my USXpress experience

I still can't believe I see drivers just pull their curtains open in the morning, dump their cup out the window, crank up the unit, let it warm for a few minutes, and GO! Never even get OUT of the truck, let alone kick the tires.

Unfortunately, I see this too often. (I like to get my coffee in the morning and enjoy it in the driver's seat before I head out).

 

Oh that's about all they get out of me is ground level reachable lights, headlights, wiper blades and reflectors (if the bolt isn't to rusted) I used to do brake adjustments on the old slack adjusters but that's about all I'll do in the repair department! Draining tanks as far as I'm concerned is a part of the PTI! Water in the brakes is not a good thing especially in the winter! Turning that pet #### isn't a biggie but take a pair of pliers as that thing probably hasn't been turned since the last service! Just be prepared for that spray of greasy water!

Road dust: If you don't understand the brake system get with a mechanic. He'll be glad to show you what to actually look at! Everything you need to check on the PTI is in view! You do not have to "look" at internal parts as mentioned way earlier! If a spring is broken in the air chamber that brake will let you know both during the inspection and when you try to pull the trailer and you see that tire dragging on the ground!

There is a device any driver can buy that is used for checking the travel on your push rods and can be bought through some of the truckers magazines and I think even at the big TA Iowa 80. It's made up of a plastic washer type of thing that goes on the push rod and you go back and slide it against the chamber and then go hit your brakes and you go back and there it is . You can see how far it travels and you'll know which brake either isn't working properly on a self-adjusting system or with a manual slack adjuster which ones need to be adjusted. But "back in the day" when all we had were manual adjustable adjusters Me and a lot of drivers just did all 4 at a time on the trailer and 6 on the tractor. That way we knew all 10 were adjusted the same and we also knew if one was having a problem!

Now Dust if you read my little tip on how to adjust those automatic slack adjusters and did it or the trailer and truck just went through a service ask the mechanic if they are all adjusted correctly because you want to know what to look for when you do, a PTI and get him to go under the trailer and point out the distance from the brake shoe to the brake drum. This is one way to tell if it's properly in adjustment and will give you an idea on how wide the gap should be! Also have him point out the springs on the drums and pads so you'll know if one is missing and show you how to manually check the travel on the push rods. There is also a tool you can buy that is made especially for checking the travel which again can be found at that super truck stop and in the truckers magazines!

Something I didn't mention while looking at the brake system is the ait lines. I know that some DOT are starting to get picky about any air line wearing on either frame, axles or on another air line so that is something you need to look at when you pick up a "new" trailer! If on your yard where there is a mechanic or truck stop get them to add something on the line to protect it from getting worn through or even cut! The same for those airlines behind the cab. Don't let them set on the "back porch" or other parts of the truck!

You should have no problem if taught the right way to do a PTI and as I've said in other threads and posts "do it the same way every time every day" and you'll be positive you did it right!

AS for a "creeper" PTI most of us who used to carry one used it with a purpose which was to check the drive shafts and look at things NOT on the PTI list as it was OUR truck and well we needed to know that all those parts were where they should be and working the way the were meant to! It's easier to look under the tractor on a creeper than to roll under it on the lot where everyone has peed which is not an option for me! Using the creeper for us goes back to that "money thing!" It's cheaper to check than to find out while driving down the road! After you get to know what you are looking at you're good to go as they all look pretty much the same.

Good Luck
Rollover

 

A preventable accident does NOT have to be YOUR fault. It only has to be deemed preventable by the Co. The higher standards these companies hold you to are supposedly higher then those practiced in law. Therefore you can be exonerated under the law and be considered a risk to the company's insurance and terminated and carped on through DAC.

For you new guys who want to stay in a OTR truck? Don't get in a wreck, damage anything or piss off a customer. The rest is workable. good luck.

 

I worked at US from 1998-2001 and I know that as to the trailer hand brake,US Xpress does not spec them on any of their tractors.I also agree with you rollover there is no reason to not know that there is an issue with the brakes.As for the OP you should have gone into the shop and asked when that tractor was last serviced and if there were any issues reported by previous drivers.
As most of the rest of the drivers in this thread have said it is AT ALL TIMES the Drivers responsibility to determine and verify the safety on operating condition of the vehicle.

 

Mine is on dash. Prime trucks are ordered without them period.

 

Oh I totally forgot! Look on the front driver side of the trailer and there is an inspection decal! GOOD companies will inspect a trailer more than once a year! If it's been more than 3 months a thorough PTI is in order! More than 6 months be very wary and really look at that thing through a microscope!

 

The wheel chock that you removed was designed to keep the trailer from moving. Also like stated above by springbrake the trailer brakes should have prevented it from moving, or by chance were they released? Sorry but it points to driver error not to bash but safety is very important, after all I wouldn't want my family killed because someone either didnt know what to check or didn't bother to take the time to.