International Roadcheck 2022: What You Need To Know

The supply chain industry is getting ready to face 2022’s International Roadcheck on May 17th-19th. This was determined by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) and entails a 72-hour inspection of commercial motor vehicles, every year with a different focus. This year’s focus is on wheel ends.

Why is this important?

According to past data gathered from International Roadchecks, wheel end components are among the top ten vehicle violations. Wheel end components offer support to heavy loads, stability, control and are needed for braking. Failures can cause fatal crashes, which is why it’s important to check these components before and after trips.

Essential information

When: Tuesday, May 17th – Thursday, May 19th

Where: U.S., Canada, & Mexico

Driver inspection focus: Driver’s operating requirements

Vehicle inspection focus: Vehicle mechanical fitness & wheel end or wheel-bearing problems 

What’s important for carriers?

The examination begins with revision of truck driver operating requirements and vehicle mechanical fitness, and then the focus goes on wheels, rims and hubs of the commercial motor vehicle. The following aspects will be revised at checkpoints:

• Cracks or unseated locking rings, studs or clamps.
• Bent, cracked or broken rims on the inside and outside wheel rims.
• Loose, broken, missing or damaged wheel fasteners and elongated stud holes.
• Cracks on spoke wheels across spokes, web area or slippage in the clamp areas.
• Lubricant leaks, missing caps or plus on the hub.
• Leaks on the inner wheel seal.
• Leaks on the tire and valve stem.
• Proper inflation, cuts and bulges on all tires, including inside tire on a dual set.
• Regrooved tires on steering axle.
• Tread wear and measure major tread groove depth.
• Sidewall for improper repairs, like tire plugs.
• Exposed fabric or cord.
• Tire contact with any part of the vehicle.
• Markings on the tire that would exclude its use on a steering axle.
• Debris between tires.
• Tires touching one another or any part of the vehicle.

Be sure to check the components listed during pre- and post-trip inspections.

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What’s important for shippers?

Shippers moving cargo during these dates should expect some delays in transit times, as well as in the assignment of available operators and units due to reduced capacity. However, though it is important to keep these constraints in mind, most carriers will operate as usual, and with a little extra planning and patience, your shipments should go according to plan.

• Lead times: include some extra time to source your trucks
• Flexibility: delays are normal, so try to be accommodating with your drivers and flexible about your delivery dates and times, especially when shipping non-urgent cargo
• Communication: keep open and honest lines of communication with your carriers, especially about layover accessorials and other policies that could affect their payment