Pre-trips are important to trucking safety and truck maintenance. Pre-trips should be done when you start your trip and at the beginning of each work day. By completing a pre-trip you can avoid unnecessary break downs on the road, which come with hefty tow and road side assistance fees. In today’s article we’re focusing on what to look for under the hood.
Begin your pre-trip as you approach your vehicle. Look for any obvious problems; fluid on the ground, any damage to body, a slight lean indicating a flat tire or suspension problem. Also check for the following:
- License plate – Secure, clean and up to date.
- Bumper – Secure, not broken.
- Grill – Secure, not cracked broken.
- Headlights – Secure, clean, and not cracked or broken.
- Steps – Secure, not cracked, bent or broken. No sign of excessive wear, free of oil, grease, and debris.
Under The Hood
- Oil – Ensure safe operating level.
- Oil fill tube – Secure, not bent or broken.
- Alternator – Secure and not broken.
- Water pump – Secure, not cracked or broken and not leaking.
- Radiator & radiator hoses – Secure, not cracked, broken or leaking.
- Antifreeze level – Check for safe operating level.
- Fan shroud – Secure, not cracked or broken.
- Fan blades – Secure, not cracked, bent or broken.
- Frame – Secure, not cracked, bent or broken.
- Water pump – Secure, not cracked, broken or leaking.
- Power steering reservoir – Secure, not cracked, broken or leaking.
- Air compressor and air lines – Check fluid is at proper level. Secure, not cracked, bent or broken and not leaking.
- Starter – Secure, not cracked or broken.
- Windshield washer – Check fluid is full. Secure, not cracked, broken or leaking.
Steering
- Steering wheel shaft – Secure, straight not broken. Check for excessive play.
- U-joints – Secure, not cracked or broken.
- Steering gear box – Secure, not cracked or broken.
- Spring hangers – Secure, not cracked, bent or broken.
- Springs – Secure, not cracked or broken.
- U-bolts and saddle – Secured not cracked or broken.
- Shocks – Secure, not cracked or broken.
Brakes
- Air lines – Secure to frame and brake chamber, not cracked or leaking.
- Push rod slack adjuster – Secure not cracked or broken.
- S-cam shaft to s-cam roller – No damage.
- Brake shoes – No visible signs of damage or cracks.
- Brake drum – No visible signs or damage, excessive wear or cracks.
Steer tires
- Tread depth no less than 4/32”.
- No separation cuts, cupping or bulging.
- Valve stem – Secure, not broken or leaking.
- Tire between 100 – 110 PSI.
Rims
- Rim – Not cracked or broken.
- Lug nuts – None missing or damaged.
- Hub – Not cracked, broken, or leaking.
