Do you feel safe on the highways and roads?

Question

I work for a company that services trucks, anything from a 19,500 lbs non-CDL box or dump truck and larger.

When doing inspections lately, we've had lots of people ask us to let "marginal" brakes pass. We really have a problem passing a vehicle that is so close to failure, that if it was brought in 500 miles later, it wouldn't pass. Lots of times we get marginal trucks early in the month, they pass. They are now good for a year. By the end of this month, maybe 2,000 miles later, there's no chance these trucks would pass. What do they care? They got their sticker. They never come back for service. I know fuel is expensive, but cutting corners on things like brakes is stupid, but it is happening every day, and more and more frequently. Certainly it's also in the automobile and light truck markets too.

Has the cost of fuel made you cut corners on maintaining your vehicle? Thanks for your response.

Answer 1

Nope, no cutting corners.  And, also, can't you put something on their sticker that said it marginally passed on such and such date?  Because, even if the business is cutting corners, they are putting people's lives in danger... and someone could get sued, heck, you might get sued.

Answer 2

if the brakes are thicker than the minium standard it is not your job to fail the truck, although you would be wise to notify the truck owner of your concern. drums and rotors are expensive and I don't believe a truck owner would go the extra expense for them to get one more month on the pads/ shoes. brakes are also a driver pre trip check item . maby the standard is to low.

Answer 3

Cutting corners on vehicle maintenance can mean the difference between staying alive or getting killed. I prefer to stay alive so I keep my car properly maintained.

Answer 4

no

Answer 5

I have been doing CVI inspections for over 19 years and I wont give them or anyone a break, close doesn't count in my book..........

Answer 6

I agree with Kyiran. By letting these brakes pass your company is putting all of us at risk.

And no, cutting corners always comes back to bite you in the end and ends up costing you more in the long run.

Answer 7

Cutting corners is good business... discount airline carriers cut corners everywhere, that is why they are called 'cost-cutters' or 'discount' carriers... yet they're doing the best in the market.

Passing truckers with marginal brakes is just good business strategy... they won't pay in the long run as long as their luck holds out, and if it doesn't, just publicly announce how safety will be greatly improved as the result of an accident.

I guess thats just my line of thinking until I, or someone I know, gets hurt/killed by someone who 'marginally' passed...