Proper Pre-Trip For Newbies

Not to be a knitpicker- I am dealing with this pretrip currently while in school- so by looking for discrepencies it makes it less boring topractice and learn...

I downloaded your in depth contribution that is greatly apreciated...

Now for some input -

we also use a few more ABP-all bolts present- a nice enhancement to describe what secure is
ICD- inflation,condition,depth tires
BBF-bulges,bubbles,fiber tires
CFL- cracks,frays,leaks hoses or belts minus the leaks



*** the biggy overlooked is - 393.86 *** that is definite missing item

 

interesting

 

Just passed my CDL test pre trip in Indiana using this as a guide. Takes you around the truck in a logical way. View attachment pre trip.pdf

 

these tests are the best. i have tried several different sites, and truckersreport is the closest to the real test.

 

Dear American Trucker;

Your pre-trip form is well presented and thought out, no doubt, it's the DOT requirement. However, some of the items that are required to check, you would have to be a top-notch mechanic to be able to tell if things are right or not. There is no way, unless you've had mechanical training, to be able to observe if something (steering, linkage, suspension, brake chambers, adjusters, brake lines, drums, etc.) are mounted and secured properly. Does the DOT REALLY think we are mechanics? You could probably make MORE MONEY as a mechanic than as a driver anyway.

I had to go through this same pre-trip routine to become a school bus driver, and honestly, just to pass the test to get our learner's licenses. The real pre-trip that school bus drivers do twice a day is to test the tires, lights (yellow and red loading lights, hazards, turn and brake signals), all glass, air brakes, oil pressure and spring/service brakes, seat belt, seat security and mirrors before each run. We are not expected to be mechanics. That's what we have mechanics on premise for.

So just how detailed do you actually realistically get with this trucker's pre trip? Are you a trained mechanic?

Just wondering!

P.

 

me personally yes im a Licensed A&P Aircraft Technition and worked as a auto machanic for a few years.

And yes a driver can open the hood and the steering linkage is stareing them in the face, they should know what it should and shouldnt look like. All the brake stuff is also right there where a driver can quickly and easily see it. There is a reason for BRAKE CHECK areas at the top of big grades...




American Trucker

 

i've taken hold of drag links and discovered loose spherical joints by shaking the link. and i've discovered torn brake hoses by wiggling the hose to see if i can hear them hiss.

i've spotted broken shackles in leaf springs, found missing slack adjusters, had my brakes overcam while tightening on the road because of broken drums, and so on.

you don't have to be a mechanic to look at stuff and wiggle it. sometimes you don't want to take the hill with something you know to be wrong.

 

Looks like a standard DOT pre-trip to me. Yes, You DO have to know more about your equipment as a professional driver! Because you want to protect YOUR life and OTHER's lives.

 

Yeah anyone saying they do not do there full list of checks which I can do the whole list in about just a little over ten minutes checking every single lug nut on the truck all oil levels ect ect is just plain lazy and more often than none the ones you see on the side of the road waiting for a service truck to come change out a blown tire on them.

 

Are you allowed a cheat sheet when you take your skills test?