Preventive Maintenance Inspection Form: Trailers

A. Under Structure

ITEM PASS/FAIL NOTES

1) Check for current registration and permits. Check condition of glad hand rubbers. Connect test glad hand and air hose to service emergency lines. Shut off valve on test glad hand. Disconnect air supply and note pressure.

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Obtain Materials:• Test glad hands (glad hand with gauge and valve)• Air hose

Instructions:• Review history record and insure that parts necessary to complete inspection are available.

ITEM PASS/FAIL NOTES

2) Inspect lower landing: gears (high and low range), rods and connections. Inspect landing gear mounting and brackets: alignment and condition of pad mounting to legs. Clean and inspect landing gear legs and pads. Apply light coating of lubricant over leg segment and lube fittings.

PASS FAIL

Obtain Materials:• Cart• Kingpin gauge• Grease gun• Drop light• Oil can• Creeper• Landing gear crank• Inspection form and repair order

Instructions:• Move cart with tools and equipment to landing gear leg. • Walk to front of trailer and note any air pressure loss on test glad hand (air pressure should not drop more than 2 psi per minute with brakes engaged.)• Install landing gear crank.

3) Inspect kingpin plate (use kingpin gauge if necessary).

PASS FAIL

ITEM PASS/FAIL NOTES

4) Inspect frame rails for cracks, mounting, corrosion and damage. Touch up undercoatings. Inspect cross members for cracks, mounting, corrosion and damage. Touch up undercoats. Inspect air lines and fittings for routing, chafing and damage. Air is applied during this inspection so any leaks will be evident.

PASS FAIL

Obtain Materials:• Four jack stands

Instructions:• Mechanic: Obtain floor jack when necessary and lift rear of trailer.• Place stands under bumper or axle with all tires clear of floor.

5) Inspect relay valves for mounting and leaks. Inspect wiring conduit for routing, chafing and damage. Inspect mud flaps for mounting and condition.

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B. Axles, Brakes and Springs

ITEM PASS/FAIL NOTES

6) Inspect air hoses and fittings at rear axle. If double trailer, check for routing, chafing and condition. Inspect air tank and bleeder valve for mounting and damage. Bleed air tank and inspect brake chambers for opera-tion and mounting. Note operation of slack adjusters by pulling on them or by applying air.

Inspect spring for broken leaves and alignment. Rebound clips and center bolts for proper mounting. Inspect U-bolts and saddles. Tighten if signs of looseness. Use 3’ breaker bar. Should measure approximately 395 feet per pound. Inspect hangers and brackets for wear and secure mounting. Inspect radius rods for mounting, damage and bushing wear.

Check axles for damage and shifted condition. Inspect slack adjuster and clevis pin lube. Inspect brake cam and bushings for wear. Lube: do not over-grease.

PASS FAIL

Obtain Materials:• Tools to adjust brakes• Grease gun• Oil can

Instructions:• Get on creeper at rear of trailer with tools and drop light.

ITEM PASS/FAIL NOTES

7) If brakes are not being replaced, adjust brakes on both axles. Back off brakes and axles if necessary (for brake removal only if a brake job is scheduled after the PM). Inspect right side same as left.

PASS FAIL

8) Roll to front axle air tank - inspect air hoses and fittings at front axle – check for routing, chafing and condition. Inspect air tank and bleeder valve for mounting and damage. Bleed air tank and inspect brake chambers for operation and mounting - note operation of slack adjusters.

Starting at right side, repeat inspection and lube. Return tools and equipment except creeper and drop light. Fill out PMI form and repair order as needed.

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C. Wheel Assemblies

ITEM PASS/FAIL NOTES

9) Inspect rims and lock rings for cracks, rust and proper seating of lock rings. Probe and inspect left front tires. Check tread depths — check tire pressures If tires are 15 psi low, remove and check for leaks. Air to correct specifications. Check tire matching with a straight edge. Tires are not to exceed 1/16” out of match.

Inspect metal valve caps, seals and stems. Inspect lug nuts for looseness and rust. Place drain pan under hub and remove hubcap. Clean and inspect hub for damage. Inspect wheel-bearing play.

PASS FAIL

Obtain Materials:• Mechanic’s seat• Tools to adjust brakes• Bar to check bearing play• Tool to probe tires• Tread depth gauges• Tire pressure gauge and inflator• Rags• Inspection form and repair order

Instructions:• Place tools and equipment on cart and move to left front wheel — couple air hose to inflator.

ITEM PASS/FAIL NOTES

10) Inspect condition of undercoating in wheel well area. Service and inspect all wheel assemblies using this sequence: (a) Complete left rear, (b) right front and (c) end at right rear.

Obtain floor jack, remove jack stands from under trailer and lower trailer to floor. Put jacks and stands away.

PASS FAIL

Obtain Materials:• Kingpin adapter• Two axle extensions• Metal tape with ring

Instructions:• Install axle extension on left front axles. Install kingpin adapter, attach metal tape and measure distance to left axle extension. Use creeper to roll under trailer to right side and install second extension on right axle. Measure distance to right axle extension and compare to distance measured to left (1/4” maximum variance from kingpin to axle).

• Replace all hubcaps using new gaskets. Fill hubs to proper level.

D. Door and Interior

ITEM PASS/FAIL NOTES

11) Walk to closed rear door of trailer. Inspect door cables for tension, alignment, and fraying. Inspect safety chain and latch for secure mounting and proper operation and adjustment. Lube. Inspect weather seals for condition. Inspect door panels for damage and deterioration. Open door. Check balance. Observe condition of tracks and stops.

PASS FAIL

Obtain Materials:• Drop light• Lubricant for overhead door tracks and hinges (dry tape)

12) Inspect ceiling, equipment, walls, mountings and stops at rear of trailer.

PASS FAIL

13) Inspect floor for damage and corrosion.

PASS FAIL

E. Body and Lights

ITEM PASS/FAIL NOTES

14 ) If hinged, open and inspect nose box. Inspect wiring and connections for corrosion and condition. Inspect circuit breakers for secure mounting, corrosion and connections. Inspect condition of trailer light plug, terminals and lid. Connect light circuit checker. Clean contacts with wire brush cleaner. Use light circuit checker to verify lighting of all circuits individually. Use convex mirror to observe lights on rear of unit. Leave clearance and market light circuits on.

PASS FAIL

Obtain Materials:• Can of undercoating• Screwdriver• Tools to open and inspect nose box • Needle-nose pliers to remove bulbs• Supply of bulbs and lenses• Light circuit checker

Instructions:• Position light circuit checker at front corner on same side convex mirror.

15) Inspect roof for damage.

PASS FAIL16) Continue inspection of all clearance lights, reflectors, roof (if applicable), side panels and rub rails moving along the side of the trailer. Look for signs of corrosion on bottom rail. Inspect signs and permit numbers for condition and proper placement. Inspect condition of paint or coatings on steel body parts. Continue inspection across front of trailer and along other side finishing with inspection of upper marker lights.

PASS FAIL

17) Inspect rear bumper, springs and pads. Check for damage and mounting. Inspect and service taillights in same manner as clearance lights. Inspect reflectors. Inspect license plate light and license plates for condition and secure mounting. Return hand tools and equipment.

Walk to front of trailer. Turn off light circuit checker and disconnect. (Note that pintle trailers must be checked from the rear electrical plug for proper operation of individual circuits.)

Return tools and equipment.

PASS FAIL

About Fleet University

Fleet University is the home of free, valuable resources that make fleet management more productive. These materials are based on the best practices that Ron Turley developed while saving UPS nearly $100 million during five years as their national director of maintenance in the 1970s. Adjusted for inflation, that figure would be over $300 million today.

Ron had one of the first authoritative voices in the fleet management industry, and his influence continues today. Following UPS, he consulted with over 170 organizations in the U.S., Canada, the Caribbean, Far East, Europe and South America. His best practices became the foundation of RTA fleet management software over 35 years ago. Fleet University continues in the same spirit of improving productivity through attention to details and data, regardless of what software a fleet manager uses.

Discover more free resources from Fleet University at RTAfleet.com/fleetuniversity.

Fleet University is presented by Ron Turley Associates, Inc. All rights reserved.17437 N. 71st Drive, Suite 110 Glendale, AZ 85308 | Phone: 800-279-0549 | rtafleet.com | rtafleet@rtafleet.com

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