Ep 2: Minor vs Major Defects

Editor John G. Smith and Samantha Sarasin, Ontario Ministry of Transportation enforcement officer and provincial Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) instructor, explore the differences between major defects -- that immediately ground a vehicle -- and the identified minor defects that will allow trucks to continue their journey.

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.

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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 9: Trailer Sides

Editor John G. Smith and Samantha Sarasin, Ontario Ministry of Transportation enforcement officer and provincial Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) instructor, show what inspectors are looking for when they look down the sides of a typical van trailer.

Ep 4: First Things First

Every Level 1 Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance inspection begins with the same series of steps. Editor John G. Smith and Samantha Sarasin, Ontario Ministry of Transportation enforcement officer and provincial Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) instructor, explore what will happen when you pull into a roadside inspection facility.

Ep 8: The Duals

Editor John G. Smith and Samantha Sarasin, Ontario Ministry of Transportation enforcement officer and provincial Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) instructor, stop at a dual wheel assembly during a Level 1 inspection. There, they search for potential issues involving tire condition, spring hangers, fifth wheels and more.

Ep 12: Right Saddle Tank

When inspectors approach the right saddle tank on a truck, they are looking for more than potential fuel leaks. This is also where they are looking for signs of exhaust leaks -- and not all of them are created equal. 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 major and minor defects.

Ep 7: The Fuel Tank

Every driver needs to monitor their fuel, but they also need to keep a watchful eye on fuel and DEF tanks. Editor John G. Smith and Samantha Sarasin, Ontario Ministry of Transportation enforcement officer and provincial Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) instructor, explore what inspectors are looking for when they visit fuel tanks, steps, and air system gladhands.