Pre-trip inspections are essential for obvious reasons, like catching any existing problems before you take to the road. Slight tire damage, minor leaks, or cargo that isn’t correctly tied down can easily lead to serious issues on the road.
Initial pre-trip inspections help keep your drivers and vehicles safe and sound from departure right up until their destination. At that point, a post-trip inspection is just as necessary to do. New damages or wear can happen during a trip and risk worsening unless checked right away.
Take a look at some critical post-trip inspections to see if any repairs or fleet maintenance are needed.
Tires
Tires are one of those vehicle components that will always be on a checklist and always need pre and post-trip inspections. Depending on how far your drivers travel, what the road conditions are like, or the weather, tires can easily be damaged.
Check the tires for proper inflation and good tread. Tire pressure should always be at the recommended levels. Otherwise, handling and road grip is much less secure and risk causing an accident. Tread depth is another factor that plays into safe gripping the road safely. An easy check is to place a penny inside the tread and see if it covers Lincoln’s head. If it does, the tires are good; otherwise, a replacement is in order from a heavy truck mechanic.
Lighting and Electrical
The electrical system is always in use, from signaling a turn, breaking, or alerting the driver to a problem with warning lights. As the system ages, it gets less reliable and sometimes even faulty. That creates risks for other drivers on the road, as well as the fleet drivers themselves. Inspect things like headlights, brake lights, turn signals, hazard lights and reflectors, and warning lights in an electrical check. If there is a problem, have a professional handle the repairs.
Trailer Parts
If you’re towing a trailer, then it also needs attention and regular fleet maintenance. The tires will need a separate check, followed by inspecting the brake connections, coupling components, and the landing gear. Landing gear is essential to check, as it takes the brunt weight of any cargo when lifting or lowering. Ensuring proper lubrication, repairs, and replacements as needed will keep any tailer parts in top shape.
Overall Inspection
Aside from these specific checks, it’s always worthwhile doing a general vehicle walkaround. Ensure windshield wipers are in good condition, license plates are up to date, and there are no leaks on the ground. Another visual check is to make sure that the exhaust system isn’t putting out strange smoke. If it is, there might be oil leaking into the exhaust system. That problem needs heavy mechanic repairs right away.
For any fleet repairs, inspections, or general maintenance, you can trust Motorplex to handle the job. Their highly-trained professional technicians are experienced and ready to help with any job. They will even come to your shipping yard to repair trucks on site. With shops in Auburn and Spokane, WA, our heavy truck mechanics are ready to assist with repairs and fleet maintenance.
Motorplex Offers Fleet Maintenance in Auburn and Spokane
Motorplex offers fleet maintenance, in-shop repairs, and onsite mobile service in Auburn and Spokane. We can work on all makes and models from light automotive, medium-truck, and heavy-duty vehicles. As diesel engine repair experts, you can trust that fleet is in good hands.
Need professional fleet maintenance? Then Motorplex is here to help. Contact us now to book an appointment in Auburn, WA or Spokane, WA!
