CDL PRE-TRIP FIFTH WHEEL AND CONNECTIONS

• DOT Stickers:

“Properly mounted and secured, clean and visible.”

• Slide Bar Assembly:

Securement:  All nuts and bolts are present and is properly mounted and secured.

Condition:  Not broken, cracked, damaged.  

• Work Light and Assembly:

Securement:  All nuts and bolts are present and is properly mounted and secured.

Condition:  Not broken, cracked, damaged.  Rubber seal is not cut, cracked or frayed.  Has no condensation.

• Emergency Line *(grab red line) Service Line *(grab blue line) Fittings, Glad Hands

and Rubber Seals:

Securement:  All nuts and bolts are present and is properly mounted and secured.

Condition:  Not broken, cracked, damaged.  Has no audible air leaks.  “Glad hands are clean and clear of any grease, oil, water or foreign debris.”  

• Electrical Line, fittings, Plug, Plug In and Prongs 

Securement:  Properly mounted and secured.

Condition:  Not broken, cracked, damaged, cut or frayed No exposed wires.  “Prongs are all present, Plug, plug in and prongs is clean and clear of any foreign debris.  Air and electrical lines not dragging and has enough slack for turns.”

• Cat Walk:

Securement:  All nuts and bolts are present and is properly mounted and secured.

Condition:  Not broken, cracked, damaged or twisted.  “Cat walk is clean and clear of any foreign debris.”

• Adequate spacing:

“There’s adequate amount of spacing between the header board and the back of the cab to allow for turning.”

• Skid Plate and Apron:

Securement:  All nuts and bolts are present and is properly mounted and secured.

Condition:  Not broken, cracked, damaged or twisted.  

• Platform, Mounting Plate and Mounting Bolts:

Securement:  All nuts and bolts are present and is properly mounted and secured.

Condition:  Not broken, cracked, damaged or twisted.  Has no re-welds.  

• Release Lever, Spring, and Safety Latch:

Securement:  All nuts and bolts are present and is properly mounted and secured.

Condition:  Not broken, cracked, damaged or twisted.  Has no re-welds.  Release lever is in the lock position.

• Fifth Wheel, Clevis Pins and Tongues:

Securement:  All nuts and bolts are present and is properly mounted and secured.

Condition:  Not broken, cracked, damaged.  “Fifth wheel and clevis pins are properly greased.  There is no space, gap or lighting between my apron and fifth wheel.  Throat is free and clear from any foreign debris.  From this view I can see the Locking Jaws around the Shank.  There’s 2 ways to tell if the trailer is connected to the tractor properly, visually or a tug test.”

• Locking Jaw:

Securement:  Properly mounted and secured.

Condition:  Not broken, cracked, damaged.  

• Head, Shank and Kingpin:

Securement:  Properly mounted and secured.

Condition:  Not broken, cracked, damaged.  

• Adequate spacing:

“There’s adequate amount of spacing between the landing gear and the back of the tractor to allow for turning.”