Pre-trip Question

Just out of curiosity, how often during a pre-trip do you find a problem that needs to be addressed? Which areas are the ones where you'll more frequently spot something (aside from what I figure are more obvious, like with tires and lights)?

In a PTI, I have found: a coolant leak, flat/low tires, low oil on the dipstick, air leaks, and bad lights of various kinds.

Here are two differences between your testing PTI and the daily one. The most obvious is you don't need to say all that stuff on your daily walk around - you just take a look and make sure things are ok.

Second, daily observation of the same stuff - belts look & feel the same, the engine oil level is the same, most things are the same from day to day and the full PTI takes 10 minutes, not 45.

Lights, tires and suspension are probably the most common. For me Incan go weeks without finding a problem then find multiple ones in a day.

Oh, and how often? Not often. But finding a problem is why you look.

My post: Why Do A Pre-trip?

I've found coolant leaks and bad tired on trailers.

The main ones I look for tires, brakes, air leaks and fluid leaks. Since I work nights it makes it easier because I sweep everything with a flashlight and I can be sure I didn't miss anything.

Coolant leaks, lights that dont work, air leaks, tire issues, trailers that need repair, trailer brake chambers.. the list of things you could find are endless, especially when normally doing lots of drop and hooks. Always check your truck including each and every trailer you hook to. The idea is to find things BEFORE they require a major repair or down time.

Im assuming that your referring to both pre and post trips? It seriously could be anything. Especially when your switching equipment often such as drop/hooking trailers or slip seating tractors. I've had this tractor about 1.5 years and have pulled hundreds of different trailers.

Many tire issues found when picking up trailers, many many many tire issues. Many light issues on trailers, so many. Trailer axle seals leaking. Trailers have had broken crossmembers and broken frame rails. Holes in interior and exterior walls. Damaged trailer tails or damaged trailer doors. Plenty of air leaks from trailer air lines, air bags, or brake chambers. Trailer landing gear busted. Trailer tandem release actuators broken or missing bolts. Trailer having not had it's yearly inspection or registration is missing. Refrigeration unit not functioning properly or at all.

Tractor has had 2 headlights go out. Found a good half dozen nails or screws in tractor drive tires. Alternator wasn't secured properly from the factory. Had a bad belt tensioner, and found my engine belt started shredding. My trainers truck developed coolant leaks on several occasions, my truck has not. Shock absorber on steer axle started leaking. Had to get my truck to trailer air lines replaced. Found that they had started hanging to low and were rubbing on my tire chain rack while vehicle in motion. Had worn the outer coating of the air line off.

Many of the above tire issues were found mid-trip. I always do a quick walk around everytime I stop, and have plenty of times found a tire that started losing its tread or an axle seal that started leaking.

This is just off the top of my head. You can find anything wrong at any time.

Everyone's experiences will vary.

I check every trailer when I hook to it and often the issues I find, stale inspection sticker, flats, brake issues or leaking hubs were obviously older issues just passed along by previous drivers because they didnt want to deal with the downtime. I would say brake shoes, stale yearly inspections and flats are the biggest issues I find.