When should you perform a visual inspection of your trailer before hitting the road?

Performing a visual inspection of your trailer before every trip is essential for ensuring safety and compliance with regulations. This practice helps to identify any potential issues such as tire wear, lights not functioning, or structural damage that could lead to hazardous situations on the road. Regular inspections before each trip also foster a habit of checking all aspects of the trailer, thereby reducing the risk of accidents caused by mechanical failures or overlooked maintenance.

While inspecting the trailer only when it is loaded or after lengthy stops might catch some issues, these practices are not comprehensive enough to ensure the trailer's condition. An inspection once a week fails to account for changes that could occur from trip to trip or even during a single trip, particularly with high mileage or heavy loads. Therefore, conducting a visual inspection before each journey is the most responsible approach to maintain safety and efficiency in trucking operations.