Any long-haul trucker knows that they have the best chance of completing their drive without any hiccups if they have their work truck inspected before embarking on a long journey. Here is an important trucker’s checklist of things to have inspected in your truck before heading out on the road.
Tires
One of the most dangerous threats to a truck driver is the chance of a tire blowing out while they’re driving, which will cause the driver to lose control of the truck entirely and risk their and anyone else in the immediate roadway’s life. Air levels in the tire should be checked, as should the tires themselves to make sure there aren’t any nails or foreign materials piercing them.
Lights
The functionality of all lights on the vehicle is very critical to driver’s safety. These include the emergency flashers, headlights, turn signals, trailer lights, and the brake lights. Any non-functional lights need to be replaced before heading out on the road for a drive.
Fluid Levels
System failures, primarily engine failure, most often result from improper fluid levels. Be sure that the vehicle’s fluid levels, including brake fluid, are right where they should be. Also make sure that the coolants are at the right level.
Brakes
If brakes are nonfunctional or faulty, the entire truck should be considered nonfunctional or faulty. The inability to stop or slow down when necessary can and will result not only in injury, but potentially can result in death. Brake operations including the parking brake, hydraulic brake, and air brakes should be inspected before heading out on the road.
Windshield and Mirrors
A must have on your trucker’s checklist is the concern with the windshield and mirrors is that they are clean and not cracked. Missing objects in blind spots is a recipe for disaster, so the driver needs to be in the best position to see ahead of him and through the mirrors. Windshield wipers should also be inspected and fixed if necessary so that the driver can maintain optimal visibility during inclement weather.
Locks
There are a few reasons locks are critical. First, so that the materials you are hauling don’t come out of the truck while in transit. Secondly, so that both yourself and your haul are not vulnerable to robbers and predators when you are at a truck stop overnight, or on the side of the road either taking a break or tending to some issue.
Couplings
Making sure that the cab is coupled to the trailer is critical. All of the mounting brackets, lines, clamps, nuts, locking jaws, locking pins, and bolts should be inspected. You may even want to invest in pintle hitch accessories for extra assurance that the cab and trailer will be secure during the journey.
The Cab
Any clutter in the cab of the truck can be very dangerous if an accident arises, especially in a dangerous or violent accident where speed turns objects into projectiles. Make sure that any and all loose and unnecessary objects are removed from the cab before the beginning of your drive.
