John G. Smith is the editorial director of Newcom Media's trucking and supply chain publications -- including Today's Trucking, trucknews.com, TruckTech, Transport Routier, and Road Today. The award-winning journalist has covered the trucking industry since 1995.
Michelin unveils wheel with no air
MONTREAL, QC -- Looking not unlike a lushly blue life form on James Cameron's cinematic world of Pandora, the prototype of Michelin's Visionary concept tire glowingly held center stage on June 14 at the tire maker's Movin' On global conference on sustainable transportation.
Ep 1: An Introduction
Editor John G. Smith and Samantha Sarasin, Ontario Ministry of Transportation enforcement officer and provincial Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) instructor, introduce the video series that will explain every step in a CVSA inspection. And it answers a key question: What does a CVSA decal actually tell inspectors?
Ep 20: A Clean Inspection
Samantha Sarasin, Ontario Ministry of Transportation enforcement officer and provincial Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) instructor, presents driver Brad Barton of JG Drapeau a clean bill of health for the equipment inspected during our video series. Today's Trucking offers special thanks to Brad Barton, JG Drapeau, Sarasin, and the Ontario Ministry of Transportation for sharing all the steps in a Level 1 inspection.
Ep 19: Fifth Wheel
Tractors and trailers connect at the fifth wheel, and the so-called tug test is used to ensure there is no excessive play in the connection. Editor John G. Smith and Samantha Sarasin, Ontario Ministry of Transportation enforcement officer and provincial Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) instructor, explore the steps taken to ensure a secure connection.
Ep 18: In-Cab Inspection
A Level 1 inspection does not limit itself to components outside the truck. Enforcement teams will stop in the cab to review gauges, warning lights, steering wheels, seats and more. Editor John G. Smith and Samantha Sarasin, Ontario Ministry of Transportation enforcement officer and provincial Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) instructor, discuss the difference between the major and minor defects.
Ep 17: Tractor Protection Valve
Do you know why a tractor-trailer is equipped with a tractor protection valve? And do you know how enforcement teams will inspect it? Editor John G. Smith and Samantha Sarasin, Ontario Ministry of Transportation enforcement officer and provincial Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) instructor, explore the related steps.
Ep 16: Brake Adjustments
Brake adjustment continues to be the leading defect identified during roadside inspections. Editor John G. Smith and Samantha Sarasin, Ontario Ministry of Transportation enforcement officer and provincial Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) instructor, discuss how inspectors mark and measure the brakes.
Ep 15: Under the Truck
Samantha Sarasin, Ontario Ministry of Transportation enforcement officer and provincial Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) instructor, takes us under a tractor-trailer to discuss everything that enforcement teams are looking for when they climb onto a creeper and wheel their way underneath the vehicle.
Ep 14: Brake Components
Brakes continue to be the main source of defects identified during roadside inspections. Editor John G. Smith and Samantha Sarasin, Ontario Ministry of Transportation enforcement officer and provincial Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) instructor, explore the related components including brake chambers, slack adjusters and more. And do you know the size of chamber you have? It makes a difference.
Ep 13: Steering Components
Inspectors aren't looking at fluid levels when they pop open the hood during a Level 1 inspection. Editor John G. Smith and Samantha Sarasin, Ontario Ministry of Transportation enforcement officer and provincial Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) instructor, discuss the search for major defects including the steering components, pitman arm, suspension, brake chamber and more.