Vehicle Inspection & DVIR · PDF template
Free Trailer Inspection Checklist
A trailer-specific inspection checklist covering coupling, brakes, lighting, tires, and structure, for the parts of a combination vehicle a tractor walkaround can miss. Use it alongside our fleet calculators to size the costs this template tracks, or browse fleet management software when you are ready to automate the workflow. See all downloads in the template library, and check the fleet glossary for any unfamiliar terms.
Built and reviewed by the FleetOpsClub research team. Preview it free below.
- Checks for the fifth wheel / coupling, kingpin, and safety connections
- Trailer brake, ABS, and air-line inspection points
- Lighting, reflector, and conspicuity-tape checks across the trailer
- Tire, wheel, landing gear, and structural / floor items
- Editable CSV. Yours to keep
- Print or save as PDF
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How to use it
- 1
Inspect the trailer while it is coupled and again as you connect or drop it, so coupling items are verified live.
- 2
Walk the trailer fully (front, both sides, rear, and underneath), marking each item OK or defect.
- 3
Pull each glad-hand / air-line connection and test the trailer brakes and ABS lamp.
- 4
Confirm lighting, reflectors, and conspicuity tape are present and functional along the full length.
- 5
Log defects, and don't move a trailer with a coupling, brake, or tire defect until it's corrected.
What's inside
- Checks for the fifth wheel / coupling, kingpin, and safety connections
- Trailer brake, ABS, and air-line inspection points
- Lighting, reflector, and conspicuity-tape checks across the trailer
- Tire, wheel, landing gear, and structural / floor items
- An ungated, printable format that pairs with the tractor pre-trip
Preview the template
Here's a real sample of the layout — the actual columns and structure you'll work in. The complete template, plus the editable spreadsheet, unlocks the moment you enter your email.
Preview
Trailer Inspection Checklist
Coupling & Connections
- Fifth wheel locked, no gap to trailer plate
- Kingpin and apron condition
- Safety latch / locking jaws engaged
- Glad-hand seals and air-line condition
- Electrical pigtail / 7-way connector secure
+1 more item in this section
Brakes & Air System
+5 more items in this section
Lighting & Conspicuity
+5 more items in this section
Tires, Wheels & Landing Gear
+5 more items in this section
Structure, Doors & Cargo Area
+5 more items in this section
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the questions buyers usually ask once the category, software, or rollout details start getting more specific.
Yes. The trailer is part of the combination vehicle and is covered by inspection and DVIR requirements. A tractor-only walkaround misses the coupling, trailer brakes, and trailer lighting: inspect both.
A properly locked fifth wheel with no visible gap, engaged locking jaws, and intact safety connections. A coupling defect can cause a trailer separation, so treat any uncertainty here as out-of-service.
A refrigerated trailer adds the cooling unit, fuel, and temperature controls to the checklist. Use a dedicated reefer-unit inspection checklist for those items in addition to this structural trailer check.
Confirm the trailer ABS warning lamp cycles and then clears as part of the pre-trip. A lamp that stays lit indicates a fault that should be diagnosed before the trailer is dispatched.