Proper Pre-Trip For Newbies

In a non test situation you can check you're back-up light by looking at the sideview mirror to see if it lit-up in reverse.Likewise the brake light are very visible in dim conditions when slight pressure is applied to the brake.

 

Looks good to be honest. I also make sure I'm not missing any cables for anything. My buddy calls me a yuppie because I like my GPS with PC Miler.

 

I'd like to know just how the hell we are actually supposed to check brake linings and drums without removing the wheels.

 

You have a switch (newer trucks), or lever to set your trailer breaks. Set trailer breaks and go out and look.

 

Hmm, on our practice trucks it was an act in frustration. Specially looking for a cracked drum. But my tester did get a kick outof me checking the gap in the duals for cats, making sure the blinker fluid was full, and making sure the flux capacitor was getting sufficient power from the reactor. Luckily the guy had a sense of humor.

 

for the drum--when brakes are released--give it hit with small hammer--just like a bell--if it is cracked--it wont ring

 

Poking around on the internet, I found this training manual for Michigan examiners. I'm not in MI and a lot of folks here may not be either, but starting at about page 11 it kinda gives you an idea of what an examiner will be watching when you are being tested::

http://michigan.gov/documents/sos/Examiner_Manual_-_Chapter_C_-_CDL_Testing_227611_7.pdf

 

with the coming of the CSA it looks to be that pre-trip should be the one thing of your job you do not want to cheat on and the dot just looking to give out violations who wants to keep giveing up money or even loose their job becouse of too many ponits you have accumilated not cool just check everything

 

Here's a question regarding inspections. When I was in the Army and did inspections on vehicles, or any piece of equipment for that matter, we have a technical manual that has a checklist of what part gets inspected and in what order. Why is it that truck drivers in the civilian world have to memorize the pre-trip inspection? Doesn't it make sense to have a checklist to go off of to make sure the driver doesn't miss anything?