Contents
Before embarking on any journey, especially in the world of transportation, safety and preparedness are paramount. The Pre Trip Inspection Checklist form serves as a vital tool for drivers and fleet managers alike, ensuring that vehicles are thoroughly examined before hitting the road. This checklist encompasses a variety of critical components, including an assessment of the vehicle's exterior, interior, and mechanical systems. Drivers are prompted to inspect essential elements such as tire pressure, fluid levels, brakes, lights, and mirrors, all of which contribute to safe operation. Additionally, the form encourages attention to detail by requiring checks on safety equipment, such as fire extinguishers and first aid kits, ensuring that drivers are equipped for any unforeseen circumstances. By following this structured approach, drivers not only comply with regulatory requirements but also enhance their own safety and the safety of others on the road. Ultimately, the Pre Trip Inspection Checklist form is not just a bureaucratic requirement; it embodies a proactive commitment to road safety and responsible driving practices.
How to Write Pre Trip Inspection Checklist
Completing the Pre Trip Inspection Checklist form is an essential step in ensuring vehicle safety and compliance before embarking on a trip. This process involves systematically reviewing various vehicle components to identify any potential issues that could affect performance or safety. Follow the steps below to accurately fill out the form.
- Begin by gathering the necessary materials, including the Pre Trip Inspection Checklist form and a pen.
- Start with the date and time at the top of the form. Clearly write the current date and the time of the inspection.
- Identify the vehicle by recording its make, model, and vehicle identification number (VIN) in the designated fields.
- Check the exterior of the vehicle. Inspect the tires for proper inflation and tread depth, and note any findings on the form.
- Examine the lights, including headlights, brake lights, and turn signals. Indicate whether they are functioning correctly.
- Inspect the windshield and mirrors for any damage or obstructions. Document your observations on the form.
- Open the hood and check fluid levels, including oil, coolant, and brake fluid. Record any deficiencies.
- Examine the brakes and steering components for any signs of wear or malfunction. Note your findings.
- Check the interior of the vehicle. Ensure that safety equipment, such as fire extinguishers and first aid kits, are present and accessible.
- Once all sections of the form are filled out, review your notes for accuracy and completeness.
- Sign and date the form to certify that the inspection has been completed.
After completing the checklist, keep a copy for your records. It is important to address any issues identified during the inspection before operating the vehicle. Regular inspections help maintain safety standards and compliance with regulations.
Misconceptions
Many people have misunderstandings about the Pre Trip Inspection Checklist form. Here are six common misconceptions, along with clarifications to help set the record straight.
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Misconception 1: The checklist is optional.
This is false. The Pre Trip Inspection Checklist is a mandatory requirement for commercial drivers. It ensures that vehicles are safe and roadworthy before they hit the road.
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Misconception 2: The checklist is only for large trucks.
While it is commonly associated with large trucks, all commercial vehicles, regardless of size, should complete a Pre Trip Inspection. This includes buses and vans.
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Misconception 3: Completing the checklist takes too much time.
Although it may seem time-consuming, a thorough inspection can often be completed in a matter of minutes. The time spent can prevent accidents and costly repairs later.
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Misconception 4: The checklist is the same for all vehicles.
This is not accurate. Different types of vehicles may require different inspection criteria. Each checklist should be tailored to the specific vehicle being inspected.
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Misconception 5: A visual check is sufficient.
A visual check is important, but it is not enough. Drivers should also check key components, such as brakes, lights, and tires, to ensure everything is functioning properly.
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Misconception 6: The checklist is only for the driver’s benefit.
This is misleading. While it protects the driver, it also ensures the safety of other road users. A well-maintained vehicle reduces the risk of accidents.
Understanding these misconceptions can lead to safer roads for everyone. Properly utilizing the Pre Trip Inspection Checklist is crucial for maintaining vehicle safety and compliance.
Pre Trip Inspection Checklist Example
Class A CDL
®
FRONT OF TRACTOR
LIGHTS & REFLECTORS o Proper Color
o Working
o Not Broken o Not cracked
LEAKS
o Check for puddles
o Check for drips under engine
Lights
License Plate
Leaks
Reference Items |
ENGINE COMPARTMENT - PASSENGER SIDE
WATER PUMP o Mounted Securely
o No missing bolts or parts o Hoses attached securely
o No leaking hoses or water pump o Belts no more than ¾ inch of play
o Belts not cracked, frayed, or damaged
ALTERNATOR
o Mounted Securely
o No missing bolts or parts
oWires good connections, not frayed
oBelt no more than ¾ inch of play
oBelts not frayed or cracked
OIL LEVEL
oCheck for level and condition
PLUS ALL OTHER HOSES & WIRING
oNot cracked, frayed, or broken
oBelts no more than ¾ inch of play o Hoses not leaking
Engine Air Duct Work
Engine Air Duct Work
Oil Dip Stick
Oil Fill
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Accessory Drive |
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Belts |
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Water Pump |
Turbo Charger |
Alternator |
Reference Items |
1
Class A CDL
®
ENGINE COMPARTMENT - DRIVER SIDE
COOLANT
oCheck for level and condition
oHoses attached and not leaking
POWER STEERING RESERVOIR
oMounted properly
oHoses attached and not leaking
oCheck for level and condition
AIR COMPRESSOR
oMounted Securely
oNo missing bolts or parts
oNo air leaks at lines
oCheck if gear or belt driven
oBelt no more than ¾ inch of play
oBelts not cracked or frayed
STEERING GEAR BOX
oMounted properly
oNo missing parts, nuts or bolts o Lines and hoses not leaking or broken
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Engine Coolant |
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Reservoir |
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Windsheild |
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Washer Fluid |
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Reservoir |
Engine Air Duct |
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Work |
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Power Steering |
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Reservoir |
Radiator Brace |
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Steering Gear |
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Box |
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Pitman Arm |
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Reference Items |
POWER STEERING RESERVOIR |
ENGINE COMPARTMENT - DRIVER SIDE CON’T |
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o Mounted properly |
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o Hoses attached and not leaking |
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o Check for level and condition |
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AIR COMPRESSOR |
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o Mounted Securely |
Power Steering |
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o No missing bolts or parts |
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Reservoir |
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o No air leaks at lines |
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o Check if gear or belt driven |
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o Belt no more than ¾ inch of play |
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o Belts not cracked or frayed |
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STEERING GEAR BOX |
Steering Gear |
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Box |
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o Mounted properly |
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o No missing parts, nuts or bolts |
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o Lines and hoses not leaking or |
Pitman Arm |
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broken |
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STEERING LINKAGE |
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o Pitman arm, Drag link, Steering |
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knuckle, Tie rods and tie rod ends |
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o Not cracked, bent or broken |
Spring Mount |
Drag Link |
Leaf Spring |
o Castle nuts and cotter pins |
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o Not missing and in place |
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Reference Items |
Air Governor
Air Compressor
Engine Oil Pan
2
Class A CDL
®
AIR COMPRESSOR o Mounted Securely
o No missing bolts or parts o No air leaks at lines
o Check if gear or belt driven
o Belt no more than ¾ inch of play o Belts not cracked or frayed
STEERING GEAR BOX
o Mounted properly
oNo missing parts, nuts or bolts o Lines and hoses not leaking or broken
ENGINE COMPARTMENT - DRIVER SIDE CON’T
Engine Air Duct
Work
Fan Belts
Gear Driven Air
Compressor
Steering
Steering Column
Additional Hoses & Wiring
Shock Absorber
Steering Gear Box |
Frame Rail |
Fuel Filter |
Reference Items |
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ENGINE COMPARTMENT - AIR COMPRESSOR
AIR COMPRESSOR o Mounted Securely
o No missing bolts or parts o No air leaks at lines
o Check if gear or belt driven
o Belt no more than ¾ inch of play o Belts not cracked or frayed
Air Governor
Gear Driven Air Compressor
Hoses
Fuel Pump
Reference Items |
3
Class A CDL
®
FRONT SUSPENSION
LEAF SPRINGS
o Not shifted or out of place
oNot cracked, broken or missing
SPRING MOUNTS
oMounted securely- front, back, and
oNot cracked or broken
SHOCK ABSORBER
oMounted Securely
oNot bent or dented o Not leaking
Shock Absorber
Leaf Spring
Tie Rod
Air Hose
Air LIne
Tie Rod End
Axle |
Service Brake |
Chamber |
Reference Items |
LEAF SPRINGS
o Not shifted or out of place
oNot cracked, broken or missing
SPRING MOUNTS
oMounted securely- front, back, and
oNot cracked or broken
SHOCK ABSORBER
oMounted Securely
oNot bent or dented o Not leaking
FRONT SUSPENSION CON’T
Frame Rail
Leaf Spring
Air Dryer location varies depending on model.
Located either behind the front bumper or behind the fuel tank.
Reference Items |
4
Spring Mount
Air Dryer
Class A CDL
®
HOSES AND LINES |
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FRONT BRAKES |
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o Mounted securely |
Service Brake |
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o |
Not leaking |
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o |
Not cracked or frayed |
Chamber |
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Tire |
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CHAMBER |
Push Rod |
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o Mounted securely |
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o Not dented or damaged |
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Wheel |
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Not leaking |
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SLACK ADJUSTER |
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Slack Adjuster |
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o |
No more than 1 inch of free play at |
Castle Nut |
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the push rod with the brakes released. |
Cotter Pin |
Adjustment Nut |
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o |
Not bent, broken, loose, or missing |
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parts |
Steering |
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Knuckle |
Brake Drum |
DRUMS |
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o |
Not cracked, broken or dented |
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o |
No oil leaking from inner oil seal, |
Snap Ring |
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free of debris |
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Brake Lining |
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LININGS |
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oNo cracked, broken or missing parts o Not less than ¼ inch in thickness
Reference Items |
HOSES AND LINES o Mounted securely o Not leaking
o Not cracked or frayed
CHAMBER
o Mounted securely
oNot dented or damaged
oNot leaking
SLACK ADJUSTER
oNo more than 1 inch of free play at the push rod with the brakes released.
oNot bent, broken, loose, or missing parts
DRUMS
oNot cracked, broken or dented
oNo oil leaking from inner oil seal, free of debris
LININGS
oNo cracked, broken or missing parts
oNot less than ¼ inch in thickness
FRONT BRAKES CON’T
Service Brake
Chamber
Push Rod
Clevis Pin &
Cotter Pin
Slack Adjuster
Reference Items |
Air Line
Air Hose
Shock Absorber
Spring
5
Class A CDL
®
FRONT WHEEL
TIRES
oProper inflation – company or manufacturer specification
o No bulges, cuts, or retreads
o Minimum tread depth of 4/32”
RIMS
oNot bent, cracked, No welding repairs.
LUG NUTS
oNone are missing
oTight – no shinny threads, or rust trails
OUTER HUB OIL SEALS
oNot leaking, no missing bolts o Proper oil level
Tire |
Wheel |
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Hub Oil |
Lug Nut |
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Reservior |
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Outer Hub |
Valve Cap |
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Oil Seal |
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Reference Items |
DRIVER FUEL AREA
DRIVER’S DOOR
oDoor opens and closes properly
oSeal is in good condition
DRIVER’S MIRRORS
oClean and free of obstruction
oNot cracked, broken, or damaged
oMounted securely
FUEL TANK
oMounted securely
o Not leaking
o Seal in cap OK
Mirror |
Storage |
Compartment |
Door |
Cap & Seal |
Battery Box & |
Cover |
Saddle Mounts |
Leaks |
Reference Items |
6
Class A CDL
®
AIR LINES & ELECTRIC LINE o Not cracked, frayed, cut, or kinked o Mounted securely at the glad hands o Not leaking
BEHIND THE CAB
BATTERY BOX & BATTERIES o Box is mounted properly
o Batteries are secure in the box o Lid secure
o Connections not corroded
CATWALK
o Mounted properly
oNot, missing, or damaged
oFree of obstructions
DRIVE SHAFT
oNot bent, or damaged
oCoupling,
EXHAUST SYSTEM
oSecurely mounted
oNot dented or damaged
oNot leaking
FRAME
oNot cracked, or damaged
oNo missing bolts
oNo illegal welds
LIGHTS & REFLECTORS
oClean and working
Lights & |
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Reflectors |
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Electrical Line |
Exhaust |
Glad Hand |
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Service & |
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Emergency |
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Airlines |
Drive Shaft |
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Battery Box & |
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Batteries |
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Frame |
Catwalk |
Reference Items |
FRONT OF TRAILER
HEADER BOARD
oNo holes or missing rivets
LIGHTS & REFLECTORS
oNone broken, cracked, or missing
oWorking and proper color of amber
Lights |
Header Board |
Height Sticker
Electric Hookup
Air Line
Reference Items |
7
Class A CDL
®
DRIVE AXLE SUSPENSION
CONTROL ARM MOUNT o Mounted securely
o Not bent, broken or damaged
CONTROLARM
oMounted securely – front, back, and
o Not cracked, or broken
SHOCK ABSORBER
o Mounted Securely
oNot bent, dented or leaking
TORSION BAR
oMounted Securely
oNot bent, broken or damaged
AIR BAGS
oMounted Securely
o Not leaking
Spring Brake |
Torsion Bar |
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Chamber |
Control Arm |
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Spring Brake |
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Chamber |
Air Bag |
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Control Arm |
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Mount |
Control Arm |
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Reference Items |
DRIVE AXLE SUSPENSION CON’T & FIFTH WHEEL
CONTROL ARM MOUNT o Mounted securely
o Not bent, broken or damaged
CONTROLARM
oMounted securely – front, back, and
o Not cracked, or broken
SHOCK ABSORBER
o Mounted Securely
oNot bent, dented or leaking
TORSION BAR
oMounted Securely
oNot bent, broken or damaged
AIR BAGS
oMounted Securely
o Not leaking
Skid Plate |
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Shock Absorber |
Mounting |
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Bolts |
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Locking |
Spring |
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Pins |
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Control Arm |
Air Bag |
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Mount |
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Tire |
Control Arm |
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Space |
Reference Items |
8
Class A CDL
®
HOSES AND LINES o Mounted securely o Not leaking
o Not cracked or frayed
CHAMBER
o Mounted securely
oNot dented or damaged
oNot leaking
SLACK ADJUSTER
oNo more than 1 inch of free play at the push rod with the brakes released.
oNo bent, broken, loose, or missing parts
DRUMS
oNot cracked, broken or dented
oNo oil leaking from inner oil seal, free of debris
LININGS
oNo cracked, broken or missing parts
oNot less than ¼ inch in thickness
DRIVE BRAKES & DRIVE SHAFT
Drive Shaft
Universal Joint
Differential
Reference Items |
Air Line
Service Brake Chamber
Frame
Brake Chamber Mount
Slack Adjuster
TIRES
oProper inflation - company or manufacturer specification.
o No bulges or cuts, can have retreads o Minimum tread depth of 2/32”
RIMS
oNot bent or cracked
oNo welding repairs
LUG NUTS
oNone missing
oTight – no shinny threads, or rust trails
OUTER AXLE SEAL
oNot leaking, no missing bolts
SPACE OR SPACER
oCheck for objects between wheels
oCheck for proper spacing
Lug Nuts
Outer Axle Seal
DRIVE WHEELS
Tire
Bud Rim
Dayton Rim |
Spacer |
Reference Items |
9
Class A CDL
®
REAR OF TRACTOR
LIGHTS & REFLECTORS o Not cracked, or broken
o Working and proper color
SPLASH GUARDS
oNot missing or torn and properly mounted
Locking Jaws |
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Reflectors |
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Lights |
Splash Guard |
Air Bags |
Reference Items |
MOUNTING BOLTS
oNone missing or broken
RELEASE ARM
oNot bent, broken, or damaged
oEngaged in the lock position
LOCKING PINS
oNo missing or broken parts
oEngaged and locked
PLATFORM
oSecurely holds skid plate
oNot cracked, or broken
SKID PLATE
oMounted properly on the platform
oProperly greased
oTilting freely
Mounting Bolts
Slide Stops (all 4 corners)
COUPLING SYSTEM
Skid Plate |
Pivot Pin |
Release Arm |
Platform |
KING PIN |
Welds |
oNot broken, bent, or damaged
APRON
oNo bends or damage to visible portions
GAP
oCheck that the trailer apron is lying flat on the fifth wheel skid plate
Frame |
Slide Locking Pin |
Spring Mount |
JAWS |
Reference Items |
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o Check that the locking jaws are fully |
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closed around the shank of the king pin |
10 |
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Key takeaways
When filling out and using the Pre Trip Inspection Checklist form, several key points can enhance its effectiveness and ensure safety on the road.
- Thoroughness is essential: Each item on the checklist should be inspected carefully. This includes checking the brakes, lights, tires, and fluid levels. A thorough inspection can prevent accidents and breakdowns.
- Documentation matters: Properly completing the checklist serves as a record of the inspection. This documentation can be crucial in case of an incident, providing proof that the vehicle was inspected before use.
- Regular updates are necessary: The checklist should be reviewed and updated regularly to reflect any changes in vehicle condition or inspection requirements. This ensures that the form remains relevant and effective.
- Training is important: Drivers and personnel should be trained on how to properly fill out and utilize the checklist. Understanding its importance can lead to better compliance and safety practices.
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Dos and Don'ts
When filling out the Pre Trip Inspection Checklist form, it is essential to approach the task with care and attention to detail. Here are some guidelines to help ensure accuracy and compliance.
- Do read the instructions carefully before starting the checklist.
- Do use a pen or pencil that is easy to read and will not smudge.
- Do check each item thoroughly before marking it as inspected.
- Do report any issues or defects immediately to the appropriate authority.
- Don't rush through the inspection; take your time to ensure accuracy.
- Don't leave any sections blank; every item must be addressed.
- Don't use abbreviations or shorthand that may cause confusion.
- Don't forget to sign and date the form after completing the inspection.
Similar forms
The Vehicle Inspection Report is similar to the Pre Trip Inspection Checklist as it serves the same primary purpose: ensuring that a vehicle is safe and roadworthy before it is used. This report typically includes detailed sections on various components of the vehicle, such as brakes, lights, and tires. Both documents aim to identify any potential issues that could compromise safety. However, the Vehicle Inspection Report may be more comprehensive, often required by regulatory agencies, while the Pre Trip Inspection Checklist is usually a quick, on-the-spot assessment by the driver.
The Daily Vehicle Inspection Form also aligns closely with the Pre Trip Inspection Checklist. This form is used by drivers to perform routine checks on their vehicles each day. It includes similar categories, such as fluid levels and tire conditions, ensuring that the vehicle is in good working order. While the Pre Trip Inspection Checklist is typically used before a trip, the Daily Vehicle Inspection Form emphasizes ongoing vehicle maintenance, promoting safety over time.
The Maintenance Log is another document that shares similarities with the Pre Trip Inspection Checklist. This log records all maintenance activities performed on a vehicle, including inspections, repairs, and replacements. While the Pre Trip Inspection Checklist focuses on immediate safety checks, the Maintenance Log provides a historical record that can help identify patterns in vehicle performance and potential issues. Together, they contribute to a comprehensive approach to vehicle safety and reliability.
The Driver Vehicle Inspection Report (DVIR) is also comparable to the Pre Trip Inspection Checklist. The DVIR is a formal document that drivers fill out after completing their inspections. It records any defects or issues found during the inspection process. Like the Pre Trip Inspection Checklist, the DVIR ensures that drivers are accountable for the condition of their vehicles. However, the DVIR is often submitted to a supervisor or fleet manager, creating a formal record of compliance with safety regulations.
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Lastly, the Safety Inspection Checklist is similar in that it focuses on ensuring compliance with safety standards. This checklist is often used in various industries to evaluate equipment and vehicle safety. It includes checks for operational safety features and equipment conditions. While the Pre Trip Inspection Checklist is specific to vehicles and their readiness for travel, the Safety Inspection Checklist can apply to a broader range of safety evaluations, making it a vital tool in maintaining overall safety standards.