Page 105 - Draft 2023 2024 CDL Manual w Modernization Info
P. 105

Inspection:                                            •   Inspect that the drawbar ring or eye is secured to
           •   Inspect that the fifth wheel skid plate is securely   the trailer tongue and there are no loose or
               mounted to the vehicle by the fifth wheel             missing bolts, broken welds, or cracks.
               platform.                                          •   Inspect that the drawbar ring or eye is not worn.
           •   Inspect for cracks, breaks or excessive wear.      •   Inspect the trailer tongue for dents, twists, cracks,
           •   Inspect for proper lubrication, if applicable.        and broken welds and that the trailer tongue can
                                                                     support the weight of the load. If extendable,
           Kingpin, Apron & Gap                                      inspect that bolts, locking pins and cotter pins are
           Description:  Pin that attaches the semi-trailer to       in place.
           tractor (kingpin) and the metal plate attached to the   OR
           kingpin that provides the surface for resting the trailer
           on the fifth wheel (apron).                            ALL OTHER TYPES OF COMBINATIONS

           Why Inspect: Wear or damage to the kingpin can         Note: Coupling systems vary. If you have another type
           result in handling problems, rollover, or separation of   of coupling system, you will need to describe to the
           the tractor and trailer leading to a crash.            examiner how it works and what you are inspecting.
           Inspection:                                            Tow Hitch
           •   Inspect that the kingpin is in place and not bent,
               damaged or worn.                                   Description: Tow or receiver hitch and trailer ball,
           •   Inspect that the visible part of the apron is not  which the trailer coupler rests on.
               bent, cracked, or broken.                          Why Inspect: A faulty or damaged tow hitch or other
           •   Inspect that the trailer is lying flat on the fifth  mechanism and an improper connection between the
               wheel skid plate and there is no space between     power unit and the trailer can result in handling
               the apron and fifth wheel (no gap).                problems, rollover, or separation of the power unit and
           •   Inspect for proper lubrication, if applicable.     trailer leading to a crash.

           OR                                                     Inspection:
                                                                  •   Inspect that the tow hitch or other mechanism is
           FOR PINTLE HOOK COMBINATIONS ONLY                         securely mounted to the vehicle frame.  Inspect
           Pintle Hook                                               sway bar/control, if equipped.
                                                                  •   Inspect for loose or missing parts including
           Description: Tow hitch or receiving coupling which        mounting bolts, nuts, pins, brackets and clamps,
           the trailer drawbar ring/eye locks into.                  including the trailer ball or other mechanism.
           Why Inspect: A faulty or damaged pintle hook and an    •   Inspect for cracks, breaks or excessive wear.
           improper connection between the power unit and the     Trailer Coupler & Tongue
           trailer can result in handling problems, rollover, or
           separation of the power unit and trailer leading to a   Description: Trailer coupler attached to the front of
           crash.                                                 the trailer tongue that latches to the trailer hitch and
                                                                  trailer ball. The trailer tongue that extends from the
           Inspection:                                            trailer's main body frame to allow for coupling and
           •   Inspect that the pintle hook is securely mounted   turning.
               to the vehicle frame.
           •   Inspect for loose or missing parts including       Why Inspect: Wear, damage, cracks or improper
               mounting bolts, nuts, pins, brackets and clamps.   welds in the trailer coupler and trailer tongue may
           •   Inspect for cracks, breaks or excessive wear.      result in loss of the trailer, leading to a crash.
           Trailer Drawbar Ring & Tongue                          Inspection:
                                                                  •   Inspect that the trailer coupler is not bent or
           Description: Trailer drawbar ring or eye attached to      twisted.
           the front of the trailer tongue that secures into the   •  Inspect that the trailer coupler is secured to the
           pintle hook for coupling. The trailer tongue that         trailer tongue and there are no loose or missing
           extends from the trailer's main body frame to allow for   bolts, broken welds, or cracks.
           coupling and turning.                                  •   Inspect that the trailer coupler is not worn.
           Why Inspect: Wear, damage, cracks or improper          •   Inspect the trailer tongue for dents, twists, cracks,
           welds in the drawbar ring and trailer tongue may result   and broken welds and that the trailer tongue can
           in loss of the trailer leading to a crash.                support the weight of the load. If extendable,
                                                                     inspect that bolts, locking pins and cotter pins are
           Inspection:                                               in place.
           •   Inspect that the drawbar ring or eye is not bent or
               twisted.

           Section 11  M - Vehicle Inspection
           Version: September 9, 2022                        106
   100   101   102   103   104   105   106   107   108   109   110