Do you do a full Pre Trip everyday of driving?

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by hsingh_2, Dec 17, 2021.

  1. Val_Caldera

    Val_Caldera Road Train Member

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    Heard this at either Paschall Truck Lines or (possibly) Concord Logistics:
    "Kicking or Hitting The Tires/Tyres with a Hammer, Tire "stick/thumper" to Check Air Pressure is equal to Pounding on the Hood to Check Fluid Levels!!"

    Like others have stated:
    I did continuous Checks of Equipment During Tours.
    Always a Walk-Around even in Rain, Ice, Snow, Hot Summer, Night, Day.
    Always put Tension on King Pins before parking (even for a 15 minute in/out.) to Thwart those clowns.

    Unless I had a Creeper, I NEVER laid on Any Ground Anywhere checking Brake Assemblies. (Watching people do such made me glad to have been SOLO!)
    IF there were Problems with Equipment, "One Call Got It Covered" regardless the time!

    To Check if Brake Lights Work:
    Use a Tire (Tar) Thumper (but not those short "bats" like at t.a., pilot, other), just a decent something stuck inbetween the Seat & Brake Pedal, tgen get back of trailer and have a looksy. If no Brighter Lights, No Brake Lights.

    Sometimes Mud Flaps Go Awol during transit and they're no big deal to install, even in snowy, icy, and/or rainy weather.
    If'n Youse no have basic tools, well, gud luk!

    CHEER-E-OHS!!
     
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  3. silverspur

    silverspur Road Train Member

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    Waterman_99 and Chinatown Thank this.
  4. Snoopycda

    Snoopycda Medium Load Member

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    If you drive the same truck everyday, you could probably shortcut some items on the pre-trip.
    If somebody else has been in control of your truck, do not, especially if it is a mechanic.
    Any equipment that is new to you do not shortcut your pre-trip.
    Mostly, don't shortcut yourself into a violation or a worse case scenario.
     
  5. TripleSix

    TripleSix God of Roads

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    Older truck, 99 model. Owned it since 07. I do the same as you. Check the fluids and tires every day. Once a week, roll underneath and inspect and lube. Air lines, drums, driveshaft, center bearing, steering and pitman arm. It doesn’t take long when you do a regular schedule.
     
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  6. xsetra

    xsetra Road Train Member

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    My truck and trailer same equipment year round.
    Morning pretrip. Walk around, thump tires check the lights, look for fluid leaks under truck. Brake check with Johnie bar, listen for air leak. Close hood. Trailer tug test, head for the exit.
    End of day, check fluids, walk around check lights and look for stuff.
    Every 7-14 days, when I get home, check air with gauge, grease chassis and look at everything else.
    Adjust brakes daily before running mountains. Flat ground not as concerned, I adjust when I grease.
     
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  7. abyliks

    abyliks Road Train Member

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    Every Monday I roll the hood and check oil coolant and belts before leaving, turn on all lights, and hit tires with. A hammer, usually roll the hood one or two other days.

    full check once a month when I grease, about ~4000 miles., guage on tires, diffs, etc

    i also have card bored and plastic in the side box along with coveralls and a junk sweat shirt so if I have to go under the truck at the rare occasion I’m at a truck stop I can not roll out smelling like piss
     
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  8. drivingmissdaisy

    drivingmissdaisy Road Train Member

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    The number of people Ive seen at truck stops in the morning doing any kind of pre trip to their truck could be held up on one hand for years and years of driving.

    So no, nobody pretrips their trucks. Most don't even get out when they leave in the morning.

    This forum must have the most unique set of members as they are the ONLY ones in the trucking industry to pre trip their trucks every single morning. They're just NEVER parked at any truck stop I've been at. .
     
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  9. jason6541

    jason6541 Road Train Member

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    I don’t do a full blown pretrip everyday.
    I am however under my truck weekly and greasing every 3rd week.
    I own both truck and trailer.
    I do check fluids daily and thump tires daily and check air psi in tires 2 times a week.
    Sometimes Drivers May do like I do. If I am going to roll at 0 dark thirty. I check every thing over before going to bed. If there is a problem I have daylight and time to fix on my break. Get up check lights fifth wheel and thump tires and roll.
    Genera my post trips are more intense
    Than pretrip. Except tires always check them cold.

    also do a walk around every time you stop.
    Get in habit of shooting hubs and tires with a temp gun especially on hot days. Can catch a overheated hub, brake dragging or a over heated tire before it blows.
     
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  10. mustang190

    mustang190 Road Train Member

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    Those tires get hot. Gotta cool them down.
     
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  11. mustang190

    mustang190 Road Train Member

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    I know my tractor like the back of my hand. I still look it over everyday.
    The trailers on the other hand,,,,, they get a good going over. Sometimes I wonder how the previous driver didn’t get killed.
     
    meechyaboy, Pamela1990 and jason6541 Thank this.
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