Pre-Trip Inspection Cheat Sheet

Front of Truck

Lights

Check that the headlights, high beams, marker lights, and turn signals work

Fluid leaks

Check the ground for any oil or coolant leaks.

Oil level

Pull the dipstick out and wipe it off.
Then, put the dipstick back in and pull it back out to check the oil level.
(Check the engine manual for the right measurement)

Coolant level and connections

Check that the coolant is at the full mark
Inspect that the hoses are not cracked or leaking
Check that the cap is tight and not missing

Windshield Wiper Fluid

Check that the washer fluid is full and not leaking.
Check the cap is secured and not missing
Check that the reservoir is secure and there are no missing parts.

Power Steering System

Check that the power steering fluid is full.
Inspect that the hoses are not cracked or leaking
The power steering box needs to be secured to the truck, with no missing parts, and not leaking.
Check the steering rod is secure, not missing parts, or loose.

Engine Belt

Check that the belt is tight and there are no cracks in the belt.

Suspension

Check that the leaf spring and mounts have not cracked or shifted
Check for any broken parts.
Check that the shock is not broken or leaking.
Also, check that the shock mounts are secure and not broken or missing parts.

Wheels

Steer Tires

Inspect both sides of the tire for cracks, cuts, or scrapes. (This could lead to the tire popping while driving)
Check that the tire is wearing evenly.
The tire needs to be at 110 PSI.
Tread depth needs to be more than 4/32 of an inch
The steer tires need to be virgin. (doesn’t have a retread on them.)

Drive and Trailer Tires

Inspect both sides of the tire for cracks, cuts, or scrapes. (This could lead to the tire failing while driving)
Check that the tire is wearing evenly.
The tires need to be at least 90 PSI
Tread depth needs to be at 2/32 of an inch

Rims

Check for cracks, dents, or any other damage to the rim
Rims are not allowed to have welding repairs on them.

lug nuts

Check that all the lug nuts are present
No rust trails are coming from the lug nuts.
There is shiny medal behind the lug nuts
The stud holes on the rim are not elongated

Brakes

Check that the air hoses and brake chambers are not leaking air.
Inspect that the brake chambers are not missing parts and are secured to the truck.
Ensure the brake pads are more than 1/4 of an inch thick.
Check that the brake drum does not have a blue tint to it.
Make sure there are no contaminants on the brakes. (grease, oil, etc.)

Side of Truck

Mirrors

Mirrors need to be clean with no cracks or broken parts.
Brackets need to be tight and not missing any parts.

Batteries

Check that the batteries are secure in the box.
All connections are tight and don’t show signs of corrosion.
The wires should not be cracked or worn
The cover is securely fasten to the truck

Fuel Tank

Check that the fuel tanks are securely fastened to the truck.
The caps are tight
No fuel is leaking anywhere.

Air Tank

Check that the air tanks are secured to the truck.
No air is leaking
All the water is drained from the tanks

def tank

Check that the def tank is secured to the truck.
Cap is tight
No Def is leaking

lights

Check that the lights work and are the proper color. (amber in the front and red in the back)
Make sure the lenses are not cracked and are clean.

Frame

Check that the frame has not cracked
No broken welds
no damage to the frame members.

Suspension

Check that the leaf spring and mounts have not cracked or shifted
There are no broken parts.
Check that the shock is not broken or leaking.
Also, check that the shock mounts are secure, not broken, or missing any parts.

Trailer Connections

Fifth wheel Plate

Make sure the fifth wheel plate is securely mounted to the truck.
No defects in it, like cracks, breaks, or excessive wear.
Make sure it is properly grased

Fifth wheel Locking Mechanism

Make sure the locking lever is in place.
Check that the locking jaws are around the kingpin
Make sure the sliding fifth wheel jaws are locked into place.

King Pin, Apron, and Gap

Makes sure the kingpin is in place.
No damage, such as bent or worn excessively.
Make sure the apron on the trailer is not bent, cracked, or broken
Make sure the apron is lying flat on the fifth wheel with no gap between them. (No sunlight should be seen between them.)

Trailer Connections

Check that the electrical and air lines are set and sealed properly.
Make sure they are not cut, chafed, or worn.
Listen for any air leaks.
Make sure the lines are up off the catwalk.

Trailer

Landing Gear

Make sure the landing gear is fully raised
The crank handle needs to be secure in its holder
Check that the landing gear and support frames are not damaged or missing parts.
Make sure there is enough room between the landing gear and the truck to turn.

Lights

Check that the lights work and are the proper color. (amber in the front and red in the back)
Make sure the lenses are not cracked and are clean.

Reflective Tape

Check that the reflective tape on the side of the trailer and bumper is secure and not missing.

Cab Checks

Emergency Equipment

Check for 3 emergency triangles/ flares
Properly charged fire extinguisher. (check that it’s secure)
Check for spare fuses and other miscellaneous parts.

Windshield

Make sure the windshield is clean and free of obstructions.
Check for any damage to the glass, like chips or cracks.

Mirrors

Check that the mirrors are clean and properly adjusted.

Wipers and Washer Fluid

Check that the windshield wipers operate correctly. (go up and down)
Make sure the washer fluid sprays out properly.
Make sure the wiper blades wipe off all the fluid.

Heater/ Defroster

Check that the defroster works.

Horns

Check that both the air horn and steering wheel horn work.

Dash Lights

Check that all the dash lights come on when you turn on the truck.
Make sure the ABS light for the truck and trailer turn off.

Air Brake Test

Parking Brake

Pull the parking brake (yellow knob) and push the emergency brake (red knob) in and gently pull forward.
This tests the brakes on the truck

Emergency Brake

Push the parking brake in (yellow knob) and pull the emergency brake (red knob) out and gently pull forward.
This tests the trailer brakes.

Service Brake

Drive the truck at 5 mph.
Press the brake pedal
The truck should stop and not pull to either side.

Air Gauge

Check that the air pressure builds up to 120-140 psi and shuts off.

Air leakage Rate

Shut the engine off
Have the key in the on position ( electronics work, but the engine is not running)
Push in the Air brakes (yellow and red knobs)
Push the brake pedal in for one minute.
The PSI should not drop more than 4 PSI

Air Warning Divices

Keep the engine off
Keys in the on position ( Electronics work, but engine turned off)
Have the air brakes pushed in.
Fan off the air by repeatedly pressing the brake pedals.
A low air light or buzzer should come on around 55 PSI. (depending on the manufacturer)

Emergency Brake Test

Have the engine turned off.
The key is in the on position. (Electronics work, but the engine is off)
Have the air brakes pressed in (yellow and red knob)
Fan off the air by repeatedly pressing the brake.
The brakes should pop out around 20-45 PSI. (Depending on the manufacturer)