DAILY VEHICLE INSPECTION
Whether or not it is required by your company or by the local transportation authority, WreckMaster strongly recommends a detailed and thorough daily circle check of both your truck and your equipment. Missed issues with equipment or forgotten items will impact both how efficiently a tow, transport or recovery can be handled as well as how long the job will take.
This check should be properly documented and filed for every vehicle used. If an operator switches to another vehicle within the same work day, it is highly recommended to conduct a thorough check even if the vehicle has been inspected that day.
CONDUCTING AN INSPECTION
The following graphic is a good outline of the items that should be inspected during a routine circle check. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the local transportation authority’s guidelines for what must be inspected daily on your vehicle.
STOWED ITEMS
During the inspection, be sure to also make a full examination of your stowed items, including items required for towing such as straps and hooks, as well as service and incident management items such as Traffic cones or chains. Check the volume or inventory or your service items and replenish anything that is missing.
Your circle check should include the inspection of the following stowed items:
- WreckMaster Skates
- Traffic Cones / Pylons
- Fluids – engine oil, windshield fluid, transmission
- Straps
- Chains
- Hooks
- Fire extinguisher
- Brooms or shovels
- First aid kit
EQUIPMENT CHECKLIST
When inspecting the engine, check the following items:
- Oil
- Windshield washer fluid
- Battery
- Radiator and coolant
- Transmission fluids
- Fuel level
Most importantly when conducting a daily truck and equipment inspection is ensuring the truck itself is in appropriate condition to be performing towing operations. A full inspection of the truck’s engine, body, wheels and towing equipment is required.
When inspecting the vehicle, inspect the following items:
- Exhaust
- Brake lights and turn signals
- Lights and beacons
- Doors
- Seat belts
- Mud flaps
- Suspension
- Windshield wipers
- Windows
- Mirrors
- Horn
- Fuel tanks
- Parking brake
- Tires
- Wheels (rims, lug nuts)
ENGINE
Check the condition carefully of the following items:
- Boom
- Winch line and hooks
- Winch
- Wrecker controls
- Wire rope
- Dollies
- Lift cylinder
- Wrecker mast
- Secondary attachment points
BODY & WHEELS
n addition to the items listed above, WreckMaster recommends carrying the following items in your truck during daily operations. If these are included, be sure to inspect them prior to leaving the yard.
- Pocket knife / multi-tool
- Extra uniform
- Credit card
- Cell phone
- Cell phone charger / battery pack
- Water
- Extra PPE items
- Duct tape
- Business cards
- Extra invoice book
- Maps and/or a GPS
- List of emergency contact numbers