I’m curious.
Considering a trailer/unit can have 16+ tyres.
And apparently its 3 points for a dodgy tyre.
Personally I only think the only proper way to check a tyre is to check all of it. Not just the front of the tyre but to get under the unit /trailer and look for bulges on the other sides.
That being said I do not do that. I spend about 10 secs on each tyre just making sure the nuts look right and there is plenty of tread on them.
If it’s the same truck and or trailer I’ve used recently, not long maybe 5-10 secs. per. If it’s one I’ve not used in a while I’ll take a more proper look, up to 30 secs. I guess - I never timed it; though our co. is pretty spot on on maintenance I’ve never seen a tyre even close to being worn out though I’ve seen some badly curbed ones, a bulge hre or there but you have to look carefully not just from afar and for God’s sake why do some drivers kick their tyres - I did that once as a newb and hurt so bad I’ve never done it again never mind I don’t see the point in that
ETS:
and for God’s sake why do some drivers kick their tyres
Because on a twin wheel hub without a load or a light load on one can be normally inflated and the other one be a flat but look fine
You are more likely to hurt your toe of bark your shins kicking an inner tyre than tell whether it is nearly flat.
Unless you have access to a pit, you can’t properly examine the tyres.
Really all a driver can do is to check tread depth, outer sidewall for damage, and pressure.
I don’t think that DVSA will hold the driver responsible for a defect which they could not, realistically, be expected to see in a daily check.
I reckon truck and trailer - 3-4 mins for the whole lot. Each tyre/wheel… probably 20-30 secs. A broad visual check of the outer wall, a quick torch swipe around the tread (except the part touching the ground - I don’t roll the vehicle forward for that), a kick, and a very quick hand check of the nuts - two at a time.
cav551:
You are more likely to hurt your toe of bark your shins kicking an inner tyre than tell whether it is nearly flat.
As Conor said, raise suspension to get mudflaps higher, hold onto trailer, stoopy down, and extend leg so sole of boot hits tyre.
Might not be well described, but it works for me.
Inner tyres, I raise suspension, then bash the tyre with my palm. If it “feels a bit spongy” then I deem it flat, it it “feels solid” it’s good to go.