With the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s International Roadcheck around the corner, several trucking safety brands are offering free training and advice to help fleets prepare for roadside inspections.

This year’s Roadcheck takes place from June 6-8 and will put special emphasis on cargo securement. During the three-day event, CVSA-certified commercial vehicle inspectors around North America will conduct inspections of commercial vehicles and their drivers.

Cargo Securement Training

Instructional Technologies Inc. is offering free cargo securement training ahead of and after the 2017 Roadcheck. From now until June 15, ITI will offer its Flatbed Safety class free of charge. The course focuses on securement rules for flatbed cargo as well as safe operating instructions for securing cargo. Topics include working load limits, anchoring straps, proper use of tie down bars, PPE for flatbed operations, working at heights, and interacting with forklifts or cranes.

The Importance of Maintenance

Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems is offering advice to fleets preparing for the inspection blitz, emphasizing the attention to detail required in fleet and vehicle operation. Regular and thorough maintenance is a key component of safe commercial vehicle operation, according to Bendix, and the company stresses a two-level approach.

The first level is the pre-trip visual inspection: Drivers should never get behind the wheel without a walk-around look for loose hoses, damaged or dangling brake components like air chambers and pushrods, and similar obvious problems. If a vehicle is equipped with an active safety system that includes a forward-facing radar unit or camera, these components need to be kept clear of obstructions like snow, ice, and road debris.

The second level is preventive maintenance: Regularly scheduled, bumper-to-bumper review of a vehicle. Where the air brakes are concerned, in-the-shop inspections should include conducting a 90 to 100 psi brake application and listening for leaks; examining friction for minimum thickness and good condition; checking rotors or drums for signs of dragging brakes or friction issues; and measuring the chamber stroke at each wheel-end to make sure the brakes are in proper adjustment. Violations in any of these categories can lead to fines or being placed out-of-service under CVSA guidelines.

Additionally, if it’s time to replace any parts of the braking system – particularly in the case of relining brakes – Bendix stresses the importance of selecting components that will ensure the original equipment manufacturer requirements are met.

“Achieving the best, safest performance from a braking system means getting the most out of each part,” said Keith McComsey, director, marketing and customer solutions, Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake. “And it continues up the line with connected safety systems: Just like the stopping power of a high-performance brake can be undercut by inferior friction or a twisted shoe, the effectiveness of a full-stability or collision mitigation system will be negatively impacted if the brakes aren’t performing at their peak.”

Vehicle Inspection Software

Whip Around has announced that it will be offering a new basic version of its vehicle inspection software for free in time for the 2017 International Roadcheck. The latest upgrade to its vehicle inspection software is set to provide organizations with increased data collection, deep analytics, and leaderboards across a fleet. The service will enable smaller operators to benefit from Whip Around’s mobile vehicle inspection app (e-DVIR) and its cloud-based manager’s dashboard for free.

The free version of Whip Around supports up to three vehicles, one driver, one manager, and one form. At any time, a fleet can upgrade to a premium subscription from $20 per month which will support unlimited drivers, their chosen fleet size, unlimited customized forms and a faults management module.

Don't Forget Tires and Wheels

Goodyear is reminding fleets that while cargo securement is being emphasized this year,  tire and wheel violations accounted for 18.5% of all out-of-service violations last year. CVSA inspectors examine tire pressure, tread depth, and overall tire condition in their inspections. With nearly 200 locations in the U.S., Goodyear Commercial Tire & Service Centers is offering tire checks, trailer-readiness inspections, and other services to help ensure that tires in trucks are in working order. Goodyear CTSC locations also offer Goodyear Trailer-Readiness inspections, during which trained tire professionals inspect trailer lights, wheel seals, reflective tape, mud flaps, and other items. Findings are then made available to fleets and owner-operators through a secure online portal.

“Tire, bus, and truck inspections are an important part of the CVSA International Roadcheck program,” said Collin Mooney, CVSA executive director.  “Fleets and owner-operators should not only ensure their tires and commercial motor vehicles are in proper working order before next month’s International Roadcheck, but an ongoing, proactive vehicle maintenance program is essential in helping ensure the vehicles traveling our highways are road-ready and in top vehicle health every day of the year.”