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Truck Inspection: Fundamental Part of Every Road Trip

kenworth truck near road
In This Article
13 August, 2019 | Written by Mike Skliar

Checking your truck before each trip is essential. By inspecting the truck, trailer, and a load, you ensure your safety on the road. Any problem or malfunction must be fixed before departure.

You surely don’t want to get in trouble during the trip. Take some time to check your rig. We’ll show you what steps you should take.

Step-by-Step Truck Inspection Before Starting the Engine

First of all, start checking under the hood. What you must inspect:

  1. Oil, coolant, and other fluids levels.
  2. Look out for the fluid leaks, it is a big problem.
  3. Tighten up caps, they must seat properly.
  4. Engine block. Check the hoses for cracking, fraying or wear. Don’t forget about the fan belt.
  5. The fan itself for the presence of cracks or pieces.
  6. Wires, look for exposed and bare ones.
  7. Tires on the truck and trailer for wear, nails, etc.
  8. Kingpins, shock absorbers, ball joints for proper lubrication and wear.
  9. Airlines and electrical cords if they connected.
  10. Fifth-wheel. Check if it is properly coupled to the trailer.
  11. Landing gear. Legs must be up, crank handle is secure.
  12. Trailer suspension and airbags.
  13. Brake pads for thickness.
  14. Indicators of brake adjustment and their positioning.
  15. Entire truck body for any damage.

Step-by-Step Truck Inspection After Starting the Engine

Start your vehicle and proceed to the second part of the inspection.

  1. Start your engine in neutral.
  2. Check gauges to ensure all is good.
  3. Ease the clutch very slow, try not to fly across the parking lot.
  4. Check the pressure on the gauges.
  5. Turn all lights, get out of the truck, and check them.
  6. Visually inspect the motor for leaks.
  7. Check if the belts are running right.
  8. Close the hood and lock it.
  9. Inspect all lights again.

Final Steps

  1. Back up a little (but be sure to check everything behind the truck) to see if all wheels are good.
  2. Pull forward with trailer brakes on to ensure it properly connected with the fifth wheel.
  3. Pull ahead more and stop with a foot brake to test it.

Now you are good to go and enjoy your trip.

User avatar Mike Skliar
Editor Mike Skliar

As the truck driver recruiting agency's CEO, I deeply understand the unique challenges and demands truck drivers face.

Drawing from my extensive work experience, I bring knowledge in truck driver recruitment, logistics, and transportation management. I possess a comprehensive understanding of industry regulations, safety standards, and best practices, ensuring that the agency adheres to the highest standards of professionalism and compliance.

Now, looking back and remembering my path from the very beginning, it seems to me that this story is a lifetime. During all these years of development and growth of our agency, I took part in no less interesting projects in which my experience, knowledge and vision were needed. And I was also able to gain new skills, contacts and experience by participating in the development of these projects from various fields, such as cargo transportation, trucking companies, e-commerce, parcel delivery and much more! But the best is yet to come!

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