What is involved when doing a pm on a trailer?

[henboy1]

These are the thread topics that I like to see and so, if I have no clue on the posted topic, I do not waste my time to click on the discussion thread.


BTW, I was able able to change the AC compressor on my truck,vacum it with the machine and put freon back in.I am glad I was able to accomplish this.I hope to do more myself than to spend moeny at every service shop.
What do these guys do during a pm service on the trailer?.I already fill up the axle/ hub with gear oil on all the wheels.What else is involved?

[Larry227]

My list is long so bear with me.

Look the the kingpin and if I see excessive wear I gauge it

Check the upper plate around the kingpin for excessive wear or cracks

Hook up the air lines and electrical cord and release the brakes. Check gland hand seals and electrical pins when doing that.

Check all lights, reflectors, reflective tape

Once I'm under it I pull the plastic plugs (where applicable) on the back of the brake chambers and look to see if the spring is broken or the plate not centered

Make sure all the brakes are released like they should be. Listen for air leaks

Check the play in the s-cam bushings (unless it has tubes) before greasing the bushings and slacks. Missing any grease zerks?

Check that all the clevis pins are in place and have cotter pins. Also make sure the jam nut is against the clevis. Pull on the slack a little to see if the clevis and/or pin is getting worn out.

Note the amount of lining remaining on all the brake shoes. If it has dust shields are they in good shape?

Check for any air lines that might be rubbing each other or something else and are they damaged. Same with electrical wiring and abs wiring.

Check the springs /air bags /shocks for cracks, damage or loose bolts

Check to make sure all air tanks and valves are secure

By then I'm on the last axle. I roll back to the front and look everything over again paying closer attention to the frame, crossmembers etc for cracks or loose bolts.

Grease the landing gear and look at all the bolts on it and the supports for loose bolts etc.

Then on to the tires. Check the air pressures and adjust. Check the tread depth and look for sidewall damage etc.

Look at lugnuts for rust streaks or any other sign of looseness.

Check hubs for oil. Sometimes I insert a pocket magnet into the bottom of the hubcap and see if any metal comes back. Especially if it's an annual safety inspection.

Make sure the doors aren't falling off and tie-backs are in good shape.
If it's a roll-up door I open it and check for loose or missing rollers and hinges. Lubricate the rollers with your choice of penetrating oil. Check for bent tracks. Look at the cables for any broken strands.

If it's a flat bed look at the condition of the deck, bulkhead if it has one, tie downs and anchors.

Go back to the front and apply the service brakes. Walk back and listen for air leaks. Look at the stroke on each brake. Are the slacks and rods at or near 90*?

Go back to the front and release the service brakes and remove the red line so they dynamite. Go back again and make sure they all applied as intended.

During all this walking back and forth and rolling around under it I just keep my eyes open and try to see everything I look at.

That's about it. Basically it's the same thing we do for an annual safety inspection minus the cam rotations.

[henboy1]

Very informative and thorough inspection.
You must be a DOT inspector.
Thank you Larry!

[YerDaddy]

Hey Henboy!
That Larry dude posted an inspection procedure.
You asked for preventive maintenance.

1. Open cold beer.
2. Grease slack adjusters.
3. Grease landing gear.
4. Crunch empty can and open next can.
5. That is all.

I do this once or twice a year.

Now daily inspections is an entirely different procedure also.

Reading comprehension sucks around here.

[Larry227]

Yep that's pretty much what it is. Our customers are happy with it so that's what we do.

I like your way too. Especially the beer part. You probably look at the same things I do without realizing it. I just made it sound more technical.

[devildice]

Hey Henboy!
That Larry dude posted an inspection procedure.
You asked for preventive maintenance.

1. Open cold beer.
2. Grease slack adjusters.
3. Grease landing gear.
4. Crunch empty can and open next can.
5. That is all.

I do this once or twice a year.

Now daily inspections is an entirely different procedure also.

Reading comprehension sucks around here.

Sorry, but I have to disagree with you.......it should be as follows:

1. Open cold beer (must be long necks....no cans).
2. Grease slack adjusters.
3. Take break & open a cold one.
4. Open another cold one.
5. Grease landing gear.
6. Take break & open a cold one.
7. Open another cold one.
8. Send someone to store for more beer.

[Fredog]

I thought you guys were professionals?
every one of you forget about... write "wash me" in the dirt on back of trailer

[allan5oh]

One thing to add, when doing an annual inspection the trailer MUST be 100% clean and unladen.

[devildice]

I thought you guys were professionals?
every one of you forget about... write "wash me" in the dirt on back of trailer

the problem with that is that I have a flatbed........

[INKTOXICATED]

All of hour trucks and trailers are leased from penske. . The other day one of there mechanices came to our yard and was pming the trailers. About 50. He had his clipboard, he walked around the trailer kicked the tires, made sure the glad hands were good, plugged in some powerbox to see if lights worked. Cranked landing gear real qucik. And then off to the next one. He was just putting new pm stickers on them as qucik as possible. Penskes pms on there equipment is a joke. If your write something up give it at least 4 times in there shop before they fix it.