Whether you’re delivering a package across town, or heavy industrial machinery throughout a region, pre-trip inspections are vital. It’s better to discover potential issues before you leave than on the side of the road halfway to your destination. This includes a thorough investigation of the truck, trailer, and load.
By checking the following mechanical and safety parts of the truck and trailer, disaster can be avoided along the way:
- Brake systems
- Tire inflation and tread
- Fluids
- Lighting systems
- Suspension
- Couplers
- Steering
If any of the above does not get proper approval before leaving, drivers could run into unexpected complications. It’s bad enough dealing with the usual issues of hauling heavy loads hundreds of miles. Ignoring safety protocols before the truck leaves the dock could make things even more difficult.
Think checking fluids, lights, and other systems take too long? Imagine how much time would be wasted if the truck ends up on the side of the road due to faulty systems or an accident. It’s better to spend time an incident-free trip than spending time on the 5 o’clock news.
Load Security
All drivers are responsible for load security, whether it’s a flatbed, endloader or enclosed trailer. A poorly loaded trailer can result in customers receiving damaged or unusable loads, but could also affect the drivability of truck. By making sure weight is evenly distributed in the trailer, drivers can expect a smoother trip.
This becomes even more important with a flatbed trailer. A poorly secured load could work loose, sending materials onto the roadway, and endangering other cars in the area. Losing a load is bad enough, but causing an accident or fatality is catastrophic.
Finally, part of any pre-trip inspection should include consulting weather reports and checking traffic updates. Even if the truck is in top working condition, getting stuck in a snowstorm brings everything to screeching halt.
NessCampbell takes security very seriously and never lets a truck leave without a pre-trip inspection. In addition, we conduct maintenance check-ups on all of our vehicles to make sure they are in top working condition. Contact us today for all of your heavy haul needs.
