Post and Pre Trips

Agreed Autocar, if I pick up a trailer with a flat I will drive it as far as I need to to get within reach of a road call, Boyd is very picky on this because of money. Back when diesel was around a dollar a gallon, they could care less about the cost of things.

Now a brake is another story, how far I will drive it depends on whats wrong with it. If it's just worn out that jake will be used all the time, if it's out of adjustment 100 psi will fix it. Drum off center, tell me where to go. If I feel unsafe driving the truck to or within reach of service, not my problem someone doesn't take care of the trailers. Now the tractor is different, depending on how thick,long and visible a crack is, is weather I'll wait for a PM. I check all the fluids, the kingpin lock, tire psi, belts, make sure it starts, lights and finally the hose clamps. Took 2 hours at first but once you know what your doing it takes less time.

 

A flat tire is OOS, you are not allowed to drive on it. A very low tire, but is holding over 50% of the manufacturers maximum stated inflation pressure is not OOS and can be driven on.

Many people do not realize that there is a difference in the criteria of a DOT Annual Inspection and the criteria used by the CVSA during a roadside inspection.

If something required in an Annual Inspection is defective, you do not pass the inspection, period. In a CVSA roadside inspection, many things can be found defective and you don't pass the inspection and get a nice, new sticker, but you are not placed OOS.

 

Wait, wait wait. So I'm supposed to sit there because my company is to stingy to spend some money? Sorry, but that won't happen. If it was on the tractor, I would be paying for it. But these trailers are not for me to look after every time I turn around. The most recent case was the rim all bent to hell, didn't move one inch until they got someone out there.

 

Like it or not, it is the law and if you get caught I have no sympathy for the results of your foolishness.

 

You ARE allowed to drive on it

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/administration/fmcsr/fmcsrruletext.aspx?reg=397.17

 

I thought so, gone through scales limping with my outside drive tire on the pass. torn to hell, didn't bother me. They just asked if I was on my way to get it fixed, which I was. Limped it 67 miles doing 50-55, dragged it into the Love's with just the wall left.

I took that over waiting 4-5 hours for a service guy.

 

You notice the reg states the nearest safe place, not the nearest repair shop. The nearest safe place would be where you could be safely parked, off the road, such as a public parking lot or rest area.

 

I agree . I blew an outside trailer tire going through a construction zone and drove past a motorcycle cop writing a ticket . I went to the top of the first exit ramp , pulled off the shoulder and started putting my triangles out . The cop came up the ramp and asked me if I had called a tire service . When I said I had he just went on .

 

Yes, I did notice that, that WAS the nearest safe spot, a part form a Wal-mart but you can't go down that street unless your delivering.

 

What ever happend to a TRUCK DRIVER? THE captain of the ship,


Weather it's a small company, or a LARGE MEGA company.

If it needs to be fixed,,,, find a way to get it fixed THE FASTEST WAY POSSIBLE. If for some reason a scale has to be crossed,,,,,and the DRIVER is worried then TRY and go around! "IF" not take it down the road, and get it fixed. TIME IS MONEY! There are always, going to be drivers who drop trailers WHO DO NOT care, what kind of shape they are in. IMO,,,,,,,,,,,,,try and get them in trouble!!!!!!! as best as possible with the company. Then get the dammn thing fixed ASAP and get on down the road. Regulations can be quoted ALL DAY LONG, but what good is it going to do when you have a BUSTED WAGON. This whole thread (imo) goes back to the truck sitting on the side of the interstate with a blown trailar tire for 3 hours waiting on road service. C"mon limp down the road get to an exit or something. Same general thing as the drop yard. Moral of the rant,,,,,,,,,,,use your HEAD!!!!!! RANT OVER.