Truck Departure Checklist
TruckDepartureChecklist.pdf
ENGINE COMPARTMENT CHECK:
1. General Appearance:
a. Look for puddles on ground - oil - water that is apparently coming from the truck.
b. Look for dripping fluids on underside of engine and transmission.
c. Inspect hoses for condition and leaks.
2. Check Oil Level:
a. Engine oil dipstick - oil in safe range above refill mark.
3. Coolant Level:
a. Inspect reservoir - check proper level for engine condition (hot - cold).
4. Power Steering Fluid:
a. Check power steering fluid dipstick - fluid above refill mark.
5. Engine Compartment Belts:
a. Up to ¾ inch of play at center of belt (2 serpentine belts on Volvo 425 eng.)
EXTERNAL INSPECTION:
1. Steering Box/Hoses:
a. Check for secure mounting and no leaks. Look for missing nuts, bolts, and cotter keys.
2. Steering Linkage:
a. Check all links, arms, and rods from the steering box to the wheel are not worn or cracked and that joints and sockets are not worn beyond limits or loose and no missing nuts, bolts, or cotter keys.
3. Springs/Air/Torque:
a. Look for missing, shifted, cracked, or broken leaf or coil springs.
b. Check tension bars, torque arms, any other parts of suspension are not damaged and are mounted securely.
c. Air ride should be checked for damage or leaks.
4. Mounts:
a. Check for cracked or broken hangers, missing or damaged bushings, broken or missing bolts,U-bolts, or other axle mounting parts.
5. Shock Absorbers:
a. Check for security and no leaks.
6. Slack Adjusters:
a. Check for broke, loose, or missing parts. The angle between the push rod and adjuster arm should be a little over 90 degrees when the brakes are released and not less than 90 degrees when brakes are applied. When adjuster pulled by hand with brakes released, they should not move more than one inch (1").
7. Brake Chambers:
a. Make sure not leaking, cracked, or dented, and are mounted securely.
8. Brake Hoses and Lines:
a. Check for cracked, worn, leaking hoses, lines and couplings.
9. Brake Lining:
a. Check for an adequate amount of brake shoe is remaining.
10. Rims:
a. Check for damaged or bent rims - no welding on rims!
11. Tires:
a. Tread depth minimum on steer tires - 4/32 minimum on all others 2/32.
b. Check tire condition - wear - damage, valve stems and caps are not missing, broken, or damaged.
c. Tire inflation - with gauge.
12. Hub Oil Seals/Axle Seals:
a. Check for leaks and oil level in hubs and behind wheels for leaks.
13. Lug Nuts:
a. Check that all nuts are in place, free of cracks and are not distorted or loose (no rust trails or shiny threads). Make sure bolt holes are not cracked or distorted.
14. Spacers:
a. If equipped - check for damage and that they are in-place, and wheels are evenly separated.
15. Doors/Mirrors:
a. Check for proper operation and that seals and hinges are in-tack and mirror and doors are adjusted properly.
16. Fuel Tank:
a. Check for security and that caps are in-place and that tanks or lines are not leaking.
17. Battery Box:
a. Check that all batteries are secure, connections are tight with no corrosion and cell caps are in place.
b. Make sure cover or door is secure.
18. Drive Shaft:
a. Check that drive shaft is not bent, loose, or cracked and that u-joints are secure and no foreign objects.
19. Exhaust System:
a. Check for security, damage and signs of leaking, such as rust or carbon soot.
20. Frame:
a. Check for cracks, broken welds, holes, or other damage to longitudinal frame members, cross members, and floor.
REAR OF VEHICLE:
1. Splash Guards/Mud Flaps:
a. Check for damage and mounting security.
2. Doors/Hitch/Lights/Secure Items:
a. Check that bed doors are latched and secure.
b. Check hitch for operation and security, and release arm is in proper position for current hitch requirement.
c. Make sure lights are not damaged and proper color for position, red rear, amber elsewhere.
d. Check any items on bed for security – lift, rails, hoist, etc.
e. Look in fifth wheel gap and check that jaws are fully closed on king pin. If it has trailer safety chains they are attached and secure.
f. If RV or trailer is hooked up, make sure deck area is clear for swing, and landing gear is up and tow is secure.
COUPLINGS:
1. Air and Electric Lines:
a. Listen for leaks.
b. Check that air hoses and electric lines are not cut or damaged (steel braid should not show).
c. Make sure air and electric lines are not tangled, pinched, or rubbing against tractor parts.
2. Catwalk:
a. Check for security and clear of objects.
3. Mounting Bolts:
a. Look for loose or missing mounting bolts, brackets, clamps, or nuts. Include pindle hooks, receiver hitch, etc.
CAB CHECK/ENGINE START:
1. Clutch/Gearshift/Parking Brake:
a. Depress clutch.
b. Place gear shift in neutral.
c. Make sure truck chocked or parking brakes applied.
d. Start engine and release clutch slowly.
2. Oil Pressure Gauge:
a. Check for normal oil pressure (gauges working).
b. Oil temperature gauge should show a slow increase in temperature to normal operating range.
3. Temperature Gauge (Water):
a. Make sure gauge is working.
b. Temp should begin to rise to normal operation range.
4. Volt/Ammeter:
a. Check info cluster for normal battery voltage (charging 13-14.2 volts) and light off.
5. Mirrors and Windshield:
a. Should be adjusted and clean.
6. Steering Play:
a. Check play should not exceed 10 degrees (two inches on 20" wheel).
7. Windshield Washer:
a. Check that wiper blades are secure and operate properly. No damage, and washer fluid is adequate for trip.
8. In Cab Light Indicators:
a. Test all dash lights and indicators work when corresponding lights are turned on.
(1) Left and right turn signal
(2) 4-way flashers (emergency)
(3) High beams
9. Horns:
a. Check that city and highway horns are working.
10. Heater/Defroster:
a. Test that heater and defroster are working properly.
11. Parking Brake Check:
a. While parking brake only set, engage vehicle in lower gear, gently pull against brake to assure it will hold.
12. Safety Belts:
a. Check for security and that all required adjust, and latch properly.
13. Lights and Reflectors:
a. Check that all external lights and reflectors are clean and functional.
(1) Clearance lights (red on rear, amber elsewhere)
(2) Headlights (high and low beam)
(3) Tail Lights
(4) Turn signals
(5) 4-way flashers
(6) Brake lights
(7) Reflectors (red on rear, amber elsewhere)
(8) Working lights
14. Air Brake Check:
a. With engine running, build air pressure to governed cut-out (100-125 psi). SHUT ENGINE OFF.
Assure wheels are chocked.
(1) Release tractor protection valve (parking brake). Push in, and fully apply foot brake for one minute. Check to see if air pressure drops more than three pounds in one minute (for single vehicle). If second vehicle is air brake equipped, you have a four pound max decrease in air pressure in one minute.
(2) If above test meets requirements begin fanning off air pressure by rapidly applying and releasing the foot brake. Low air warning devices (buzzer, light, flag) should activate before air pressure drops below 60 psi.
(3) Continue to fan off the air pressure and at approximately 40 psi the protection valve (parking brake) should engage (pop out).
MUST BE COMPLETED AND PASSED BEFORE DRIVING THE VEHICLE:
15. Safety Equipment/Emergency:
a. Make sure truck is equipped with spare fuses and bulbs.
b. Check for three red reflector triangles are on board.
c. Check for at least one properly rated and charged fire extinguisher.
16. See Trailer - RV Checklist.
PLEASE ADD -OR- SUBTRACT AS YOU SEE FIT
INSPECTION NOTES:
Compliments of Hogrydr (Jim)