Pre Trip Inspection Help Needed.

So I have my class a Permit. Went to the tda yard in rancho this morning and started pre trip inspections. Did it all day today. Almost have it down. Im just looking for to tips and pointers to help me out with it and pass on to my classmates. We also do more pre trip inspections and actually start straight line backing on Sat. We are all looking forward to start driving something big even though it is in reverse.

There are lots of helpful tools here on the website. But the biggest help you will receive is from yourself. And I see that you have the attitude to do what needs to be done. So, I know you will.

Here's what we have here:

Pre Trip Inspection Study Guide

Pre Trip Inspection Flash Cards

As far as what will help you. I have said this before. Doing your pre-trip is like having a script for a play. You have the main part in this play and it will take work. But, the good thing is this...each day you get better and better. You have to practice your lines. Everyone thinks it crazy and you may even feel funny doing it, but walking around that truck as though you were rehearsing for that play and knowing your lines are the knowledge of that walk-around, the more you do it, the better you will become.

Each day take it upon yourself to get there early and begin your pre-trip. No one has to be there. The trucks are just sitting there. Part of what the instructors are doing is looking to see how determined you are about getting that CDL. It's part of their training. They look to see who is paying attention and who takes that initiative to embark on their own to learn this. That's part of being a real truck driver too. You will be embarking on your own at some point to drive and deliver your goods.

Take your study sheet with you each time. Your not memorizing this. You are learning it. Read through that script, touching each item that you are speaking about. Most schools make you touch the parts of the truck anyway during your exam. Get a feel of what it is going to be when you take that exam.

If you have connected with anyone in your class, team up to do the pre-trip. Helping each other as you go through the class will help as well. Be positive about it, knowing that this is part of your new life. It's important.

One thing that helped me was A-B-C and C-B-B. Also, EVERYTHING is properly mounted and secured.

Anything that held air or fluid, tires, air lines, engine hoses was A-B-C .... no Abrasions Bulges or Cuts. Properly mounted and secured both ends, and not leaking.

Most everything else, not Cracked Bent or Broken.

Also remember ICD- Inflation Condition and Depth. This must be said on all tires.

After that, it's just repetition learning all the parts. It helps to have someone knowledgeable go over it with you a few times, (with your paper study guide) and remember what all the part are, and finding a system that works for you.

You did get a paper study guide right? That has all the check points on it? Learn where all the parts are and its all gravy after that. A-B-C C-B-B

I started engine passenger side, cause there only a few things over there. Alternator, properly mounted and secure, not CBB, no more than 1/2-3/4" free play in the belt. General hoses, no Abrasions Bulges or Cuts. Properly mounted and secured both ends, and not leaking.

Tires and shocks

Cross over to the drivers side, and just keep rolling from there....

I always liked the reading a book trick. Whatever part of the truck your describing ie engine compartment, tractor, trailer, in cab, etc always "read" through it top to bottom left to right. That way your sure to touch on everything. And just call out things as you get to them. You'll be fine though once you get going you'll breeze right through it!

One technique that helped me was learning the specific number of items in each section. For example, if I know there are 7 items in rear of tractor and I've only mentioned 6 then I'll know that I'm missing the reflective tape (I always do unless i'm counting). Pick a specific area and go from top to bottom or right to left from that spot. That way it's like using your notes. The answers are all right in front of you just like you were reading off the sheet. You just substitute the words "glad hands rubber seal" for the actual rubber seal..