During a trip

For safety drivers should do the following when conducting inspections on their vehicles during a trip.

For safety drivers should do the following when conducting inspections:

• watch gauges for signs of change
• use their senses to check for problems (look, listen, smell, and feel)
• check these critical items when they stop:
  • tires, wheels and rims
  • brakes
  • lights and reflectors
  • brake and electrical connections to trailer
  • trailer coupling devices
  • cargo securement devices

Tire problems

• too much or too little air pressure
• excessive wear
• cuts or other damage
• tread separation
• dual tires that come in contact with each other or parts of the vehicle
• mismatched sizes
• radial and bias-ply tires used together
• cut or cracked valve stems

Wheel and rim problems

• damaged rims
• rust around wheel nuts may mean the nuts are loose-check tightness. (After a tire has been changed, stop a short while later and re-check tightness of nuts.)
• missing clamps, spacers, studs, or lugs
• mismatched, bent, or cracked lock rings
• welded repairs on wheels or rims

Spacers

• spacers should not be bent, damaged, or rusted through
• spacers should be evenly centered, with the dual wheels and tires evenly separated

Brakes

• Slack adjusters, worn broken, loose or missing parts.
• The angle between the push rod and adjuster arm should be a little over 90 degrees when the brakes are released and not less than 90 degrees when the brakes are applied.
• When pulled by hand, the push rod should move less than 1 inch (with the brakes released).
• Cracked drums.
  • Chambers should not be cracked, leaking, dented, or loose.
• Hoses should not be worn, leaking, or loose. Check for areas where hoses will rub against other objects.
• Shoes or pads with oil, grease, or brake fluid on them.
• Shoes and linings worn dangerously thin, missing, or broken.

Steering system

• Missing nuts, bolts, cotter keys, or other parts.
• Bent, loose, or broken parts, such as steering column, steering gear box, or tie rods.
• Power steering pump, hoses, fluid level and leaks.
• Steering wheel play exceeding 10 degrees (approximately 2 inches movement at the rim of a 20-inch steering wheel).

Frame, cross members, box, and floor

• cracks
• broken or improper welds
• holes
• excessive rust or wear

Suspension system

The suspension system supports the vehicle and load. It keeps the axles in place. Damaged suspension components are dangerous.

Look for:

• Torque rod or arm, U-bolts, spring hangers, or other axle positioning parts that are cracked, damaged, or missing.
• Missing or broken leaves in leaf spring assemblies.
• Leaking shock absorbers.
• Air suspension systems that are damaged and/or leaking.
• Loose, cracked, broken or missing frame members.

Exhaust system defects

A broken exhaust system can let poisonous fumes into the cab or sleeper berth.

Look for:

• Loose, broken, or missing exhaust pipes, mufflers, tailpipes, or vertical stacks.
• Loose, broken, or missing mounting brackets, clamps, bolts, or nuts.
• Exhaust system parts rubbing against fuel system parts, tires or other moving parts of vehicle.
• Exhaust system parts that are leaking.

Emergency equipment

Vehicles must be equipped with emergency equipment.

Look for:

• Fire extinguishers.
• Spare electrical fuses (unless equipped with circuit breakers).
• Warning devices for parked vehicles (for example, three reflective warning triangles).
• Cargo - Ensure the vehicle is not overloaded and the cargo is balanced and secured before each trip. If the cargo contains hazardous materials, inspect for proper papers and placarding.