Do a pre-trip!!!

There isn't enough time to check your tire pressures with a gauge during every fuel stop. Once every few days is fine. I really like those automatic tire inflation systems new trailers have. It's a God send.

 

A pre-trip is a different issue to getting a ticket for being overweight. Of course you should check your weight/axles etc. Even when I've just been loaded I will go to a CAT scale and check the weight. regardless.
But doing a pre trip is vital too. You can get caught out anytime if you don't pay attention.

 

What was the tire pressure the past week? That is really low where the eye can see even if it was 80 psi. If it wasn't that way yesterday then it will be that way tomorrow and you need to find the leak. If the tire has a nail in it you need to get it replaced on the steers. Those two tires you don't mess around with.

Besides the safety part you are paid to do a service to the customer and to your company. Part of doing a good job is getting the best fuel mileage possible and taking care of the equipment. To get the best fuel mileage possible your tires have to be inflated properly. I'm not saying you but too many have poor work ethics. Ah I'm here, you owe me money. It's not my equipment type deal. Being there is only half of being a good employee.

When you fuel you need to keep an eye on your fueling. Between checking your fluids and cleaning the windshield you don't need to over do it where you are distracted and the fuel hose fell on the ground. The one's in line tend to get mad when you are doing a detailed inspection at the fuel island. Do that stuff when you are parked and out of the way.

The little stuff is easy to forget at first. It's all about habits. You're at the point you learn good habits or bad habits. When you do them so much they become second nature. Your job goes much smoother learning good habits. It might seem a hassle at first but with repetitiveness it ain't nothing but a thang!

 

Every time I get a new trailer I have to check the tire pressure. Nearly every time there has been at least one tire at 50 psi or below. A lot of times it is several of the tires.

 

I ALWAYS do a pre trip. Of course, I believe that when you buy or get assigned a truck, that everything from that point on is the same trip.

 

Even on cdl training.

 

Can I get a radio check ?

 

Comin' in broken up driver....

 

A tire that low on a steer would be noticeable, your truck would pull that direction, not to mention it would look flat. Here is where we have the difference in the pre vs post trip. If you do a extensive post trip, then you have time 10 hours of it to get things fixed, if you wait to find stuff during your pretrip then you have to get them fixed while your 14 hour clock is running. Tires are as important as fuel when I am on a reset or hanging around waiting for some shipper to get his act together well I have time to check tire pressures and do a quick grease job on the truck. Time management is one of the best things a new driver can learn.