Recovery Truck Check List
With recovery truck insurance in place, it is also important to keep your vehicle road safe. To ensure your recovery vehicle remains legal, it is best practice performing a walk around check before each trip. This is even more applicable in bad weather or when the vehicle you drive may change based on shift patterns, should you be working for a large recovery company with a fleet of recovery pickups. For a complete comprehensive guide with advice and tips, please refer to this government complied document for drivers of recovery trucks.
Check The Steering Mechanism
Check for any oil leaks and when driving, knocking noises are normally a precursor to something more serious and should be investigated without any delay before it turns into an expensive fix.
Headlamps, Beacons and Lamps
Check for damage to the glass and discolouration of the casing, and check mounting, so they are angled to avoid blinding oncoming drivers.
Speed Limiter
If your recovery vehicle is fitted with this device, ensure calibration is correctly set with appropriate plaque and seals.
Fuel system
Check the fuel lines for leaks or damaged seals, start it up and check exhaust, any black fumes are a danger sign and should be further checked by the mechanic before taking to the road.
Reflectors
Check for missing or damaged reflectors, both sides and rear of your recovery vehicle.
Suspension
Check the recovery vehicle sits squarely and listen for any knocking noises from this region whilst driving. If lopsided, something is wrong and needs further checking by your truck mechanic.
Wheels and Tryes
Check nuts are secure, when parking try and avoid direct sunlight as they lead to perished rubber, also vary the resting position of wheels when parked. Check tyre thread is at least 1 mm.
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