Logging Pretrip

forget the law/rules, if nothing else I want to know there is oil in the engine so I can get home, ant I check my breaks, so I will be able to stop when I get there.
P.S. this usually takes me 1/2 hour on paper, but I haul a flatbed and I am always out around my truck/trailer and I keep a pretty close eye on it

 

OK... I did like you, l.o.l. I am a Log Manager, but I understand what you are saying there is many that help drivers run illegal etc. I know it's complicated for truck drivers all around o/op, company etc. it's very tough and very tempting to run illegal, but like you said it can bite the DRIVER in the ***, which is my biggest goal in life is teaching drivers how to run legal and still make money (meaning they learn the D.O.T. regulations in full, so they can make money and do it legal) so they don't end up losing their cdl or end up with bubba

I have a great understanding of what it's like and many things I feel so bad for drivers but the reality says here is what D.O.T. expects so you have to listen to me or take your chances, whichever you want it's the drivers call in the end.

 

Duplicated post....

 

There's more to a pre-trip than the lights and tires. Our trucks take at least 20 minutes but we have 8 axles. Besides if you're taking only 5 minutes then you're missing items. You've got to be at satisfied with all the required items and sometimes that requires more than just looking at them even on a new truck. We're non-union and the company wants us to take our time and make sure we are satisfied with the truck. However, we do drive super tankers that have more equipment on them than the normal truck but I still say you can not do a propewr inspection in 5 minutes.

 

At the risk of sounding really stupid I'm getting confused by what I'm reading in this post. I was taught by my driving school, my trainer and my company that a pre-trip was a quick check over and needed to be flagged. A post-trip was a complete vehicle inspection that needed to be logged and done at the end of a days driving. The way I read and understand the rule book that's the way it's supposed to be. But from what I'm reading on this thread 1/2 the people are doing it backwards OR they're doing two post trips each day, one before and one after they drive. My pre normally takes me between 5 and 10 minutes; my post takes anywhere from 15 to even 40 minutes depending on what's on my deck and how it's attached to the deck.
Can I pleeeez get a simple and straight clarification on this.

 

You have it right some-what. A pre-trip is to satisfy you the driver that the service brakes,parking brake,steering mechanism,lighting devices and refletors,tires,horn,windshield wipers,rear-view mirrors,coupling devices, and any accessories are in good working condition. That's the way it's written in the FMCSR's §392.7. Some people have a different meaning of what working condition is but myself I want to know my brakes are going to work 100% along with all the other stuff. I want to know that my tires have the right pressure and with 8 axles it takes around 30 mintues to do it right. My company uses the same form for both inspections with a column for each. But we have alot of accessories on a super tanker that is a truck and trailer. One thing to remember, if something goes wrong the very first thing the company is going to ask is if you inspected that item. If you're involved in an accident and there's a fatality you can bet there's going to be a few people look at your pre-trip and ask you what you did.

The one I remember the most happen a many years ago up in WA near Seattle. The truck was a gasoline truck and trailer and he was getting off the freeway. While he was slowing down the pintle hook broke and the trailer took off then flipped and broke open. Gasoline was spilled on the street below where he came to a stop. At the same time a young girl drove through the gas and it ignited burning her to death. The civil court case went on for a couple of years. The majority of the case was weather or not the driver did his pre-trip and if he inspected the pintle hook. Luckly, his company had the forms and it was standard practice to do the inspections before and after each shift. After all the time in court he finely went back to work. He was also lucky that he worked for a good company that stood behind him. So it's CYOA because in today's market I doubt many companies would take a stance to help the driver.

 

You are correct, pre trip is not as detailed as the post trip. As long as you have the same equipment from the previous work period. However, in order for this to apply, you would have had to complete a DVIR (Drivers Vehicle Inspection Report) with your post trip at the end of the last working period. With this completed, and in your hand, first thing in the morning (or the begin of next work period) a thumping of tires, checking lights and mirrors and windows...etc, etc, etc...also known as a "walk around".

However, without the DVIR, the beginning trip inspection should be handled as a complete post trip would.

Now, have I confused you thoroughly...if not I can go in many circles and get really confusing...I USED TO BE A TRAINER/MENTOR WITH SWIFT!

 

Re: without the DVIR

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regu.../fmcsrruletext.aspx?chunkKey=09016334800232b5

 

I was taught to do a thorough pretrip. This usually takes me at least 15-20 minutes. The reason being someone couldv'e messed with the truck during the night or while I was in the T/S for whatever reason. I usually do a walkaround and flag a post trip. I also do a quick walkaround when I do a pitstop. I have noticed many drivers don't check under the trailer. This can be bad because someone could've cut the airlines or messed with the trailer in some other way.

 

Or the idiot who thinks it's funny to pull the kingpin release when nobody is looking...if the driver doesn't look...off he goes without the trailer!

Yeah...real funny (**^%&^)^&%*!