Pre-Trip Inspection Practice

Bruce,

I just wanted to let you know that you didn't have to defend yourself on this topic, but what you said was directly in line with what I was thinking. If I did indeed go to a truck stop, I would make sure to conduct myself in a manner that wouldn't pose a threat to the driver. After making my request for a pre-trip, I would let the driver know that I wouldn't expect to get in the cab (I NEVER would do that, even if it were offered), and I'd surely make sure I would be there in broad daylight. I would definitely consider the safety of both of us considering we're strangers to each other.

The opinions both you and Susan provided are both valid and true, and I am grateful for your replies.

Having said all that, I found a solution. Why not just perform the inspection on my own vehicle? I have a SUV, but with a few exceptions, every vehicle has the same components to check for as a semi (leaks, engine parts, lights, etc.).

I can do a pre-trip by using my own vehicle as the model, and just improvise on the sections that are exclusive to a commercial vehicle. I believe by doing this, I'll be well prepared and, along with the CLP that I already obtained, I'll have one less thing to possibly struggle with once I get in the fast-paced environment of trucking school.

Thank you all so much for the suggestions. I'm going out right now to get started!

Be safe out there, everyone.

Remember, you aren’t learning to actually pretrip a truck at this point, you are learning to tell an inspector how you would pretrip a truck.

Remember, you aren’t learning to actually pretrip a truck at this point, you are learning to tell an inspector how you would pretrip a truck.

How so Grumpy?

Not sure I agree with or clearly understand your point here. To me the only real difference between school and “actual” is the lack of narration and another person observing.

Remember, you aren’t learning to actually pretrip a truck at this point, you are learning to tell an inspector how you would pretrip a truck.

How so Grumpy?

Not sure I agree with or clearly understand your point here. To me the only real difference between school and “actual” is the lack of narration and another person observing.

Here at least, you don’t actually check the oil, or examine the brake pads, etc. You just point at the item and tell them how you would check the items.

I shouldn’t have said you aren’t learning how, but that for the test you will be explaining how.

Remember, you aren’t learning to actually pretrip a truck at this point, you are learning to tell an inspector how you would pretrip a truck.

How so Grumpy?

Not sure I agree with or clearly understand your point here. To me the only real difference between school and “actual” is the lack of narration and another person observing.

Here at least, you don’t actually check the oil, or examine the brake pads, etc. You just point at the item and tell them how you would check the items.

I shouldn’t have said you aren’t learning how, but that for the test you will be explaining how.

Okay, I understand now. I guess it’s different depending on the school.

When I attended Swift’s Richmond Academy we did an actual PTI on the training trucks before we took them out on the road, and yes checked fluids, etc.

Your SUV wont have airbags, U joints, couplings etc. it certainly wont help with the brake test. You need to learn the parts and which are made of what components so you kmow the phrasing. Parts you dont have on an SUV

i watched the Apex video repeatedly and learned the parts, not the location because each make of truck has parts located differently. I watched it for a week and knew the pretrip before anyone else in class.

Remember, you aren’t learning to actually pretrip a truck at this point, you are learning to tell an inspector how you would pretrip a truck.

How so Grumpy?

Not sure I agree with or clearly understand your point here. To me the only real difference between school and “actual” is the lack of narration and another person observing.

Here at least, you don’t actually check the oil, or examine the brake pads, etc. You just point at the item and tell them how you would check the items.

I shouldn’t have said you aren’t learning how, but that for the test you will be explaining how.

Okay, I understand now. I guess it’s different depending on the school.

When I attended Swift’s Richmond Academy we did an actual PTI on the training trucks before we took them out on the road, and yes checked fluids, etc.

I wish we had. I would feel a lot more prepared. But that is the difference in company school vs private. Both are preparing you to get your CDL , but the company is getting you ready to work at the same time it sounds.

Rainy, same here I never had an issue with the PTI. They kept telling me to do less.

Half way through training my Trainer says to me - "No one does pre trips around here or Posts"

Sonny B. with another excellent post....