Weirdest violation on DOT inspection

No...It runs along the rear axles and I believe, not positive, it connects the 2 braking systems to each other...You have to get on your back and crawl under tandems to see them...Our mechanic said it's not something a driver would check normally, maybe an OO would, and said it's a mechanics item...I still haven't crawled under a trailer to see them yet...

 

That is such crap. It's stuff like that, that is purley revenue. Whats next, hundred dollar fine for every rock found in the tires? Mudflaps behind the landing gear feet? Why is it so hard to only issue citations and OOS to the truly unsafe acts?

Personally, I like the one where the driver got the ticket for having the headlight not working when it worked a few minutes ago.

Actually, what amuses me are the f***stick dump truck drivers that proudly show off that sign when hauling an uncovered load of gravel.

I dunno, I'm assuming he's talking about the air lines underneath the truck that are one color on the outside and white on the inside? That's the only thing we've gotten placed out of service for.

 

Most plastic tubing I've seen is double dipped like he said. The majority are white inside and colored on the outside. Then a layer of dirt making it hard to see. He probably found a worn mark and seen a white mark the size of a toothpick head. He proceeded to have an orgasm. Loooook! But he did prevent a future lockup if you don't catch your air gauges going down and are too deaf to hear the 200 decibel alarm.

Actually walstib, all air lines are part of your pretrip. But in the real world I'll bend over/squat and look the best I can. I'm not laying on my back in a pissed soak parking lot where you can fry an egg on when the truck has so many warning systems. Some are tucked in the frame or on top of the axle and you can't get a 100% view. I've lost air three times over the years and have been able to safely get off the road. It's one of them things where someone behind a desk thinking meets the real world.

I got a level 1 at the San Diego scales and after the most thorough inspection I've seen I got written up for no brake lights on the trailer. I went out there and they worked fine. He said they weren't working when I checked. Yeah right. I got the feeling no one left there with a clean inspection.

 

That's one of Az DOT's little tricks to pull you over and just do a check. They like the 8 inch from ground rule on the mud flaps also.

 

I'm willing to bet in most cases....If you wear a target on your back....you're gonna get hit.....

I'm also willing to bet Dieselbear will agree with that sentiment.....

 

So, they have to be no more than eight inches from the the ground, exactly eight inches from the ground?

 

I heard it was 7".....But at 70 MPH.....That's splitting hairs for DOT is it not?

 

Hell, a lot of what they fine you or place you out of service for is splittin hairs. I mean really, is it necessary to issue a fine for a few pebbles hitchin' a ride on the landing gear feet? What about Bubba- J comin on the highway after slingin mud from his jacked up chibby after impressin Etta- Mae out in the pasture? Seems to me like that would be more of a road hazard than a rock or two on the landing legs......

 

Yes Az has state reg that mud flaps can not be more than 8 inchs from the ground at rest, so if you are going down the highway and they look short or are "sailing" than that will be the reason they can and offten will use to pull you over. That is why I have the holders and weights and mine are now about 1 1/2 inchs from the ground. Not that they will not find some other reason if they want they just will not use that excuse on me.

 

got put out of service and had to pay a mechanic 75 to take off my pitman arm and put it back on after dot said there was bubbles on it.3 trucks in a hr and a half with same problem at banning scale.got a ticket too but havent paid it yet