How to Perform a Proper Pre-Trip Inspection on a Semi Truck and Trailer

A proper pre-trip inspection is not only crucial for passing your CDL road test but also an essential part of ensuring safety on the road. Performing a thorough inspection can prevent accidents, breakdowns, and costly repairs. Whether you’re preparing for your CDL test or starting a new truck driving job, knowing how to conduct a comprehensive pre-trip inspection is vital. This guide will walk you through the steps involved in inspecting both a semi truck and trailer.

Why a Pre-Trip Inspection is Important

  1. Safety: A thorough inspection can identify potential safety hazards before they cause an accident.
  2. Regulatory Compliance: Federal law requires commercial drivers to conduct pre-trip inspections to ensure the vehicle is in safe operating condition.
  3. Job Requirement: Employers often require a pre-trip inspection as part of their safety protocols, especially during new hire orientation.

Pre-Trip Inspection Steps

1. Approach and General Overview

  • Visual Inspection: As you approach the truck, look for any obvious issues like fluid leaks, flat tires, or damaged parts. Ensure the truck is parked on a level surface with the parking brake engaged.
  • Check Documentation: Verify that all necessary documents, such as the vehicle registration, insurance, and permits, are up to date.

2. Engine Compartment

  • Hood: Open the hood and secure it.
  • Fluids: Check engine oil, coolant, power steering fluid, and windshield washer fluid levels. Ensure they are at the correct levels and free of leaks.
  • Belts and Hoses: Inspect all belts and hoses for signs of wear, cracks, or fraying. Ensure they are properly tensioned.
  • Battery: Check the battery for corrosion on terminals, secure mounting, and adequate charge.
  • Air Compressor and Governor: Ensure the air compressor is securely mounted and not leaking. Check the governor for proper operation.

3. Front of the Truck

  • Lights and Reflectors: Ensure that all headlights, turn signals, and reflectors are clean, functional, and free of damage.
  • Windshield: Check the windshield for cracks, chips, or other damage that could obstruct your view.
  • Wipers: Test the windshield wipers for proper operation and inspect the blades for wear.

4. Driver’s Side of the Truck

  • Mirrors: Ensure that all mirrors are clean, properly adjusted, and securely mounted.
  • Fuel Tank: Inspect the fuel tank for leaks, secure mounting, and ensure the cap is tightly closed.
  • Door and Steps: Check the door for proper operation and that it latches securely. Ensure that steps are free of debris and in good condition.

5. Rear of the Truck

  • Exhaust System: Inspect the exhaust system for signs of leaks, rust, or damage. Ensure it is securely mounted.
  • Frame: Check the frame and cross members for cracks, bends, or rust.
  • Fifth Wheel: Ensure the fifth wheel is securely mounted, properly lubricated, and the locking jaws are fully engaged around the kingpin.

6. Wheels and Tires

  • Tire Pressure: Check tire pressure with a gauge and ensure it meets the manufacturer’s recommendations.
  • Tread Depth: Inspect tire tread depth to ensure it is within legal limits.
  • Rims: Look for cracks, bends, or damage on the rims. Ensure that all lug nuts are present and properly tightened.
  • Brakes: Inspect the brake drums, shoes, and linings for excessive wear or damage. Check for any signs of brake fluid leaks.

7. Trailer Inspection

  • Coupling System: Ensure the trailer is properly coupled to the tractor, with the kingpin securely locked into the fifth wheel.
  • Landing Gear: Check the landing gear for damage, proper operation, and that it is fully raised.
  • Lights and Reflectors: Inspect all trailer lights and reflectors for proper operation and cleanliness.
  • Doors and Hinges: Check the trailer doors for secure latching and that the hinges are in good condition.
  • Suspension: Inspect the suspension system, including leaf springs, hangers, and shock absorbers, for signs of wear, cracks, or damage.
  • Brakes: Verify that the trailer’s brakes are in good condition, with no signs of excessive wear or leaks.

8. Rear of the Trailer

  • Lights and Reflectors: Ensure all rear lights, including brake lights, turn signals, and reflectors, are clean and functional.
  • Bumper and ICC Bar: Inspect the rear bumper and ICC bar (rear impact guard) for damage and secure mounting.

9. In-Cab Inspection

  • Seat Belts: Ensure seat belts are in good condition and operate correctly.
  • Gauges: Start the engine and check all gauges, including oil pressure, temperature, air pressure, and fuel, for proper operation.
  • Horn: Test both the air horn and electric horn for proper operation.
  • Emergency Equipment: Verify that fire extinguishers, reflective triangles, and spare fuses are present and in good condition.
  • Steering: Check the steering wheel for excessive play (more than 2 inches) and ensure smooth operation.
  • Brakes: Test the service brakes, parking brake, and trailer brake for proper operation.

Conclusion

Performing a proper pre-trip inspection is a critical responsibility for every truck driver. It ensures your safety, the safety of others on the road, and compliance with legal requirements. Make this routine a habit before every trip to prevent accidents, save time, and avoid costly breakdowns. Remember, a thorough inspection can be the difference between a safe journey and a dangerous situation.

Additional Tips

  • Practice Regularly: If you’re preparing for your CDL road test, practice performing the inspection until you’re comfortable with all steps.
  • Use a Checklist: Keep a checklist with you to ensure you don’t miss any part of the inspection.
  • Report Issues: Immediately report any issues found during the inspection to your supervisor or maintenance department before hitting the road.

By following this guide, you’ll be well-prepared for your CDL road test and future trucking jobs, ensuring that you start each trip safely and legally compliant.

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Electric Chicken

Well-Known Member

26,664 messages 22,693 likes

Slap it and roll.

Reply 1 Like

Hillbilly Canuck

Well-Known Member

3,803 messages 4,669 likes

Then get halfway to Toronto or Hamilton realize you're low on fuel and mutter obscenities 😎

Reply 3 Likes

Rigjockey

In Gord we trust!

28,778 messages 29,472 likes

Even if you were IN Toronto, you are still halfway to Toronto.

Reply 1 Like

Hillbilly Canuck

Well-Known Member

3,803 messages 4,669 likes

Toronto runs from Ayr to Bowmanville as far as I'm concerned.

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Rigjockey

In Gord we trust!

28,778 messages 29,472 likes

Pretty much.
I used to work in Scarlem in the 90s and it would take me two hours to get home on the 401.

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Hammer166

Instigateur №166™

4,377 messages 7,450 likes

In the days before drop N hook prevalence, a good driver did a serious Pre-Trip when they swapped trailers, and then problems were often obvious by feel during operation. But in today's environment where swapping trailers happens multiple tumes per week, vs the monthly we used to do? Few drivers do thorough pretrips, and even fewer have the mechanical aptitude to do so efficiently.

So how do you do a thorough pretrip? Personally I think that mechanical aptitude is important. Someone who understands how something works will see problems long before someone who has the inspection routine from the book memorized. I know my equipment intimately, I've pulled the same trailer since it was new 3 years ago. Since I'm constantly walking around my equipment, changes jump out. My pretrip is an all day long, every day affair. And I promise, I'll notice something wrong long before some guy who's on his 5th trailer this week, no matter how careful his inspections might be.

Reply 3 Likes

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Electric Chicken

Well-Known Member

26,664 messages 22,693 likes

I can turn up to 10 trailers a day. I obsess over my truck. Trailers (chassis) are simple.

Is it legal? Yes. Is it safe? Yes.

Let's roll.

If no to either, bad order it and leave it. Move on to the next or go home.

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Mike

Well-Known Member

26,630 messages 21,082 likes

Very well said, and it's one of the things I love about pulling the same trailer all the time. Same truck, same trailer, I can typically feel something beginning to go bad before I would physically notice it. Small air leaks being a prime example.

Reply 1 Like

Uncle Birchy

Well-Known Member

9,470 messages 4,218 likes

I think in real life ya just check the oil and kick the tires..

On your CDL test that would take like almost an hour..

Afew years ago I made the Fuel Stop pre-trip

Not exactly regulation by the the book yet I bet ya dimes 2 doughnuts this is more than half all pretrip inspections on any given day.

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Uncle Birchy

Well-Known Member

9,470 messages 4,218 likes

once somebody told ya pee in the tanks thats heavier so the diesel comes up over it.

That was the day I also disconected my cb radio forever too

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Hillbilly Canuck

Well-Known Member

3,803 messages 4,669 likes

We have them. I haven't kept one on in years. It's trash like that in the states and mostly silence here.

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