A friend says a pre-trip inspection is like Bigfoot, everyone has heard of it but no one has ever seen one. Ha Ha, that tells you how often one actually sees another driver doing a pre-trip or a post trip inspection. The thing is, most drivers drive the same vehicle every day and know when there is something amiss.
However, in the FMCSR (Federal Motor Carriers Safety Regulations) 396.11, the law reads (paraphrasing) that a vehicle inspection MUST be done every day. Up until earlier this year this had to be done in writing and signed by the driver. Now the report only needs to be in writing if there is a defect detected. I'm not sure about you but if I find something wrong that may get me stopped for an inspection, I’m going to fix it or get it fixed before I report anything. It's kinda like doing a pre-inspection inspection, getting repairs done then doing the pre-trip inspection. For this reason I have never turned in an inspection report with a defect as an owner operator.
With this truck we ordered it with disc brakes for two reasons, one, for better stopping power and lower maintenance costs, and two, quicker, easier inspections. The inspections are easier and quicker because there are no slack adjusters or brake stroke measurements to be taken. We do still check for air leaks and pressure losses during application or brakes. I have always been a nut about air leaks, I believe a truck should hold full pressure almost indefinitely, unless there are other forces using air. The cab/sleeper is air ride on most trucks these days so entering and exiting will use some air, but other than that it should hold most of the pressure. I have spent days, literally, under our trucks with a squirt bottle of soapy water finding and repairing minute air leaks. Sometimes it is just tightening a fitting other times the fitting must be replaced, find'em and fix'em.
Lights are something that are easy to check and easy to fix if there is a problem. Fix them or get them fixed before you move that truck, it could save you a headache later. Some drivers will say the only reason for these regulations is revenue for the DOT. I will disagree, some are over imposing, but for the most part they are for your and the other drivers safety, see and be seen.
You can tell if the wiper blades need replaced, do it. If the windshield is cracked or chipped, there are specifications on how long the crack can be or how big the chip can be before being a violation, for me a crack means it's time for a new windshield. We went long enough without a new windshield once it got difficult to see when the sun was just right due to normal sand pitting, we don't wait that long anymore, glass is to cheap.
Open the hood, look at all the belts, hoses and all the hard parts. Check the oil, coolant and power steering fluids, look for leaks. Things can happen while driving that can shut you down, but if you do a walk around every time you stop, these should be minimalized. When you stop in a rest area coming back to the truck look under it for any fluid that may have come from your truck. Be vigilant and you will be safer and happier out here. Do your inspections and get things fixed as needed.