Vehicle inspections help to catch potential problems before they occur. Conduct a walk-around inspection before you head out on the road and again during periodic rest and meal stops.
The following inspection procedure for tractor/trailers was developed by the Federal Department of Transportation.
1. Left side of cab
Note general condition of left front wheel
* Condition of wheel and rim: especially cracks, rim bent, broken or missing studs, clamps, lugs
* Condition of tires: Properly inflated; valve stem not touch wheel, rim or brake drum; valve cap in place; no9 serious cuts, bulges, tread wear, or any signs of misalignment.
*Wheel bearing and hub: No leaking.
Left front suspension
*Condition of springs, spring hangers, shackles
*U-bolts; No cracks, breaks, or shifting
* Condition of shock absorber
Left front brake
*Condition of brake drum and hoses
* Check air chamber mounting
* Check slack adjusters
Mirrors and b rackets secure and undamaged.
2. Front of cab
Condition of front 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 spring tension
*Check wiper blades for any damage, “dead” rubber, and securement to arm
Lights and Reflectors
*Cab parking, clearance, and identification lights: Clean, operating, and proper color
*Reflectors should be clean and proper color
*Right front turn signal light should be clean, operating, and proper color
3. Right side of cab
Check all items as done on left side
4. Right fuel tank area
Right fuel tank(s)
*Securely mounted, no damaged or leaking
*Fuel crossover line secure
*Tank(s) full of fuel
*Cap(s) on and secure
Condition of visible parts
*Rear of engine: Not leaking
*Transmission: Not leaking
*Drive shaft: Looks OK
*Exhaust system: Secure, not leaking, and not touching wires, fuel or air lines
*Frame and cross members: No bends, cracks, or breaks.
*Air lines and electrical wire: Secured against snagging and chafing
5. Trailer front
Air and electrical connections
*Glad hands: Properly mounted , free of damage, and not leaking
*Electrical line receptacle: Properly mounted, free of damage, plug adequately sealed, and safety catch engaged to prevent accidental disconnect
*Air and electrical lines should be properly secured against tangling, snagging, and chafing, with sufficient slack for turns
6. Right rear tractor wheels area
Dual Wheels
*Condition of wheels and rims: No cracks, bent rims, brocks or missing spacers, studs, clamps, or lugs
*Condition of tires: Properly inflated; valve stems not touch wheels, rims, or brake drums; valve caps in place; no serious cut, bulges, tread wear, or any signs of misalignment, and no debris stuck between them
*Tires: All same type; do not mix radial and bias types on the same axle
*Tires: Evenly matched in circumference
*Wheel bearing and hub: No leaking
Tandem Axles
*Repeat wheel/tire inspection as above
Suspension
*Condition of spring(s), spring hangers, shackles, and U-bolts
*Condition of torque rod arms and bushings
*Condition of shock absorber(s)
*Axle alignment
Brakes
*Condition of brake drum(s)
*Condition of hoses: Look for any chafing
*Check slack adjusters
*Check air chamber mounting
*Check springs brakes
7. Rear of tractor
Frame and cross members: Not bent, cracked, or otherwise damaged or missing
Lights and reflectors: Tail lights and turn signal lights - operating, clean, and proper color
Air and electrical lines: Properly secured to frame, not damaged or chafing
Splash guards: Present (if needed), not damaged, properly fastened, not dragging on ground or rubbing tires
8. Coupling System
Fifth wheel (lower)
*Securely mounted to frame
*No missing or damaged parts
*No visible space between upper and lower fifth wheel
*Locking jaws: Around the shank and NOT the head of kingpin
*Release lever: Properly seated and safety latch/lock engaged
Fifth wheel (upper)
*Kingpin not worn, bent or damaged (if visible)
*Sliding fifth wheel
*Mechanism not worn, bent damaged: no parts missing
*Properly lubricated
*All locking pins present and locked in place
If air operated: No air leaks. Be sure to check that the fifth wheel is not so far forward that the tractor frame will strike landing gear during turns
Air and electric lines visible from this point:
*Should be secure from dangling, snagging, and chafing
*Should be free from damages, oil, grease
9. Right side of trailer
Front trailer support (landing gear or dollies)
*Fully raised, no missing parts, not bent or otherwise damaged
*Crank handle: Present and secured (typically on left side)
*If powe4r operated: No air or hydraulic leaks
Spare tire(s)
*Carrier or rack: Not damaged
*Tire and/or wheel: Securely mounted in rack
*Tire and wheel condition: Adequate for a spare (proper size and properly inflated)
Lights and Reflectors
*Trailer side clearance and marker lights: Clean, operating, and proper color
*Reflectors and reflective stripes: Clean and proper color
Frame and Body
*Frame and cross members: Not bent, cracked, damaged, or missing
*Body parts: Not damaged or missing
*Proper placarding
10. Right rear trailer wheels area
Dual wheels
*Condition of wheels and rims: No cracks, bent rims, broken or missing spacers, studs, clamps, or lugs
*Condition of tires: Properly inflated; valve stems not touching wheels, rims, or brake drum; valve caps in place; no serious cuts, bulges, tread wear, or any signs of misalignment , and no debris stuck between them
*Tires: All same type; do not mis radial and bias types on same axle
*Tires: Evenly matched in circumference
*Wheel bearing and hub: No leaking.
Tandem axles
*Repeat wheel and tire inspection as above
*If equipped with sliding axles: Check position and alignment; look for damaged, worn, or missing parts; all locks present, fully in place and locked against fallout
*Flexible air lines: Not cracked, cut, crimped, or otherwise damaged; secured against tangling, dragging, chafing
Suspension
*Condition of spring(s), spring hangers, shackles and U-bolts
*Axle alignment
*Condition of torque and rod arms, bushings
Brakes
*Condition of brake drum(s)
*Condition of hoses, lines, and valves
*Check slack adjusters
*Check sir chamber mounting
*Check spring brakes ( so equipped)
*Drain moisture from air tank; close petcock
11. Rear of trailer
Lights and Reflectors
*Rear clearance and identification lights: Clean, operating, proper color
*Reflectors and reflective stripes: Clean and proper color
*Tail lights: Clean, operating, proper color
Cargo securement
*Cargo: Properly blocked, braced, tied, chained, etc.
*Tailboard: Up and properly secured
*End gates: Free of damage: properly secured in stake pockets
*Canvas or 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.
*Underride guard in place: Not cracked, bent, or broken
12. Required for double and triple trailer rigs
Check these items if you are checking a double or triple combination
Shut-off valves (at rear of trailers): In service and emergency lines
*Rear of front trailer OPEN
*Rear of last trailer CLOSED
*Converter dolly air tank drain valve CLOSED
Be sure air lines are supported and glad hands are properly connected
If spare tire is carried on converter gear (dolly): Make sure it is secured
Be sure pintle-eye of dolly is in place in pintle hook of trailer(s)
Make sure:
*Pintle hook is latched
*Safety chains are secured to trailer(s)
*Light cords are firmly in sockets on trailer(s)
This check should be repeated for each converter dolly in the rig. Remember to check each trailer if you are checking doubles or triples
13. Left rear trailer wheels area
Check all items as done on right side except for air tank draining
14. Lect side of trailer
Check all items as done on right side
Also check any traffic side doors
15. Left rear tractor wheels area
Check all items as done on right side
16. Left fuel tank area
Check all items as done on right fuel tank area except for spare tire
Also check the following
*Battery (if not mounted elsewhere)
*Battery box: Securely mounted to vehicle, has secure cover
*Batteries: Secured against movement
*Battery cases: Not broken or leaking
Non-maintenance free batteries
*Fluid in batteries at proper level
*Cell caps: Present and securely tightened
*Vents in cell caps: Free of foreign material
17. Inspect inside the cab
Get in the cab
*Make sure parking brake is on and gearshift in neutral (or “park” where applicable)
*Start engine: Listen for unusual noises
Look at the gauges
*Oil pressure: Should come up to normal seconds after engine is started
*Ammeter and/or voltmeter: Should be in normal range(s)
*Coolant temperature: Should begin gradual rise to normal operating range
Warning Lights and buzzers: Oil, coolant, charging circuit warning lights should go out right away
18. Controls, mirrors, windshield, and emergency equipment
Check all the following for looseness, sticking, damage, or improper setting: Steering wheels, clutch, accelerator (gas pedal), and brake controls - foot brake, trailer brake (if vehicle has one), parking brake, and retarder controls (if vehicle has them)
Check the following
*Parking and service brake stopping action
*Leaks (if vehicle has hydraulic brakes)
*Transmission controls
*Interaxle differential lock (if vehicle has one)
*Horns(s)
*Windshield wiper/washer
*Lights: Headlights, dimmer switch, turn signal, 4-way flashers; and clearance, identification, and marker light switches
*Mirror and windshield: Inspect for cracks, dirt, illegal stickers, or other line of sight obstructions
Check emergency equipment
*Safety: Spare electrical fuses (unless vehicle has circuit breakers), three red reflective triangles, and properly charged and rated fire extinguisher
*Optional: Tire chains (where required by winter conditions), tire changing equipment, list of emergency phone numbers, and accident reporting kit
19. Combination vehicle air brakes
Test
*Tractor protection valve
*Trailer emergency, parking, and service brakes
Check
*Air flow to all trailers (double and triples)
*Manual slack adjuster on S-Cam brakes; adjust
*Automatic slack adjusters
*Air compressor drive belt (if so equipped)
*ABS warning light
*Adequate air pressure
