Tractor Trailer Pre shift Inspection

Tractor and Trailer Inspection
(step by step)
v Verify Park Dash Buttons On (pull out)
v Safety Equipment Check – Fire Extinguisher, Reflector Triangles (or flags), Traffic Cones.
v Chock drive axle tires.
v Open wet tank, (open one tank at a time, verifies check valves working) look for water and oil (indicates compressor wear).
v Open hood, start inspection, make sure all is secure, check fluid levels, power steering and washer, hose lines and electric wiring secure, hood cables, underhood wiring.
v If tank finished draining –
v Close wet tank, open primary tank – continue inspection – fan blades, fan belt tension, compressor (oil leaks) hoses, shock, frame (cracks and damage), front bumper secure, springs and ubolts, air line brake chamber, slack adjustment (one half to three quarters of an inch play), look at inside of tire – cracks or lumps, rim for cracks, thread depth tire wear (one eighth minimum), tire air pressure (tap with hammer – 90 to 95 psi.), outside of tire check for cracks or lumps, rims for cracks, all nuts on and tight, check hood top for cracks or damage.
v Close primary tank – confirm check valve, open secondary tank (start passenger side underhood inspection), check all is secure, cross brace, air filter (inside air filter), cable hood support, fan blades, alternator belt, turbo (cracks and or oil seepage), engine oil level, shock, frame, bumper secure, springs and ubolts, airline, brake chamber, slack adjustment, inside of tire and rim (cracks and lumps), thread depth tire wear and air pressure, outside of tire, rims, nuts, close and secure hood.
v Close secondary tank, open and check air suspension tank (look for water and oil - possible compressor damage), close valve.
v Start engine, Cab inspection, listening for unusual noises, check oil, temp, amp and air gauges, idle out to 900 rpms, check controls, put clearance lights on, head lights on low beams, 4 ways on, out of cab and check front lights while engine builds up air, back in cab, check air build up from 50 to 90 psi in 3 min or less, at 60 psi low air warning off, high beams on, four ways off, while air is building up check insurance papers, clutch play, shifter secure, floor area secure (nothing rolling around), Compressor unloads at Max psi 105 to 125, release park dash brakes, fan down brakes 20 psi (pump brake pedal rapidly), check for compressor to cut in, rebuild air, Stop engine, out of cab.
v Brake emergency red supply line, trailer dynamites, tractor protection system prevents total loss of truck air, reconnect supply line, (check all seals) disconnect service line set aside, back in cab, key on, release (push in) trailer park brake, (check neutral).
v Fan down (make brake application) noting where low air warning comes (above 60psi) on and where truck and trailer dynamite (20 to 45psi), *Always have clutch in to start, and neutral – start engine rebuild air, out of cab, reconnect service line and inspect lines – coveralls on – center of front of truck start circle inspection.
v Visually check air dam, windshield, clearance lights, check security of grill and bumper, license plate and decal (mention decal if a test), move to drivers side, mirror, fuel tank and cap, sleeper door, battery box, air tanks, mud flaps all secure, check trailer clearance light, check fifth wheel locking pin is in and plate is flat to trailer, check inside truck axle tires, truck frame and air suspension bags and mounting (cracks or damage), inside of tires (cracks and or lumps), tread depth and tire wear, air pressure, outside of tire, check hub oil levels (no oil leaks), check rear truck axle tires, *at this point check air if over 100psi release truck and trailer brakes, stop engine, right signal light on, out of truck, listen for Audible air leaks, (say it out loud if test).
v Under Truck – checking security of air dryer, drive train, truck frame, lines secure in frame, inside of tires, rims, air suspension bag and mounting, air lines, brake chamber, slack adjustment – both sides front and rear axle, drive train axle shaft, inside of tires, suspension, lines, brake chambers, slack adjusters,
v Out from under truck.
v At back of truck, check fifth wheel jaw closed, plate flat with trailer, no noticeable damage to trailer frame, truck frame secure, tail lights of truck, right signal working, license plate secure, shocks secure, mud flap, landing gear secure and handle stowed, struts no damage, out alongside of trailer, check trailer insurance paper storage compartment.
v Going along driver side of trailer, center trailer clearance light, spare tire rack secure (if spare is in rack it has to be chained in), check security along and under trailer.
v Under trailer to check brakes. Look for cracks or damage on frame, air tank secure, open drain (look for oil and water)close drain, check inside of tires (cracks or lumps), check rims, springs, ubolts (cracks or damage), air lines and brake chambers, check slack adjustment.
v Out from under trailer, inspect inside of tires (cracks and lumps), frame, springs and ubolts, between tires (rocks), tire wear tread depth, air pressure, outside of tires, rim, nuts, hub oil level (wipe under hubs with rag to check for oil leak)
v Back of trailer, (drivers side) clearance lights, taillights, mud flap secure, air tank, valve and airlines secure.
v Under back of trailer, check inside of tires, springs, ubolts, brake chambers, slack adjustment, out from under trailer.
v License plate and decal check, taillights and right side signal light working, bumper and mud flap secure.
v Passenger side, clearance lights, inspect inside of tires, frame, springs, ubolts, between tires (cracks, lumps or rocks), tread depth tire wear, air pressure, outside of tires, rims, nuts, hub oil level.
v Center clearance light; check under trailer, frame and airlines secure, landing gear secure.
v Rear passenger side of truck, mud flap secure, inside of tires at truck axles (cracks, lumps), frame, springs, ubolts, between tires (rocks, cracks or lumps), tire tread depth wear, air pressure, outside of tires, rims, nuts, hub oil level.
v Trailer Inspection Certificate (say out load if on a test), clearance light check.
v Passenger side of truck, check frame, exhaust muffler, sleeper doors secure, fuel tank and cap secure, air dam and mirror secure.
v Check Truck Inspection Certificate valid and up to date (say out load to inspector if on a test).
v Front right signal light working, walk around to drivers side, put left signal light on, walk down length of trailer checking left signal light (taking coveralls off at same time).
v Brake light and four way flasher check (have inspector stand at back of truck if on a test), check hand brake lights, foot brake lights, and 4 way flashers.
v Full Brake Application Check (12 – 4 – 1) check air loss not more than 12psi on application and then air loss no more than 4psi over 1 minute.
v Start engine, apply dash brakes, and recover chocks from between wheels.
v Tug test trailer, release (push in) truck brake, idle ahead to see if trailer brakes hold (go easy, just feel it).
v Tug test truck, apply (pull out) truck brake, release (push in) trailer brake, idle ahead to feel truck holding.
v Release all brakes (push both in) apply hand brake and gently tug test.
v Roll ahead 20’ apply foot brake, stop. Apply brakes dash, check seat height adjustment, seat belts on, and adjust mirrors.
v Ready for the road.

v The Golden Rules of Driving
v Get the Big Picture (look well ahead)
v Keep Eyes Moving (in front, mirrors, gauges)
v Leave Yourself an OUT (make sure you have enough room to get out of way if an incident occur)
v Make Sure Your Seen (lights on at all times)