Published on 11/9/2005

Terminology and detailed list of what to check on the Pre Trip Inspection.

Pre Trip Inspection

Many students worry unnecessarily about passing the Pre Trip. It does require studying and memorization, but it isn't as hard or as overwhelming as it may seem as you first look at the list of things to say.

The Pre Trip is extremely important, so try not to take the attitude that you are being forced to learn it for the sake of passing a CDL test.

The importance of the Pre Trip carries far beyond the plastic. Learning to spot potential equipment failures and problems ahead of time may save your life and someone else's - as well as extend the life of the equipment and/or save you a stay and/or a fine at the DOT scalehouse.

What To Say and How To Say It

Note: You will most likely not have to PreTrip both sides of the trailer for the DOT Exam. You may have to do so for your school, though. It is in this author's opinion that you cannot possibly be over prepared.

Your school may have a different way of teaching you to perform a Pre Trip. The following is intended for reference only.

1. OIL LEVEL - check and mention, in safe operating range
2. COOLANT LEVEL – check and mention. Observe sight glass if engine is hot. Remove radiator cap and observe level if cold.
3. POWER STEERING FLUID -- check and mention, above refill mark
4. WATER PUMP -- not leaking, belts are tight
5. AIR COMPRESSOR -- mounted & secure, not leaking, belts are tight or gear driven.
6. ALTERNATOR-- mounted and secure
7. ALTERNATOR WIRE connections are not frayed or loose.
8. BELTS – Secure, have proper tension, are not loose
9. WINDSHIELD WIPERS – Proper tension, making contact, blade condition is acceptable

TRACTOR (LEFT SIDE, AXLE ONE)

STEERING:
1. STEERING GEAR BOX - mounted & secure, not leaking, no missing bolts
2. STEERING LINKAGE - mounted & secure
3. TIE ROD- secure, not broken
4. COTTER PIN – not missing

FRONT SUSPENSION:
1. SPRINGS --not cracked or broken -- none missing
2. MOUNTS – secure, not broken, no missing parts or bolts
3. SHOCK -- mounted & secure, not leaking
4. U-BOLTS – secure, not broken

FRONT BRAKE
1. SLACK ADJUSTER (single chamber)– No more than one inch of free travel when pulled by hand, approx 90 degree angle to the pushrod when applied.
2. PINS – secure, not missing
3. BRAKE CHAMBER – secure, clamps (or bands) tight
4. HOSES / LINES -- not cracked, frayed or rubbing
5. DRUM - not cracked, no missing pieces
6. BRAKE LINING --not less than ¼ inch

FRONT WHEEL
1. RIM (INSIDE) -- not cracked, no non-factory welds
2. TIRE (INSIDE) -- no cuts or bulges; at least 4/32 inch tread
3. SEAL (INSIDE) -- not leaking
4. RIM (OUTSIDE) -- not cracked, no non-factory welds
5. TIRE (OUTSIDE) -- no cuts or bulges
6. TIRE – has proper inflation
7. HUB OIL SEAL (OUTSIDE) - not leaking
8. LUG NUTS – tight, none missing, no streaks extending

SIDE/UNDER VEHICLE (LEFT)

1. DOOR / MIRROR—mounted and secure, no broken or cracked glass
2. EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT - (F.E.T.)
        * Spare fuses if no circuit breakers
        * Extinguisher; mounted securely, properly rated and reading charge
        * 3 emergency triangles
3. FUEL TANK -- mounted secure, straps secure
4. FUEL CAP GASKETS – secure, not missing
5. FUEL LEAKS – none
6. FUEL LEVEL – Check and mention
7. DRIVE SHAFT – secure, no apparent damage
8. EXHAUST SYSTEM – mounted and secure, no leaks
9. FRAME -- not cracked, no welds, no bolts missing
10. BATTERY BOX—secure, not leaking

TRACTOR COUPLING AREA (LEFT)

1. AIR / ELECTRIC LINES / GLAD HANDS -- no cuts, leaks, seals not damaged, not rubbing
2. CAT WALK -- mounted and secure
3. QUARTER FENDER -- mounted and secure

LEFT SIDE, AXLE 2

SUSPENSION

1. SPRINGS -- not cracked or broken and none missing
2. AIR BAG (if applicable) -- inflated, no cuts, secure, not leaking
3. MOUNTS -- secure, not broken
4. U-BOLTS -- secure, not broken
5. RADIUS LEAF/ROD -- secure, not broken
6. STABILIZER (if applicable) -- mounted and secure
7. SHOCK (if applicable) – secure, not leaking

BRAKE
1. SLACK ADJUSTER:
Single Chamber: No more than one inch of free (Service) travel when pulled by hand, approx 90 degree angle to pushrod when applied. Double Chamber: Approximate 90 degree angle (Service & Park) to pushrod when applied
2. BRAKE CHAMBER -- secure, clamps (bands) tight
3. HOSES/LINES -- not cracked, frayed or rubbing
4. DRUM -- not cracked, no missing pieces
5. BRAKE LININGS -- not less than ¼ inch

WHEEL
1. RIM (INSIDE) -- not cracked, no non-factory welds
2. TIRE (INSIDE) -- no cuts or bulges, 2/32 tread depth
3. SEAL (INSIDE) -- not leaking
4. RIM (OUTSIDE) - not cracked, no non-factory welds
5. TIRE (OUTSIDE) - no cuts or bulges, 2/32 tread depth
6. TIRE --proper inflation
7. SEAL (OUTSIDE) - not leaking
8. LUG NUTS – tight, none missing, no streaks extending from lug nuts (steel wheel - rust streaks / aluminum wheel - black streaks)
9. SPACER -- no spacer with Disc type rims - only with spoke type rims; no foreign objects lodged between duals.
10. VALVE STEM/CAP -- straight with cap present

COUPLING:
1. FIFTH WHEEL SLIDE PLATFORM --not cracked, no welds, bolts not broken or missing
2. FIFTH WHEEL PLATE -- not cracked, no foreign objects
3. LOCKING JAWS -- (Bobtail) open, in released position
4. LOCKING JAWS -- (with trailer) closed, in locked position
5. RELEASE ARM – (Bobtail) out, in released position
6. RELEASE ARM – (with trailer) in, in locked position
7. SLIDING 5TH WHEEL LOCKING PINS -- locked in position
8. MOUNTING BOLTS -- secure, none missing

REPEAT: Suspension, Brake & Wheel For AXLE 3, LEFT SIDE

REAR OF TRACTOR

1. SPLASH GUARD – secure

REPEAT: SUSPENSION, BRAKE & WHEEL AXLE 3, RIGHT SIDE
REPEAT: COUPLING (except release arm) RIGHT SIDE
REPEAT: SUSPENSION, BRAKE & WHEEL AXLE 2, RIGHT SIDE
REPEAT: SIDE / UNDER VEHICLE RIGHT SIDE
REPEAT: FRONT SUSPENSION, BRAKE & WHEEL AXLE 1, RIGHT SIDE

INSIDE CAB

1.   CLUTCH PEDAL – 1 ½ to 2 inches of free travel
2.   STEERING PLAY – no more than 10 degrees - (2 inches on a 20 inch wheel)
3.   GAUGES:
          Oil Pressure – Normal operating range
          Water Temp -- Rising
          Air Pressure – Rising
          Ammeter/Voltmeter – in the green
4.   WINDSHIELD – Not broken, no cracks
5.   WINDSHIELD WIPERS -- operational
6.   LIGHTING INDICATORS -- functional
7.   HORN/S – at least one horn working
8.   HEATER/DEFROSTER—working
9.   MIRRORS – not broken, no cracks
10. GEARSHIFT – in neutral

TRAILER FRONT

1. AIR / ELECTRIC CONNECTIONS – secure, glad hand seals not damaged
2. HEADER BOARD -- secure, in good repair
3. KINGPIN/APRON-- not cracked, not worn

SIDE OF TRAILER (LEFT)

1. LANDING GEAR -- secure and in raised position
2. HANDLE LOCKED – secured
3. SPARE TIRE / SPARE TIRE RACK – secure (if applicable)
4. DOOR / TIES - secure
5. FRAME CROSS MEMBERS -- not bent, broken, or missing
6. AIR LINES / HOSES – secure, at least 18 inches off the ground
7. SLIDING TANDEM PIN/S -- pins are locked in
8. RELEASE ARM – secure, in locked position

REPEAT: SUSPENSION, BRAKE & WHEEL AXLE 4, LEFT SIDE
REPEAT: SUSPENSION, BRAKE & WHEEL AXLE 5, LEFT SIDE

REAR OF TRAILER

1. LICENSE PLATE -- present, clean, secured and current
2. BUMPER – ICC bumper mounted secure
3. DOORS and HINGES - locked and secure, not broken
4. LIGHTS clean and in proper working order
5. SPLASH GUARDS -- present

REPEAT: SUSPENSION, BRAKE & WHEEL AXLE 5, RIGHT SIDE
REPEAT: SUSPENSION, BRAKE & WHEEL AXLE 4, RIGHT SIDE
REPEAT: SIDE OF TRAILER (except handle) RIGHT SIDE

LIGHTS / REFLECTORS

Tractor & Trailer
Clearance
Headlights
Tail lights
Turn Signals
4 Way Flashers
Brake Lights
Reflectors

BRAKE CHECKS:

Hold Down
Pump Down
Tugs
·   Trailer spring
·   Tractor spring
·   Trailer Service
Tractor Service Roll Ahead