What Do You Do About Trailer Issues?

What if you get to a site and the trailer you're supposed to haul is loaded & ready to go... But,

1) You find a tire that's worn below the minimal standard depth of 2/32? 2) There's a blown or busted bulb? 3) There's damage to the trailer? 4) etc, etc...

I apologize if the answers are in the CDL training area and I just haven't gotten that far yet.

What if you get to a site and the trailer you're supposed to haul is loaded & ready to go... But,

1) You find a tire that's worn below the minimal standard depth of 2/32? 2) There's a blown or busted bulb? 3) There's damage to the trailer? 4) etc, etc...

I apologize if the answers are in the CDL training area and I just haven't gotten that far yet.

The practical answer is call your DM and get service. The tires and bulbs can get you busted by DOT or any other LEO. The damage to the trailer can wind up being on you if you don't report it. However, I'm just using common sense, I'm sure we'll get real-world answers!

Make sure you put it into your pre-trip, you should carry a camera, use your phone, whatever and take a picture of the damage. This way you have proof of condition and if anyone is around to verify the damage for you get their info and/or signature.

Carry extra bulbs. I use a lot of bulbs on trailers, especially the license plate light.

If it's a tire issue, air leak, or something like that, I send a repair request via macro and they send someone to fix it. Takes a couple hours, but better than getting busted by DOT or having an accident.

I also carry an extra mudflap. Can make a great floormat if needed, and when I get a trailer that has a missing or damaged mudflap I have it so I can change it myself and not have to pull in somewhere to buy one.

Carry extra bulbs. I use a lot of bulbs on trailers, especially the license plate light.

If it's a tire issue, air leak, or something like that, I send a repair request via macro and they send someone to fix it. Takes a couple hours, but better than getting busted by DOT or having an accident.

I also carry an extra mudflap. Can make a great floormat if needed, and when I get a trailer that has a missing or damaged mudflap I have it so I can change it myself and not have to pull in somewhere to buy one.

So, are there a few poor truckers out there missing bulbs and a mudflap? J/K..

Thanks guys for the replies.

At Werner each truck/driver gets a small basic tool box with a few basic tools. Nothing major. Channel locks, 2 screwdrivers, and a few other odd and end tools that I can not remember right now. Also you get a small bag of glad hand seals in case you need to replace some and you get a big a$$ bag of lights.

If your smart and it's just a light bulb you change it and be on your way. I have even rewired lights cause the wires were broke or corrosion ate the wires away. Requires no Know How and just a little bit of common sense. You can spend 10 minutes doing this or 3 hours waiting for someone to come and do it for you. Tires and mud flaps and equipment you report on your pre trip of the equipment and then contact your road service department and they will do the rest from that point depending on what needs to be done. But what you don't do is hook to the equipment and drive down the road and report it later cause you will be blamed for it and rightfully so. Do your job like you were taught and it will be easy but short cut and don't pre trip then you are asking for trouble.

There is only one way to do this job. The right way the first time or its wrong. Simple as that.

I have pointed out to many drivers about lights being out or something else that needs to be fixed and alot of time the answer is "It's not my job to fix the lights" or whatever is wrong. Well that's the wrong answer. IT IS YOUR JOB. Maybe not to physically fix the item but to see that it is fixed and road worthy.

Guy is right just fix the dang thing if it's simple. I'm sure if you tell the DOT man its not your job he will understand... then tell you to go on your way and buy the way... that IS YOUR ticket.

There should be a way to get paid to do such things though. Just replacing a simple light yourself saves them a few hundred bucks. You would think they would at least give ya lunch money for it.

Speaking of fixing things. Do the companies put first aid kits on your trucks. I'm thinking DOT requires it. They do on my bus

Believe it or not, a first aid kit is not a requirement on a truck. Bring your own, if you want one.

-mountain girl

Believe it or not, a first aid kit is not a requirement on a truck. Bring your own, if you want one.

-mountain girl

Yea what she said. First aide is up to you. I have a first aide kit any medic would be proud of sans the pain medication.