Each time you take your truck out, we would recommend that you carry out a pre-trip inspection. This will minimize the chances of an accident occurring and keep you and your cargo safe. The tires are the main item you should check. It is essential that they are properly inflated and not compromised in any way shape or form. Keep the tires safe, and they will keep you safe according to an 18-wheeler accident attorney based in Texas.
For the purpose of predicting the inflation of your vehicle’s tires, the experts suggest using a calibrated air pressure gauge. They also suggest not to use the technique of “eyeballing” a tire to check its inflation, since it is not a very reliable technique! It is very common for tires to lose their air and an under inflated tire is the sole reason why tires fail during a trip and can sometimes cause the most fatal of highway accidents.
When the tires of a truck are under inflated, they lose their recommended shape and flatten which makes it hard for them to make contact with the road and run smoothly. This leads to failure of that tire and also requires more fuel to run which affects your costs as well.
However, under flatting of a tire is not the only problem. You should also check if your tire has over inflated. When your tire has more air than it should have, then the tire becomes too stiff. This also makes it hard for the tire to make proper contact with the road. As a result, your tire gets damaged by the bumps and debris on the road. Steering also becomes more difficult too.
Apart from your tires, it is also crucial to check your fuel, the brakes and checking if the wiring in your vehicle’s engine is connected. You must also make sure that your trailer is properly fastened. If not, then there is a chance that it might swerve across the road and cause a fatal accident.
All of these pre-trip inspection measures are necessary to avoid any sort of accidents on the highway. These safety measures also protect the health of your vehicle and help with maintenance costs. Without having to deal with any of these hassles, as a truck driver, you will be able to meet your deadlines in an efficient manner.