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As an owner operator, the health and safety of your truck is the most important thing in keeping the business stable and running. What’s also essential is the quality of the chassis that you use to haul intermodal containers. Any problems that the chassis may have could affect the container and your truck if something out of the ordinary were to happen, so it’s important to inspect the chassis pre-trip.

This video from the Intermodal Association of America (IANA) goes over everything you need to do in a pre-check, and for now we are going to highlight some of the main points that are important to look over during an inspection.

The Front of the Chassis

Inspect the fifth wheel locking mechanism to ensure a secure connection. Verify that the locking jaws are fully closed around the kingpin, the release handle is in the locked position, and there is no excessive gap between the fifth wheel and the trailer. These checks help prevent container detachment and ensure safe operation during transit.

Check the seven-way connector in the front of the chassis to ensure that the lights can operate. This includes checking the plug, lid, and pins to verify that everything is in place for a connection.

Right next to the connector will be the gladhands, and it’s important to make sure they are sturdy and able to connect the emergency and service lines to the chassis.

The Side Inspection

Some of the key features of a side chassis inspection include checking the landing gear to see if all of the bolts are present and in place, as well as making sure there aren’t any cracks that could affect the level of the container during the loading/unloading process.

While you’re down checking out the landing gear, there’s also time to make sure that the registration plate is present and visible. Here you can also verify that the chassis number is correct and the registration date has not expired.

The tandem needs to slide correctly in place so that the weight of the freight inside the container is correctly distributed. Furthermore, a warehouse may require that the tandem is shifted, so it’s also a way to stay compliant with the warehouse.

When checking the brakes underneath the chassis, use a go/no-go gauge to measure the brake lining. It should be at least a quarter-inch. And with the suspension, it’s important to note that the spring isn’t broken.

Finally, there’s a general vanity lookover, where you’re going to want to check the tires and container for any holes or damage that can either cause further damage to the tires or prevent the container from being accepted at the warehouse.

If during any of these processes, you find anything damaged or missing, it’s important to get it taken care of at the rail yard, where service is free. Once you leave with the container, the rail will transfer responsibility, and anything wrong with the container will be on you.

All it takes is one inspection before the trip starts to save you from having an expensive headache later on during the trip.

Last Updated February 2025