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Why you do Pre-trip inspections

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by 48Packard, Sep 17, 2013.

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  1. Sep 17, 2013 #1
    48Packard

    48Packard Ol' Two-stop Shag!

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    Old news to most, but I thought I'd relate the following as a casual reminder to those who feel pressured to "get there ASAP" or to "beat the clock on my elog":

    In the last month or so, I have discovered the following during my PTI:

    1. Flat drive tire. Slow leaker that wasn't evident when I shut down the night before. Was at a TA....they patched it and I was good to go.

    2. About two weeks later, a repeat, only this time the mate of the tire described in #1. Happened to be at a Love's this time. Patched it and good to go.

    3. This morning....getting ready to roll out after all other checks. Last thing I did was to pull ahead and pull the trolley valve. No trailer brakes. 42k in the box. Do a lap around the facility, and can readily tell I don't have all brake systems working...even at low speed, it's not stopping as it should. Really want to get this load off as this is my 49th day out, and I'm due to be on a plane in the morning to go on vacation. Glad I didn't hurry through this. ABS valve failed when I shut down last night, and I'm currently waiting for another one to be retrieved by the service guy. This delivery will be rescheduled, but I won't run over anyone in the process.

    Don't take anything for granted....especially when headed for home or vacation!:biggrin_25513:
     
    48Packard, Sep 17, 2013
    48Packard, Sep 17, 2013
    #1
    Tonythetruckerdude, JBinSD, HCKYMM98 and 13 others Thank this.
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  3. Sep 17, 2013 #2
    Casual Trucker

    Casual Trucker Medium Load Member

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    YUp..yUP..YuP...cheaper to find it your self & fix it than have the inspector fine you & then fix it
     
    Casual Trucker, Sep 17, 2013
    Casual Trucker, Sep 17, 2013
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  4. Sep 17, 2013 #3
    macmoran

    macmoran Bobtail Member

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    Good post! Can't over-emphasize the importance of the Pre & Post-Trip. Only been at this 2nd career a short while, but the "P Principle" is evident in everything -- Preparation is the key.
     
    macmoran, Sep 17, 2013
    macmoran, Sep 17, 2013
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  5. Sep 17, 2013 #4
    pattyj

    pattyj Road Train Member

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    Most the locals at my company don't pretrip.They figure that's done when the shop does a pm and they know their trk it doesn't need a pretrip.I always pretrip.Other drivers use the same trk.A month ago I found a cracked leafspring.Funny the other drivers didn't notice it,oh that's right they don't know how to pretrip.Silly me I forgot.That was a trk I have only drove a couple times because my trk was in the shop.
     
    pattyj, Sep 17, 2013
    pattyj, Sep 17, 2013
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  7. Sep 17, 2013 #5
    pattyj

    pattyj Road Train Member

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    you actually do a post?I very rarely see drivers doing a post trip.
     
    pattyj, Sep 17, 2013
    pattyj, Sep 17, 2013
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    mje Thanks this.
  8. Sep 17, 2013 #6
    macmoran

    macmoran Bobtail Member

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    Oct 9, 2012
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    Yep, not a big deal of one, but I want Proud Mary tucked in proper for the night!
     
    macmoran, Sep 17, 2013
    macmoran, Sep 17, 2013
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  9. Sep 17, 2013 #7
    coastie

    coastie Road Train Member

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    I always did an inspection when I stop even if it to relieve my self for 10 min I walked around and checked it out, may not been a down feely check but looked for things that looked different, Found most of my problems that way.
     
    coastie, Sep 17, 2013
    coastie, Sep 17, 2013
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  10. Sep 17, 2013 #8
    pattyj

    pattyj Road Train Member

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    I do too because I take my dog out anyway this is when im otr.I do walkarounds thruout the day but at the end I don't get under the hood and check because that's done in the morning and engine is hot.Im not going to wait a half hr for everything to cool down to check the fluids.
     
    pattyj, Sep 17, 2013
    pattyj, Sep 17, 2013
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    48Packard and mje Thank this.
  11. Sep 17, 2013 #9
    luvtotruck

    luvtotruck Road Train Member

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    Jul 30, 2013
    Phoenix Arizona
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    Nice Post, Thank You for reminding us why we are doing these things, I look all tires over each time I am out of the vehicle, I check most every other thing in the morning of my drive. Glad you found this as you wouldn't have been making many more Vacation dates had you not. Thanks Stay Safe Enjoy your Vacation when you finally get there!
     
    luvtotruck, Sep 17, 2013
    luvtotruck, Sep 17, 2013
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    48Packard and mje Thank this.
  12. Sep 17, 2013 #10
    Skippyjr

    Skippyjr Bobtail Member

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    Sep 12, 2013
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    just make it a "solids" check as long as you know what you have and haven't checked
     
    Skippyjr, Sep 17, 2013
    Skippyjr, Sep 17, 2013
    #10
    48Packard Thanks this.
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