A few questions about the pre-trip
 

During the pre-trip, how are you supposed to check to see that the reverse lights are working? Do you put the vehicle in reverse gear with the parking brake still engaged, get out and looks to see if they're working?

Also, when you go to check your blinkers and your headlights, and you go ahead and turn the headlights on as well as one of your blinkers, or do you have to check them separately? :?:

With the truck shut down, turn the key on, parking brake set, gearshift in reverse - walk back and verify they are working

1st trip around the truck, turn headlights on lowbeam, left turn signal on
2nd trip around, headlights on highbeam, right turn signal on

If you do your pre-trip when it is dark you can tell from the drivers seat. :lol:

I check mine at a red light at night when some little Mini Cooper pulls up behind me. Throw it in reverse and if the Cooper bails out I know they're working just fine.

Actually, I agree with Malaki86...... two trips around the rig and you've got it checked.

just as your evaluator to check the lights to the rear for you

When I took my test the examiner didn't make me actually check anything. He had me walk around the truck and throughly explain every thing I was suppose to check. I did do the airbrake test in the cab however, if you forget that it is an automatic fail.

And speaking of reverse lights, some of the trucks where I work don't have any. The ones that do are so dim as to be useless.

The title would be better if it specified "How do you check the reverse lights?"

Also .. just a thought ... specify is the pre-trip for:

1. CDL examiner?
2. Truck Rodeo?
3. Real life preventing you from being stuck on the side of the road, do serious damage, or even kill someone including yourself?

Number 3 in my book does not match #1 or #2 ....

?
 

This is a good statement about pre-trips.

"When is the last time you did a pre-trip that you would bet your life on?"

The CDL examiner. Of course, I'll plan on doing it even after I get my license, but I wanted to make sure I knew how to please him first.

Well that might not be the same procedures that apply to reality. This being secure, no abrasions, bruises, bulges, cuts .. proper inflation ... and going through an exercise knowing the parts and if they should be tight or loose or if they should drip or not -- is way different than "Hmmm the road felt a little bit different yesterday I think I will spend extra time checking to see whats up"

Example, I start noticing a very very slight separation of tread and the tire pressure is slightly low (80 pounds). I filled it up and then drove 100 miles and rechecked the pressure. 80 pounds. I took the tire in to be looked at and sure enough the valve stem had a crack. It was intermittently releasing air and had done so for quite some time. Somebody ran that tire low and somebody else filled the tire. Since it held air .. that cycle continued.

Eventually this tire would have separated but we caught it early.

Just one example of the difference between I checked this and that, and really understanding what is a normal sound, bump, vibration, and what have you from "that is not normal".

Another example . oil level within normal limits but the oil seemed thin and bubbly. Tracked the oil level and although the level stayed within normal limits it was increasing on the stick. Had it checked out. Eventually the problem was narrowed down to a ECM problem where fuel was being dumped into the cylinders and this fuel ended up in the oil.

One saved engine.

Another example ... Voltage indicator goes down to 12 volts and then increases back to 13.6. This cycle continues while I drive. Belts OK .. Alternator is snug .. Hmm normal pre-trip ok .. but things are not normal. Bad belt slack adjuster with an intermittent problem.

That is what I mean when I say there is a big difference between checking this and that according to normal limits, and really understanding your truck and noting things are not normal and I need to really check things out. My point being that the pre-trip according to Hoyle can be A OK and things be very very wrong. The CDL pre-trip is a great start but there is another level of understanding.

Ask GMAN or others on this list that avoid road service like the plaugue. Then ask somebody that has had three or more road service encouters in less than a year how they pre-trip. You will get a different perspective.