Trailer Inspection Form
The trailer pre-purchase checklist, ready to fill in at the trailer. Pick the type, work through each section, and download the report when you are done.
Trailer inspection form. A pre-purchase checklist written for trailers: 56 to 59 points across 12 sections. Mark each item Pass, Attention or Fail, add notes and readings, then download the report.
At a glance
- Utility, enclosed, gooseneck
- Axles and bearings, brakes and breakaway, coupler or kingpin, deck, lights, VIN plate.
- Downloads as a PDF report or a CSV
- Free, and nothing you type leaves your device
- VIN plate, certification label, GVWR and title
- Coupler and tongue, gooseneck coupler, or kingpin and upper coupler, by trailer type
- Axles, wheel bearings, springs or torsion arms
- Electric, surge or air brakes, and the breakaway switch and battery
- Frame, deck boards, ramps, an enclosed box, and every light
- A tow test and tire date codes
Want it inspected by someone who does this every day? The trailer inspection page explains what we check and how to book. Need a different form? Every one is on the inspection forms page.
Trailer and Inspection Details
Fill in what you know. Anything left blank prints as a dash on the report.
VIN Plate and Paperwork0 / 7
- VIN plate or stamped VIN matches the title
- Certification label: GVWR, GAWR, tire size
- Title or registration
- Home-built trailer: state-assigned VIN
- Annual inspection sticker (semi)
- Open recalls checked (NHTSA)
- Lien check
Readings
Coupler and Tongue0 / 9
- Coupler latch locks on the ball
- Ball size stamped on the coupler
- Coupler wear and cracks
- Tongue welds
- Tongue jack and foot
- Safety chains and hooks, rated and not welded
- Breakaway switch, pin and cable
- Breakaway battery charged and holds the brakes
- Plug pins and wiring along the tongue
Gooseneck Coupler or Pin Box0 / 7
- Coupler socket and latch
- Height adjustment pins
- Neck welds and cracks
- Safety chains
- Landing jacks, both legs
- Breakaway switch and battery
- 7-way plug
Kingpin and Upper Coupler0 / 9
- Kingpin wear and bend
- Upper coupler plate flat, no cracks
- Landing gear cranks in both speeds
- Landing gear legs and feet
- Gladhands and seals
- Air lines
- 7-way receptacle
- Rear impact guard and its label
- Reflective tape
Axles, Bearings and Suspension0 / 9
- Axles straight, tire wear shows a bent one
- Wheel bearing play, jacked and rocked
- Bearing grease or hub oil level
- Leaf springs, equalizers, hangers and shackle bolts
- Torsion axle arms sagging
- Air ride bags and height (semi)
- U-bolts tight
- Lug nuts
- Wheels, cracks and bent rims
Readings
Brakes: Electric, Surge or Hydraulic0 / 5
- Brakes respond to the controller
- Magnets and drums, or discs and pads
- Brake wiring
- Surge actuator and fluid (boat style)
- Brakes on every axle the law requires
Air Brakes0 / 6
- Brake chambers
- Slack adjusters and pushrod stroke
- Linings and drums
- Spring brakes apply when the red line is pulled
- Air lines and glad hands
- Trailer ABS light
Readings
Frame, Deck and Floor0 / 8
- Frame rails and crossmembers, cracks and rust
- Weld repairs
- Wood deck boards, rot and soft spots
- Steel deck or floor
- Ramps and ramp springs
- Stake pockets and D-rings
- Fenders
- Winch and plate, if fitted
Enclosed Box or Van0 / 7
- Walls and roof, leaks and stains
- Roof seams
- Rear doors or ramp door seals
- Side door and lock
- Floor soft over the axles
- Vents and interior lights
- Reefer unit runs and pulls down, if fitted
Lights and Wiring0 / 7
- Tail and brake lights
- Turn signals
- Clearance and side markers
- License plate light
- Wiring harness chafe and splices
- Junction box
- Reflectors
Tow Test0 / 6 passed
Tires and DOT DatesAge from the DOT code
The last four digits of the DOT code are the week and year it was made. Trailer tires usually age out before they wear out; many makers say replace them at 5 to 6 years.
| Position | DOT date | Age | Tread | PSI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Axle 1 left | – | |||
| Axle 1 right | – | |||
| Axle 2 left | – | |||
| Axle 2 right | – | |||
| Axle 3 left | – | |||
| Axle 3 right | – | |||
| Spare | – |
| Position | DOT date | Age | Tread | PSI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Axle 1 left | – | |||
| Axle 1 right | – | |||
| Axle 2 left | – | |||
| Axle 2 right | – | |||
| Axle 3 left | – | |||
| Axle 3 right | – | |||
| Spare | – |
| Position | DOT date | Age | Tread | PSI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Axle 1 left outer | – | |||
| Axle 1 left inner | – | |||
| Axle 1 right inner | – | |||
| Axle 1 right outer | – | |||
| Axle 2 left outer | – | |||
| Axle 2 left inner | – | |||
| Axle 2 right inner | – | |||
| Axle 2 right outer | – |
Additional Comments
Inspector Sign-Off
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