Do you pre-trip?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by CK73, Mar 27, 2019.

  1. D.Tibbitt

    D.Tibbitt Road Train Member

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    Apr 26, 2013
    Gettin' down westbound
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    LOL oh boy i wouldnt want to be anywhere near the fuel island at a airport if some of these drivers were pilots
     
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  3. KB3MMX

    KB3MMX Road Train Member

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    Dec 29, 2014
    Orrstown, PA
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    I pretrip and post every day.

    Just doing the proper checks has saved so many breakdowns.

    Annoys the S outta me how lazy drivers are about checking their equipment... Especially when picking up a truck or trailer that the Lazy Piece of ** before me didn't look at and now I've gotta fix it.

    ... those are the moments I have little sympathy for the people that DOT Hang out to dry on an inspection. I bet they get annoyed by it too...
     
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  4. x1Heavy

    x1Heavy Road Train Member

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    Mar 5, 2016
    White County, Arkansas
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    Sure. That light is going to be fixed today. We don't have time for that. But we really don't have the money for that old DOT enforcer standing on the burned out light writing god knows what else.

    Get to stay in a truck long enough you get to know it really well. If a tiny thing is off or broken you know it. Then you go really all over that thing until you find it. Let me tell you that has saved me, the company and other people so many times it's unbelievable. The times I did not go over that rig when it's not feeling well has without fail led to a epic breakdown or some such seriously screwed up situation that costs a disgusting amount of money and sometimes hurt people.

    If you ever want a nice pretrip there is that nice DOT man willing to give you one. At a price. he he.
     
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  5. CrappieJunkie

    CrappieJunkie Wishin' I was fishin'

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    18,325
    Mar 9, 2014
    In a van down by the River.
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    I drive a yard truck and I pretrip.
     
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  6. Powder Joints

    Powder Joints Subjective Prognosticator

    7,162
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    Sep 25, 2007
    Rosamond, SoCal
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    I always without exception pre-trip my tractor and trailer, Always. Does not matter what someone else is doing, I'm not responsible for them or what they drive. I have had near fatal failures of equipment that I am the only operator of, December 2013, I had a steering output shaft on a steering box of a 2013 Freightliner at 93,000 miles, I had driven that tractor from day one, I picked it up from Freightliner Fresno new for the company II was driving for. I was the only driver. Does not change anything, You drive check it, period.
     
  7. passport220

    passport220 Road Train Member

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    Des Moines, IA
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    I start the truck and do a basic walk around. Really, don't make a special effort to walk around, do it going/coming back from truck stop for bathroom/coffee, etc when starting my day.

    I do a real inspection when I fuel. While the pumps are I lift the hood look it all over. More likely to find leaks, problems when the truck is at full operating temperature anyway.
     
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  8. Kshaw0960

    Kshaw0960 Road Train Member

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    Jun 17, 2018
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    If my truck stops for any reason, at minimum some kind of inspection is done. I’m sure there are days I check my tires 6 plus times. Being an owner operator on your own you have a lot to lose. Also post trip inspections are always thorough because ita better to find and fix problems when you are off for 10 hours versus right before you go to drive.
     
  9. buddyd157

    buddyd157 Road Train Member

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    May 25, 2017
    under a shade tree
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    i do my "usual" pre-trip which i take a few minutes, which to me is worth my time, and if i find a light out, i drive on over to Penske, and they take care of it right away. if i have a flat i call the boss right away.

    we have auto inflation on our trailers only, so i need to drop the trailer and again, go over to Penske to air up any drive or steer tires low, but i have them check it out for nails, whatever.

    i even do a post trip, again all of about 15 minutes, same deal, find problem, take care of it NOW..

    i even quickly check everything at each stop, never know when you're gonna pick up a nail, or a light bulb goes out.

    saturday is my last ever work day,,,,,,,,after that, the only "pre-trips" i will STILL CONTINUE to do....?

    my personal vehicle.....that's right, i check that out, before i leave my house.

    good habits, hardly die..........
     
  10. Biomagnum

    Biomagnum Light Load Member

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    Jun 7, 2013
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    I do it every day, pre and post trip. I also do a walk around and tire/load check every time I stop.
    It is better to catch things before they become big and it gives you peace of mind as you’re on your trip.
    This has saved me a lot of headaches!
     
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  11. Woodchuck88

    Woodchuck88 Medium Load Member

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    Jan 4, 2017
    New York
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    Lots of guys do them, just most of them won’t have anything fixed
     
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