(2.) Pre-Trip / Post Trip, Load Checks / Inter-trip Inspections

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Pre-Trip Inspection

Pre-Trip inspections should be done at the beginning of every work shift. This should always be done “ON DUTY” and include but not be limited to the following:

Truck paperwork 

  • Current Annual Inspection
  • IFTA Form
  • Insurance Card
  • Tag Registration form (cab card)
  • Spare paper logs
  • E-log user manual or reference sheet

Safety Equipment

  • Emergency Triangles
  • Fire Extinguisher–Charged and latched into its mounting bracket.

Lights

  • All lights including the ABS malfunction lamp on the trailer should be checked.

Tires 

  • Properly inflated with no cuts or bulges on sidewalls or air leaks.
  • 4/32-inch minimum tread depth on steer tires.
  • 2/32-inch minimum tread depth on drive and trailer tires.

Brakes

  • No cracks in linings, drums, or discs. No missing springs, pins, or shackles.
  • No oil or grease present.
  • No audible air leaks.

Frame

  • No cracks or missing bolts including springs, spring shackles, shocks and mounting points.

Engine

  • Fluid Levels – Oil, coolant, windshield washer fluid
  • Belts – No cracking or excessive wear
  • Signs of fluid leaks

5th Wheel

  • Securely latched. No signs of cracking or missing bolts on mounts.

Wheels & Hubs

  • Full of oil with no signs of leaks. No cracks in wheels. 

Cargo Securement

  • All devices in use are tight and undamaged.
  • No signs of shifting or failing blocking.
  • All equipment and dunnage properly stowed.

Load Checks / Inter-trip Inspection

Load checks should be done as follows:

  • 1 in the first 50 miles of the load.

Then after the first check:

  • 1 every 3 hours or every 150 miles, whichever comes first.
  • And every change of duty status. 

While commonly called a “load check” this should qualify as an inter-trip inspection. It is very important that a driver check his or her load as well as looking for developing problems on the tractor and trailer. Inter-trip inspections are vital in reducing damage to product, load shifts, and violations. 

During this inspection a driver should check the following:

Load securement

  • Damage done to straps, chains, or cargo
  • Tightness of all securement devices
  • Dunnage, blocking, or cribbing used on the load for cracks and signs of failure
  • Edge protectors
  • Equipment stored on the trailer and headache rack of the tractor

Tractor and Trailer

  • All lights
  • Mud flaps
  • Listen for audible air leaks
  • Air lines for chaffing and leaks
  • Tires

If problems are found, do not put the repair off until later. Get it repaired or resolved as soon as possible. The longer a driver waits to correct issues, the bigger the problem can become.