Class 1A Truck and Trailer Air Tests

Truck and Trailer Pretrip Inspection

  1. Ensure lights off, park brake engaged.
  2. Idle down, shut down engine, put key on dash, (pop hood if in-cab latch).
  3. Set chock blocks at drive tires, grab slack adjuster tool, (unlatch and) lift hood.
  4. Start checking engine bay in a thorough, organized, "sweeping" pattern. A good place to start is high on the firewall. Check that each item you see is in good working condition. Don't jump around so you have to double back, just take small "steps" so you can easily get everything.
  5. Move to the other side of the engine bay and repeat.
  6. Close (and latch) hood.
  7. Start engine, engage high idle.
  8. Turn on headlights, foglights, marker and clearance lights, hazard lights and beacons.
  9. Start at front, working your way from top to bottom, checking that each part of the tractor is in good working condition.
  10. Work your way counter-clockwise around the truck and trailer (back along the driver side and up the passenger side), using the same methods described already to check everything. Some tips include:
    1. use as short a movement as possible between items; if you move too far at a time you are liable to overlook something
    2. leave your hammer in the jockeybox until you get to it, then even if you forget to check any items in the jockeybox you will have a reason to come back to it
    3. finish with the back of the tractor before starting with the trailer; this will allow you to more easily remember where you left off on the trailer (as you haven't started it)
    4. especially when it comes to axles, suspension, and any other high stress items, two or more view angles at the same item is beneficial; for example, check axles and airbags from both the front and back
    5. once you are used to what things should look like, allow your eyes to be caught by things that don't look like they should
    6. look for things like cracks or bends, missing bolts, clean or shiny surfaces where two parts meet which shows there is movement (should there be movement there?)
    7. any time you are around the tractor, keep an eye underneath for fluid leaks; they can develop at any time, especially while an engine is warming up
    8. ALWAYS listen for air leaks
  11. Once you have made your way fully around the tractor-trailer outfit, put the tools away, step into the cab, and:
    1. activate the left signal
    2. activate the high beam headlights
    3. activate the brake lights by ensuring the trailer brake hand valve is engaged (use bungee or weight if necessary)
  12. Step back down out of the cab and walk around again (starting right there), this time primarily checking the left signal, brakelights, and high beam headlights; however, keep an eye on the outfit as you may notice something you missed the first time around.
  13. When you get back to the driver's door, reach up and flip the signal to right signal.
  14. Now walk around again and check primarily right signal and brakelights, although it's still good to look for anything out of the ordinary yet again.
  15. When you get back to the driver door:
    1. if you are doing air tests immediately after this, simply enter the cab
    2. if not doing air tests immediately after this (going for repairs), pick up chock blocks and then enter the cab
  16. Release trailer brakes (take bungee or weight off of trailer brake hand valve) and set high idle.
  17. Complete in-cab inspection, which includes interior panels, cabinets, floor, all controls and switches, all gauges, seats and occupant restraints, among other things; again, if you see it, check it.

Pretrip inspection complete!