Best way to learn the pre-trip inspection?

The best way I can recommend is to find a truck mechanic who is good at teaching.

The way I used to train guys who were working to get their CDL was to introduce them to the truck, and instead of just rote memorization, I would teach them to know their truck, to form the habits of actually paying attention to it.

Each time you walk up to the truck, you should be checking for leaks underneath, looking at the windows and lights and mirrors, the condition of the grill /radiator, the tire, etc.

Then you just go through building a logical progression of steps checking everything on the "list", and anything else your particular truck needs.

And as said, do it the same way every time.

I say to learn it from a mechanic, so you know what you are actually looking for when you check a fan belt, or how to judge a good or bad steering linkage.
You don't have to learn how to fix it, but you should learn how to inspect it so you can understand the problem to some extent.

The asking drivers at a truck stop to walk you through it may be a good idea too, if you can find a driver that understands it.

If you have no way to get help, then take the manual provided by the folks who will be testing you (probably the DMV, though I have heard some schools do their own testing) and take it to a truck, and start practicing it exactly as they word it.

And remember, if you don't say it, you didn't do it!

 

Oh, and pay special attention to the Air Brake test portion of the PreTrip, that must be done perfectly or you fail.
Memorize it, and practice it as you memorized it

 

I found the following Youtube video to be very helpful. I watch it all the time, and when it was my turn in class to do the pretrip, I was told I did very well.... The guy who does this video has other video's and he has great technique and tricks to help you learn and remember important items.

 

If it is metal, touch it, name it and say "this is my *name of part here*, properly mounted and secure, with no cracks, dents or bends, no missing bolts"

If it is rubber or plastic, it is properly mounted and secure with no cuts, frays or bulges.

That alone will get you about 90% on your walk around.

 

One of the best tips given me by a friend, was to make sure I had my gloves on, because I needed to make sure I laid my hands on everything I am checking. That was 22-years ago.

 

Yup. Learn the sequence, learn the parts, then learn the terms. Missing, leaking, broken, cracked, not working are others you can add to the list.

 

When I get back to the hotel from class today, I will probably be typing it up again to help me with my test over the pretrip tomorrow and when/if I do that, I will post it here in this thread for you. You're still going to need to know what the items look like to touch them and point them out.

It also bears consideration, when you do your road test, you need to do exactly the same thing as the pretrip and commentate EVERYTHING you are doing. You are shifting into 5th gear, there's a 35mph speed limit sign, my trailer is tracking properly, there's a bridge with a 40 ton limit ahead, there is a border collie running loose in the yard to my right with a pink collar, checking my mirrors, etc... The whole time until they tell you to ####. That's 4 points at DPS here in Texas.

 

I'll 2nd this video. Its what the college recommended we use as a guide in our off time. I watched it several times a week while we were in the driving portion. A lot of it is repetition as others have said. Anything metal is missing, cracked, bent. Anything rubber is cuts, abrasions bulges. No air/oil leaks etc etc. Pay close attention to your in cab for the pump down of the air brakes. It can fail you if you don't do it properly. Also memorize the numbers. 1/4" brake material. 4/32 steer, 2/32 tread depth drives and trailer tires.... etc etc.

Like the video describes work in an orderly fashion, front to back/ inside to outside. and you'll never go wrong. I only missed one (air/electrical lines off the catwalk) when I tested out. Not bad for getting form ABC and the both mandatory In cab and coupling system for the test. Apex makes another good explanation video on shifting to when you get to that phase of driving.

It will pay off in the end. I've already caught a lot of things in pre tripping trailers doing local work learning load securement for flatbed. Usually lights, caught one strap hanging off the spare tire because it got cut. Caught 2 2inch straps wedged up where the shocks mount I was able to get one out told the shop about the other one. Caught a missing cotter key where the push rod and slack adjuster meet and the pin was wiggling its way out.