Pretrip For The Win.

Far too often I see drivers just hook up to a trailer that barely miss jumping the king pin, roll up the landing gear halfway, slap the airlines on and peel out of the yard.

The two pictures below were issues I spotted on an empty trailer. Luckily it was in a drop yard with a dozen other emptys. This one was first in line already cranked low so I was gonna take it. Noticed that jagged metal hanging out when I ducked walked under to check the fifth wheel connection. From a yard dog maybe? While I was trying to decide if I had enough clearance between the drive tires to avoid a puncture and to get it to the yard 70 miles away I noticed a trailer tire completely stripped of tread but still holding air pressure. I opted out after that and called maintenance to give them the heads up. I had an appointment to make. I offered to take it tomorrow if they have roadside fix the flat. Guess we'll see.

Good catchs! I also see a few people who just hook and book. A one never even walk around to the passenger side, I am far too paranoid to do that.

Looks to me like someone pulled out from under the trailer with the legs to low seeing as how the metal is bent to perfectly fit between the tires.

Haha "hook and book" good way of putting it. Im also too paranoid for that. Had one driver actually tell me one time duck walking under the trailer with a flashlight is "unsafe" and a waste of time. According to him all you need to do is tug on the trailer to the drives spin. And I think a 3rd shift warehouse worker who will occasionally spot trailers may of caused this. He's to aggressive and no one can tell him otherwise. Either way tire got changed and I was able to get it back to the customers yard where the have a shop without problem.

Good catchs! I also see a few people who just hook and book. A one never even walk around to the passenger side, I am far too paranoid to do that.

Looks to me like someone pulled out from under the trailer with the legs to low seeing as how the metal is bent to perfectly fit between the tires.

Breakdown knows me by name becuase of the trailers I report after a pretrip. And I always stop before a hook. Ya sure its easier to just hook up without checking your fifth wheel. One time my fifth will latch closed before I was hooked up to it. Glad I checked it that would have been bad.