Every spring, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) hosts a International Roadcheck. Below is a cheat sheet provided by CVSA to help educate drivers who may ask the question "how do you inspect your truck?". For more information, go to https://www.cvsa.org/programs/international-roadcheck.
Check for missing, non-functioning, loose, contaminated or cracked parts on the brake system. Check for S-cam flipover. Be alert for audible leaks in air lines around brake components and lines. Check that slack adjusters are the same length (from center of S-cam to center of clevis pin) and the air chambers on each axle are the same size.
Ensure the air system maintains air pressure between 90-100 psi (620-690 kPa). Inspect for non-manufactured holes (e.g., rust holes, holes created by rubbing or friction, etc.) and broken springs in the spring brake housing section of the parking brake. Measure pushrod travel. Inspect required brake system warning devices, such as ABS malfunction lamp(s) and low air pressure warning devices. Inspect tractor protection system, including the bleedback system on the trailer. Ensure the breakaway system is operable on the trailer.
A pre-trip inspection should include a check of your truck fuel tanks for the following conditions: loose mounting, leaks, or other conditions; loose or missing caps; and signs of leaking fuel below the tanks. For exhaust systems, check the following: unsecured mounting, leaks beneath the cab, exhaust system components in contact with electrical wiring or brake lines and hoses, and excessive carbon deposits around seams and clamps.
Check the truck steering lash by first turning the steering wheel in one direction until the tires begin to pivot. Then, place a mark on the steering wheel at a fixed reference point and turn the wheel in the opposite direction until the tires again start to move. Mark the steering wheel at the same fixed reference point and measure the distance between the two marks. The amount of allowable lash varies with the diameter of the steering wheel.
Safety Devices - Full Trailers/Converter Dolly(s): Check the safety devices (chains/wire rope) for sufficient strength, missing components, improper repairs, and devices that are incapable of secure attachment. On the lower fifth wheel, check for unsecured mounting to the frame or any missing or damaged parts, or any visible space between the upper and lower fifth wheel plates. Verify that the locking jaws are around the shank and not the head of the kingpin, the release lever is seated properly, and the safety latch is engaged.
Check the upper fifth wheel for any damage to the weight bearing plate (and its supports), such as cracks or loose or missing bolts on the trailer. On the sliding fifth wheel, check for proper engagement of locking mechanism (teeth fully engaged on rail); also check for worn or missing parts. Ensure the position does not allow the tractor frame rails to contact the landing gear during turns. Check for damaged or missing fore and aft stops.
Inspect the truck for corrosion fatigue; cracked, loose, or missing cross members; cracks in frame; missing or defective body parts. Look at the condition of the hoses and check the suspension of air hoses on vehicles with sliding tandems.
On the frame and frame assembly, check for cracks, bends, sagging, loose fasteners, or any defect that may lead to the collapse of the frame; corrosion; fatigue; cracked or missing crossmembers; cracks in frame; missing or defective body parts. Inspect the axle(s).
For a pre-trip inspection of vans and open-top trailer bodies, look at the upper rail and check roof bows and side posts for buckling, cracks, or ineffective fasteners. On the lower rail, check for breaks accompanied by sagging floor, rail, or cross members; or broken with loose or missing fasteners at side post adjacent to the crack.
Inspect all required lamps for proper color, operation, mounting and visibility.
Make sure your truck is carrying a safe load. Check tail board security. Verify end gates are secured in stake pockets. Check both sides of the trailer to ensure cargo is protected from shifting or falling. Verify that rear doors are securely closed.
Where load is visible, the driver should check for proper blocking and bracing. It may be necessary to examine inside of trailer to ensure large objects are properly secured. Check cargo securement devices for proper number, size, and condition. Check tie down anchor points for deformation and cracking.
An inspection of the suspension should include checking for indications of misaligned, shifted, cracked or missing springs; loose shackles; missing bolts; unsecured spring hangers; and cracked or loose U-bolts. Also, check any unsecured axle positioning parts and for signs of axle misalignment. On the front axle, check for cracks, welds, and obvious misalignment.
No thorough pre-trip inspection is complete without a check of the tires for proper inflation, cuts, and bulges; regrooved tires on steering axle; tread wear and major tread groove depth. Inspect sidewalls for improper repairs, exposed fabric or cord, contact with any part of the vehicle, and tire markings excluding it from use on a steering axle. Inspect wheels and rims for cracks; unseated locking rings; and broken or missing lugs, studs, or clamps.
Check for rims that are cracked or bent, have loose or damaged lug nuts and elongated stud holes, have cracks across spokes or in the web area, and have evidence of slippage in the clamp areas. The inspection should include a check of the hubs for lubricant leaks; missing caps or plugs; misalignment and positioning; and damaged, worn, or missing parts.
The information in this article is provided as a courtesy of Great West Casualty Company and is part of the Value-Driven® Company program. Value-Driven Company was created to help educate and inform insureds so they can make better decisions, build a culture that values safety, and manage risk more effectively. To see what additional resources Great West Casualty Company can provide for its insureds, please contact your safety representative, or click below to find an agent.
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