Performing a Thorough Truck Safety Inspection
Before you can hit the road as a trucker, you need to inspect your truck.
Before you can hit the road as a trucker, you need to inspect your truck. Thorough safety inspections are essential, both before you start moving your cargo and after you have completed your most recent haul. Your truck is a complex machine where over a hundred components must work together. Three of the most important components that you will need to keep a close eye on are the lights, the tires, and your fluid systems.
Inspecting Lights
Look at the lights on your truck, and on your trailer. Whenever you climb out of your cab to take a break, take a few minutes to check on them again. However, be sure not to take longer than a couple of minutes, after all, you’re on a schedule. Even though you want to be careful, you don’t want to be late reaching your next destination. Check on your headlights, taillights, and turn signals. Make sure the lights around the bottom of the trailer are all working properly, as well.
Inspecting Tires
During the next part of your safety inspection, look and see if the treads on your tires are worn out. Then you will need to make sure that your tires are properly inflated. As winter settles in, your tires might be less inflated than you think due to the drastic change in temperatures. If you feel your truck start to lean, it’s probably because one or more of tires are improperly inflated. If even one of your tires blows out, it can be dangerous for you and everyone around you. That’s why you need to make sure that your tires are well-maintained and replaced whenever necessary.
Inspecting Fluid Systems
Lastly, you need to inspect the fluid systems of your truck. Take a close look under the cab for signs of fluid leaks. If you can find and fix these fluid leaks, then you can keep your truck running longer. You don’t want anything to be wrong with your transmission, engine, or hydraulics. If you suspect fluids are leaking, then it’s time for maintenance.
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