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Pre Trip Inspection

Steps are Numbered to Right

See  Below For Details for each Step

Click on a Step Number below to see the details

1  2  3  4  5  6   7   8  9  10  11  12  13  14  15

Click on the Step Number to go back to where you were

Step 1

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Left Side of Cab Area

Note general condition

Left Front Wheel

• Condition of wheel , especially cracks, rim missing, rim bent, or broken studs, clamps, lugs, 

• condition of tires - properly inflated; valve stem not touching wheel, rim or brake drum, valve cap in place; no serious cuts, bulges, tread wear or signs of misalignment

• wheel bearing and hub - no obvious leaking

Left front suspension

• condition of brake drum

• condition of hoses

• check air chamber mounting

• check slack adjusters

Step 2

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Front of cab Area & Engine Compartment

Condition of axle

Condition of Steering System

• No Loose, worn, bent, damaged or missing parts

Condition of Windshield

• Check for damage and clean if dirty

• check windshield wiper arms for proper tension

• Check wiper blades for any damage "dead" rubber and securement to arm

Lights and Reflectors

• Cab parking, clearance and identification lights should be clean, operating and proper color

• Reflectors clean and proper color

• Right front turn signal clean, operating and proper color

Engine Compartment

• Oil level

• Coolant Level

• Power Steering Fluid

• Water Pump

• Alternator

• Air Compressor

• Any Leaks

• Oil level

Step 3

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Lights and Reflectors

• Front trailer clearance and identification lights - should be clean, operating and proper color

• reflectors, clean and proper color

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Step 4

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Right Saddle Tank Area

Right Fuel Tanks

• Securely mounted not damaged or leaking

• Fuel crossover line secure

• Tanks full of Fuel

• Cap(s) on and secure

Step 5

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Trailer Frontal Area

Air and Electrical Connections

• Glad hands properly mounted

• Electrical line receptacle properly mounted, free of damage; plug adequately seated and safety catch engaged to prevent accidental disconnect

• air and electrical lines properly secured against tangling, snagging, chaffing and sufficient slack for turns.

Tandem Axel

• Condition of wheels and rims - no missing, bent or broken spacers, studs, clamps or lugs

• condition of tires - properly inflated; valve stem not touching wheel, rim or brake drum, valve cap in place; no serious cuts, bulges, tread wear or signs of misalignment

• tires same type, e.g., not mixed, radial and bias types

• Tires evenly matched (circumference)

• Wheel Bearing and hub - no obvious leaking

Suspension

• Condition of brake drum (s)

• Condition of hoses - look for any chafing

• Check slack adjusters

• Check air chamber mounting

• Check spring brakes

Condition of Visible Parts

• Rear of Engine - not leaking

• Transmission - not leaking

• Drive Shaft - looks OK

• Exhaust system - secure, not leaking, not touching wires, fuel or air lines

• Frame and cross members - no bends, cracks or breaks

• Air lines and electrical wiring - secured against snagging, chaffing

Step 6

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Right Rear tractor Wheel Area

Dual Wheels

• Condition of wheels and rims - no missing, bent or broken spacers, studs, clamps or lugs

• condition of tires - properly inflated; valve stem not touching wheel, rim or brake drum, valve cap in place; no serious cuts, bulges, tread wear or signs of misalignment

• tires same type, e.g., not mixed, radial and bias types

• Tires evenly matched (circumference)

• Wheel Bearing and hub - no obvious leaking

Step 7

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Rear Tractor Area

Frame and Cross Members not bent, cracked or otherwise damaged or missing Lights or Reflectors

• Tail Lights and Turn Signal lights operating, clean and proper color

Air and Electrical Lines properly secured to frame, not damaged or chafing

Step 8

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Coupling System

Step 11

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Rear of Trailer Area

Lights and Reflectors

• Rear clearance and identification lights clean, operating and proper color

• Reflectors clean and proper color

• Tail lights clean, operating and proper color

Cargo Securement

• Cargo properly blocked, braced, tied, chained, etc.

• Tail board up and properly secured

• End gates free of damage, properly secured in stake pockets

• Canvas tarp (if required) properly lashed down to prevent water damage, tearing, billowing or blockage of either the mirrors or the rear lights

• Rear doors securely closed, latched/locked; required security seals in place

• Underside guard in place - not cracked, bent or broken

Step 12

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Left Rear Trailer Wheels Area

Dual Wheels

• Condition of wheels and rims - no missing, bent or broken spacers, studs, clamps or lugs

• condition of tires - properly inflated; valve stem not touching wheel, rim or brake drum, valve cap in place; no serious cuts, bulges, tread wear or signs of misalignment

• tires same type, e.g., not mixed, radial and bias types

• Tires evenly matched (circumference)

• Wheel Bearing and hub - no obvious leaking

Tandem Axles

• Condition of wheels and rims - no missing, bent or broken spacers, studs, clamps or lugs

• condition of tires - properly inflated; valve stem not touching wheel, rim or brake drum, valve cap in place; no serious cuts, bulges, tread wear or signs of misalignment

• tires same type, e.g., not mixed, radial and bias types

• Tires evenly matched (circumference)

• Wheel Bearing and hub - no obvious leaking

Suspension

• Condition of Springs spring hangers, shackles and U bolts

• Axel  alignment

• Condition of Torque rod, arms and bushings

Brakes

• Condition of Brake Drums

• Condition of Hoses, lines and valves

• Check slack adjusters

• Check air chamber mounting

• Check spring Brakes (if so equipped)

Step 13

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Left Side of Trailer Area