curb, driving on rough roads increases the chances of your wheels being knocked out of alignment. The more frequently you drive on a rough road, the more likely you are to have alignment issues.

Contact a wheel alignment service if you notice your truck pulling to one side.