Never been through DOT inspection

Thickness, drums or discs,properly adjusted, and to make sure you re not leaking hub oil onto the brakes

 

Thanks I know

 

You will find that every DOT inspector has different triggers. When you are pulling over a scale they do not have time to observe everything so they look to see certain things. One person may look for cracks around the lung bolts another looks for oil leaks. Whatever they have found in the past is what they look for.

Once pulled in to lot for an inspection, they are doing a "Pre Trip". Only they really do it. They are looking for things you should have already caught.

Brakes travel is what they check for a lot as it is something that you are supposed to have check. Most drivers do not know how to adjust the slack adjusters but we are all suppose to. (Good video on line, do a google search.)

Getting stopped by a roving Patrol is a different matter. They are looking to write you a ticket. I had a Ohio HP guy that pull a wire lose so that my brake lights and tail lights on my tractor were in operable. Those guys should not be out of your sight at anytime.

Most of the DOT folks are just doing their job and are truly just wanting to keep you safe. Just remember, hands up don't shoot.

 

DOT inspections are basically glorified pretrips. If your trk is tite like it should be then there shouldnt be a problem.
Heres a few tips -
Keep your qcom card and paper log book with your permits. You wont look like an idiot rummaging thru the trk to find them .
Washer fluid - they do check it.
SPARE FUSES , most trucks dont come with them and most people forget they need them or forget to buy them .
Glad hand seals - they will listen while you release each brake .

 

What the heck is a qcomm book?

 

You are required to have a manual for your elogs.

 

Yes , it should be a thick paper card with instructions for the dot .

Yes , its a thick paper card with instructions on it for the dot .

 

Oh. So no ELOGS = no card?

 

When I was driving my load shifted from GA on my way to VA. Well I had a cat scale ticket and everything was good. Well when I hit the mountains the paper rolls shifted. I got pulled in for overweight in VA. Company got a ticket for the weight I got a class 1 and all was good. Besides they put me over my HOS lol.

 

A professional, polite and courteous attitude goes a long way. How you first greet then sets the tone of the inspection.
The brakes, they at least look for the length of travel of the brake stroke.