Sup drivers,
I just have a general question regarding pre trips. I am not new to trucking but I will be sort of new to tractor trailer driving, and obviously on a tractor trailer, there are more things to check for safety.
At the moment, I do a pre trip everyday of driving, as in checking oil, tires, leaks, etc.
My goal is to make sure I learn all parts of the truck I will be driving.
I see a lot of guys who don't do their pre trips, usually they just kick the steers check the trailer doors and get rollin.
I want to actually make sure the equipment I drive is safe, especially on downgrades when loaded.
In terms of brakes, do you get down and check slacks every single day of driving or is that something to check every few days or so?
How do you do your pre trip? is it a full actual pre or just kick tires and go? Give me some tips on what to check for if I may be doing it wrong. All advice and tips are welcome and appreciated. Happy holidays
Do you do a full Pre Trip everyday of driving?
Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by hsingh_2, Dec 17, 2021.
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I call my pre trip a first pre trip, start in the morning with the basic walk around. If the truck has been sitting for a day or longer I do a more thorough inspection, during the daily drive each time I stop do some supplemental walk arounds with a slow pace. Just keep a constant check on things is easily realistic.
GYPSY65, homeskillet, noworrez and 1 other person Thank this. -
I just want to make a habit of actually doing a thorough inspection for critical items like brakes, steering, etc.TripleSix Thanks this. -
Check the lights and go most days.
Top fluids off and give a good "thorough" look once a week. Open the hood while fueling sometimes to peek at the belts and stuff to see if they are still on there.
But I always had newer equipment. Didn't really need to get out after starting the truck to see if an airbag inflated or whatever. If I had an older truck I would check it more but in my situation that would've been overkill....wouldn't hurt to do it still.
One thing I always checked though no matter what is if my kingpin was locked.
Keep doing your full pre trips. It is a great habit.MACK E-6, bentstrider83, TripleSix and 1 other person Thank this. -
I think as time goes on I actually learn the parts of the trucks, the pre trips won't take as long, it will be a repetitive thing which makes it more easier to look for things. -
You can do it incrementally. Example, when I stop for fuel I’ll generally check everything under the hood. Including bolts, fluids, slack adjuster on front and brakes etc. what’s the point of doing that at 3 AM in the morning when it’s pitch black dark and you’re in some urine filled truckstop? But I do check it daily….Now I will get out and check the tires every single time. I’ll look underneath. I’ll check the king pin, I’ll check the hoses lights and airbags and stuff like that.
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Here's how many drivers do the pre-trip:
ProfessionalNoticer, Wargames, Kyle G. and 8 others Thank this. -
Walk around at night. Full Monte in the AM. Auto slack adjusters so just an eyeball to make sure they are working. Always check the kingpin. Most drivers won't mess with your stuff, but there is always one jerk who thinks it is funny.
hsingh_2 Thanks this. -
Chinatown Thanks this. -
If you don’t at least open the hood and check oil & coolant levels everyday you suck at your job
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