Review Questions - Click On The Picture To Begin...
- Crossbeam
- Kingpin
- Securing Hook
- Tandem
Quote From The CDL Manual:
Locking jaws:
- Look into fifth wheel gap and check that locking jaws are fully closed around the kingpin.
- On other types of coupling systems (i.e., ball hitch, pintle, hook, etc.), inspect the locking mechanism for missing or broken parts and make sure it is locked securely. If present, safety cables or chains must be secure and free of kinks and excessive slack.
TruckingTruth's Advice:
While inspecting the fifth wheel locking jaws, tell the examiner:
"I need to make sure the locking jaw is fully engaged and that the fifth wheel is positioned properly so that the tractor frame will clear the landing gear during turns."
- The cap is tight
- All of these answers are correct
- There are no leaks from the tanks or the lines
- The tank is properly mounted and secure
Quote From The CDL Manual:
Fuel tank(s): Check that the tank(s) is secure, cap(s) is tight, and that there are no leaks from tank(s) or lines.
TruckingTruth's Advice:
When checking the fuel tank, tell the examiner:
"The tank must be properly mounted and secure, the cap must be on tight and not leaking, and there are should be no leaks under the tank."
- Drive Shaft
- Fuel Tank
- Air Lines
- Fifth Wheel
Quote From The CDL Manual:
Drive shaft:
- See that drive shaft is not bent or cracked.
- Couplings should be secure and free of foreign objects.
TruckingTruth's Advice:
When inspecting the drive shaft, tell the examiner:
"The drive shaft should not be twisted, cracked, bent or broken. U-joints must appear secure and free of foreign objects."
- There should be a small gap of less than 1 inch on level ground
- There should be no gap at all
- There should be a gap of about 1 foot on level ground
- There should be a 3 to 6 inch gap on level ground
Quote From The CDL Manual:
Kingpin/apron/gap:
- Check that the kingpin is not bent.
- Make sure the visible part of the apron is not bent, cracked or broken.
- Check that the trailer is laying flat on the fifth wheel skid plate (no gap).
TruckingTruth's Advice:
Be sure to tell the examiner that no gap should be present between the fifth wheel skid plate and the trailer apron.
- A loose fitting may cause a leak
- There will be carbon soot collected into one area of the pipe
- All of these can be signs of an exhaust leak
- There will be rust visible in a particular spot
Quote From The CDL Manual:
Exhaust system:
- Check system for damage and signs of leaks such as rust or carbon soot.
- System should be connected tightly and mounted securely.
TruckingTruth's Advice:
While inspecting the exhaust system, tell the examiner:
"The exhaust should be properly mounted and secured, no loose clamps, no signs of leaks such as rust or soot, and it must contain no holes, cracks, or dents."
- Make sure the air and electrical lines are dragging against the tractor cat-walk for additional support
- Steel braid should not show through on the air or electrical lines
- Make sure air and electrical lines are not tangled
- Listen for air leaks
Quote From The CDL Manual:
Air/electric lines:
- Listen for air leaks. Check that air hoses and electrical lines are not cut, chafed, spliced or worn (steel braid should not show through).
- Make sure air and electrical lines are not tangled, pinched or dragging against tractor parts.
TruckingTruth's Advice:
You should say the following to the examiner for the air and electrical lines:
Air Lines: "The air lines are securely mounted to the tractor and trailer. The lines are secured to the trailer using glad hands and glad hand seals which are in good condition and not leaking air. They are not dragging on the cat walk, no leaks are present, and they are free of abrasions, bulges, or cuts."
Electrical Lines: "Electrical line is properly connected to the tractor and trailer, is not dragging on the cat walk, and has no cracked, frayed, or bare wires showing."
- Mirrors and mirror brackets should be mounted with loose fittings
- Doors on the tractor should open and close properly from the outside
- All door seals should be intact
- Door hinges should be secure
Quote From The CDL Manual:
Doors/mirrors:
- Check that doors are not damaged and that they open and close properly from the outside. Hinges should be secure with seals intact.
- Check that mirrors and mirror brackets are not damaged and are mounted securely with no loose fittings.
TruckingTruth's Advice:
When checking a door during your pre-trip exam, you should physically open and close the door, checking all necessary items. While demonstrating, you should say:
"The door opens and closes properly, hinges are secure, not cracked, bent, or broken and the door seal is present, not torn, or damaged."