AMSA Safety Conference Trailer Maintenance October 2012 Bruce Anthony

1. AMSA Safety Conference Trailer Maintenance October 2012 Bruce Anthony

2. Our History…

3. History of Innovation, Leadership, & Custom Manufacturing The Original Kentucky Wagon Manufacturing Company 2601 South 3rd Street Louisville, Kentucky

4. Old Hickory: State Of The Art Farm Wagon Kentucky Trailer traces its roots to 1879, when the Kentucky Wagon Manufacturing Company was founded in Louisville, Kentucky. In addition to many models of specialty wagons, Kentucky Wagon produced "The Old Hickory" and "The Tennessee," two of the nation’s most popular horse-drawn wagon models. The quality and durability of Kentucky Wagon's products were unmatched, and Kentucky Wagon became the largest wagon manufacturer in North America.

5. The Dixie Flyer In 1916, Kentucky Wagon was mindful of changing tides in America’s growing transportation needs. In 1916, Kentucky Wagon began building automobile bodies for the Hercules Motor Car Company of New Albany, Indiana. Kentucky Wagon later bought Hercules Motor Cars' assets and moved its auto production operation to 2601 South Third Street in Louisville, Kentucky--a move that made Kentucky Wagon the first automobile manufacturer in Louisville. At that site--which remained the company's primary manufacturing facility until June 2009--the Dixie Flyer motor car was designed and built. The Dixie Motor Car Company manufactured automobiles, delivery trucks, and the two-seat Dixie Firefly--the only known surviving example of which now resides in the Kentucky Trailer Heritage Museum at Kentucky Trailer’s main production plant in Louisville, Kentucky.

6. Kentucky Trailer Background Tracing our roots to 1879, Kentucky Trailer has been an innovative leader in the transportation business. Today, Kentucky Trailer is the nation’s leading manufacturer of custom moving vans for all moving and storage companies like United, Mayflower, North American, Allied, and Atlas and additional fleet and special application customers including Frito-Lay, FedEx and UPS. With three locations in Kentucky, two in Michigan, and one in California – our multiple locations help Kentucky Trailer to provide a full range of services, from design, manufacture, paint, and trailer reconditioning.

7. Roadside Inspections - The Vicious Cycle • What sidelines a unit for inspection? • 1/3 Observable Defects • 1/3 Speed • 1/3 ISS (Inspection Selection System) Score • Observable defects and speed account for 2/3 of roadside inspection initiators. • ISS number is an outgrowth of driver performance. • Manage the 2/3 and the ISS will improve. • 1-5 MPH Over – In 2011 Indiana issued 53.3 % of all the 1-5 MPH citations in this class for the entire country. • DO NOT SPEED IN INDIANA

8. What Can Be Done To Reduce The Observable Defects? Most HHG Carriers use 2 DOT inspections per year. Most of the trailers are pulled by owner operators – they are the eyes and ears for the agent. Before Auto Slack Adjusters: Brakes were adjusted monthly by owner operators. Used a mattress carton, or old pad slid under the trailer, adjusted the brakes and inspected. With Automatic Slack Adjusters: Underneath inspection by driver or mechanic stopped other than the biannual DOT. Many drivers now rely on the lube bay mechanic to notify them of problems when the tractor is being serviced. The question is not does the trailer pass DOT, but will it make it until the next inspection?

9. Dynamics that Create a Perfect Storm for Equipment • Liquid magnesium chloride road treatments • Extended time intervals on trailer replacements • States have gone to liquid surface treatment in snow season. THIS NEVER STOPS CORRODING! • We are seeing electrical connection corrosion failures like never before. • Compared to salt, liquid surface treatments need scrubbing action to break the cycle. • Pressure washing does not stop the cycle of corrosion. • Many agents and carriers have slowed trailer replacement cycles, which is causing maintenance issues to develop more often if not caught by the driver. • DRIVERS are the key in the process to minimize equipment failures and avoid CSA points while in service.

10. Trailer Inspection Suggestions • Emphasis will be on trailer inspection, but many items also apply to tractors. • #1 - Must choose a competent facility for DOT and trailer repairs. • Replace tires and brakes on a scheduled interval – not just where you happen to be. • Is there enough tire tread depth and/or brake lining depth to go 6 more months? • If not, when will you plan for replacement time? • Choose a service center that has appropriate parts and trained personal for your repair. • Schedule with service locations that you know are competent, and have a vested interest in your satisfaction.

11. Trailer Inspection Suggestions - continued #2 – At least once a month, the driver must do an underneath inspection of their trailer. Inspect Trailer front to rear starting underneath. Inexpensive creeper and strong flashlight - agent or carrier may offer to supply. Condition of landing gear.

12. Kingpin Coupler Assembly

13. Exposed hanging wires or hoses. Storage box floor bracing.

14. Tires and Suspension • Check that hoses are not rubbing • on top of axles. • Pay special attention to the inside tires.

15. Air leaks – use a spray bottle with soap water to find air bubbles. Airbag condition and piston base check for breaks or cracks. • Check shocks and bushings.

16. Suspension and pivot connections: • Check that bolts are tight – no movement at washer collar or rust rubbing movement. • Check plastic washer on both sides of beam end.

17. Check brake lining – thickness-brake jacking-corrosion on steel shoe surface.

18. Brake Hardware

19. Check wheel seal

20. Auto slack adjuster – Do not adjust • If the driver is comfortable doing this, check measurement of brake stroke parked and released.

21. Check condition of greased fittings and bushings. Dry, good, or too much.

22. At Rear of Trailer Check: • Condition of the tire carrier and welds Rear taillights and wiring

23. DOT bumper

24. Above Ground Check oil cap – leak, proper fluid level, contaminated. Check lug nuts are tight

25. Wheel end failures - major challenge to our industry. • Loss of fluid, run dry, bearings overheat, seize to spindle, and explosion. • May cause loss of wheel hub and drum assembly.

26. What is the solution? • Digital heat sensor – may be used to check wheel end. • Check temperature after running. • All wheel ends should be similar in temperature, not exceeding 240 degrees. • Wheel bearing adjustments are critical for minimizing this failure. We recommend: • Use a dial indicator to set the bearing play. • Wheel end play should be 1,000 to 5,000 tolerances.

27. Exterior Lighting : • Check for cracked marker light lenses and no loose or exposed wires. • All lights must work if they are displayed on the unit.

28. Exterior Condition: Belly box condition

29. Exterior Condition: Top rail edges / roof

30. Exterior Condition: Top rail edges / roof

31. Think of what an inspector will see at eye level as the unit passes thru a scale. • Bent DOT bumper. • Wheel hub caps that are leaking. • Storage box latches missing or broken. • Cracked wheel to wheel fairings on the tractor. • Movers tape used to secure mirrors and other tractor/trailer parts. • Tire tread depth. • Encourage these deficiencies to be repaired immediately!

32. TIPS – The Rest of the Story • Re-undercoat in drop and wheel areas every two-three years, as needed.

33. TIPS – The Rest of the Story… continued Keep unit washed, and wheels white and clean.

34. TIPS – The Rest of the Story… continued • Open all doors at least once a month - especially deck and R/S belly box doors. • Avoid flat spotting tires in 180 degree turns – pencil eraser. • Alternate driver side and passenger side. • Check proper tire Inflation one time every two weeks with a gauge. • Consider automatic tire inflation system on future units.

35. ACTION PLAN: • Do a walk around of all units from a DOT perspective with your drivers. • Will it make it to the next DOT inspection? • Schedule bake and tire replacement with vendors of your choice. • Award drivers for their performance on the road. • Put training measures in place to arm your drivers with the knowledge necessary to catch issues before being cited. • What can Kentucky provide to help you in these efforts?

36. Thank You For Attending !