Inspecting Doubles & Triples

Inspecting Doubles & Triples

Use the seven-step inspection procedure described in Chapter 2 to inspect your combination vehicle. There are more things to inspect on a combination vehicle than on a single vehicle. Many of these items are simply more of what you would find on a single vehicle (for example, tires, wheels, lights, reflectors, etc.); however, there are also some new things to check. These are discussed below.

Additional Checks

Do these checks in addition to those already listed in Chapter 2, Step 5: Do the Walk-around Inspection.

Coupling System Areas

Check fifth wheel (lower):

• Securely mounted to frame.
• No missing or damaged parts.
• Enough grease.
• No visible space between trailer apron and fifth wheel plate.
• Locking jaws around the shank, not the head, of the kingpin.
• Fifth wheel release arm properly seated and safety latch/lock engaged.

Check fifth wheel (upper):

• Glide plate (apron) securely mounted to the trailer frame.
• Kingpin not damaged.
• Air and electric lines to trailer.
• Electrical cord firmly plugged in and secured.
• Air lines properly connected to glad hands, no air leaks, properly secured with enough slack for turns.
• All lines free from damage.

Sliding fifth wheel:

• Slide not damaged or parts missing.
• Properly greased.
• All locking pins present and locked in place.
• If air powered, no air leaks.
• Check that fifth wheel is not so far forward that tractor frame will hit the landing gear, or the cab of the tractor hit the trailer during turns.

Landing Gear:

• Fully raised, no missing parts, not bent or otherwise damaged.
• Crank handle in place and secured.
• If power operated, no air or hydraulic leaks.

Double and Triple Trailers:

• Shut-off valves (at rear of trailers, in service and emergency lines). - Rear of front trailers: OPEN. - Rear of last trailer: CLOSED. - Converter dolly air tank drain valve: CLOSED.
• Be sure air lines are supported and glad hands are properly connected.
• If spare tire is carried on converter gear (dolly), make sure it’s secured.
• Be sure pintle-eye of dolly is in place in pintle hook of trailer(s).
• Make sure pintle hook is latched.
• Safety chains should be secured to trailer(s).
• Be sure light cords are firmly in sockets on trailers.

Additional Things to Check during a Walk-Around Inspection

Do these checks in addition to subsection 5.3, Inspecting Air Brake Systems.