Help, I accidentally drove 125 miles with inter axel and diff locked!!

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Tylerdurden, Mar 11, 2019.

  1. Tylerdurden

    Tylerdurden Bobtail Member

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    I was driving a tandem Kenworth tank truck, unloaded (Early to mid 2000's I believe) and got stuck in a snow filled yard. I had to lock up the inter axel as well as both diff's to get unstuck once and then carried on working there outside the truck for a few hours before driving home. It wasn't until I got all the way home (About 125 miles, 10% grid and 90% highway) before I realized they were still locked.

    There was no light on the dash or any other warnings. I didn't notice any issues when trying to steer, but I only had to make a couple 90 degree turns during the drive. Now I'm concerned with what kind of damage I may have done. The tires on both axels are all the same make and put on new together.

    I accept the fact that there was unnessary wear on the tires and drive train, but if everything seems to be fine now and I didn't snap anything, does that mean I should be in the clear as far as a catastrophic breakdown/failure? Do I have to be concerned with stored kinetic energy or anything before operating the truck again?

    Fingers crossed, Thanks for any and all insight
     
    tscottme Thanks this.
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  3. Powder Joints

    Powder Joints Subjective Prognosticator

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    Don't make a habit of it, but on the other don't lose any sleep either. Not a great idea, but I doubt seriously if the truck is hurt at all.
     
  4. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    If its not making noise or vibrating and its not your truck I'd just keep it to myself. Chalk it up as a lesson learned. What's done is done (and likely nothing bad was done).
     
    Lepton1 Thanks this.
  5. Tylerdurden

    Tylerdurden Bobtail Member

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    This is exactly what I was hoping to hear. I pride myself on treating any truck I drive as if it's my own, so I found myself dwelling on this maybe a little more than I should have. I'm taking the truck out to the same location tomorrow, so fingers crossed. I'll be sure to pay very close attention to what I hear and feel tomorrow
     
    cybill234, NavigatorWife and Lepton1 Thank this.
  6. Tylerdurden

    Tylerdurden Bobtail Member

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  7. gokiddogo

    gokiddogo Road Train Member

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    I've heard once you get unstuck, after you unlock them, to allow the truck to roll backwards for just a small bit, to ensure the lockers have released. I unlock mine as soon as I can move it forward with some momentum. I've made the same mistake before, my truck now throws up a persistent message when they're locked in so you won't forget. Don't sweat it.
     
    NavigatorWife and okiedokie Thank this.
  8. KB3MMX

    KB3MMX Road Train Member

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    I doubt you heard anything you can drive with them locked in but generally it should be on slick roads.

    The only time you'll really get issues is dry pavement and making turns it will want to go straight with the axles locked.

    The locked power divider is even less of an issue....

    Big big thing though... never engage or disengage with it moving or spinning.
     
  9. gokiddogo

    gokiddogo Road Train Member

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    I thought you could engage as long as wheels are all same speed...?
    I don't have the stones to try it though. :/
    I disengage mine all the time after I get it moving..
     
    Lepton1 and KillingTime Thank this.
  10. Tylerdurden

    Tylerdurden Bobtail Member

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    I have never dared to engage anything unless I'm at a complete stop, though I did read today a number of people in other threads saying you can. I have always disengaged at a stop as well, just to be safe
     
  11. Gdog66223

    Gdog66223 Road Train Member

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