our trls use these
linkmfg.com/catseye/catseye.html
shine your torch on the cats eye and your good to go
My eldest son worked for a large tyre firm here in Oz. He was fitting for a few years and then got the job of driving around in a ute to different transport yards doing pressure and condition checks and torquing wheel nuts. He didn’t have to take wheels off or strip and fit, but the ■■■■■■■ idiot left that job and went back fitting for another firm. 
Don’t they have that sort of thing over there ?
Foxstein:
How many drivers know the correct pressure? Especially if your in a different truck regularly
6x2,
110-120 front.
100-110 mid.
90-100 drive.
4x2,
105-115 front.
90-100 drive.
Not exact, As there are many factors and calculations to take into account. But it’ll do.
Some pretty odd answers on this thread!
First question then - “What is the correct tyre pressure?” Answer - there probably isn’t one. Different brands, differing jobs/environment/load etc etc will dictate different pressures to get the best grip/wear/mileage etc
Most places think of a number, round it up and call it the tyre pressure 
When I was involved in tyre trials with Michelin it took quite a bit of effort to get to the best pressure for what we did. This was worked out over months of monitoring routes, weights, distances, fuel useage and tyre wear. Technical stuff.
As far as the law is concerned it just has to be sufficiently inflated but doesn’t define exactly what that is - a little ambiguous. It is apparently a decision for the enforcing officer and will be based on a visual check.
FOr example - a recover guy I know was fined for an under inflated tyre whilst carrying a full artic/trailer combination. He admitted his rear tyres looked soft. WHen the load was take off and the tyres checked at cold - 100 psi. Obviously with that load in that position, 100 psi is not sufficient.
From a drivers point of view I advocate a visual check. If it looks OK it probably is. And of course check it after the vehicle is loaded as well. A tyre that is sufficiently inflated when unladen may not be sufficiently inflated once loaded. Monitoring tread wear can also be a very good way of checking tyre pressures. i.e. centre wear or outter wear to indicate under or over inflation.
From a safety point of view and thinking of the good old Health & Safety at Work Act, I wouldn’t supply my drivers with pressure guages or inflation equipment. I tried to come up with a suitable risk assessment for doing so and couldn’t eliminate or reduce the risks (have you seen what 100+ psi can do to a human?). My risk assessments determined the task should be carried out in a workshop environment by trained ‘technicians’ with appropriate equipment.
In answer to the OP’s question. They should be checked whenever the driver raises the issue or alternatively at 6 weekly inspections. Personally I would advise at least monthly.
As for trusting tyre companies to come and do a fleet check … nah. Been there. My CCTV system proved invaluable. Decent cameras meant I could see what crossword he was doing and even what ■■■■ he watched whilst ‘checking’ my fleet.
Wheel Nut:
Own Account Driver:
Although not really a mandatory check, most places will check them on the six weekly inspection.I have never had tyre pressures checked on a six week inspection ever, with several different suppliers
Same here, none of the places I’ve ever taken a wagon (be it mine or someone else’s) have ever checked the tyres pressures. Anyone who is ignoring it on the assumption that they will be checked at an inspection needs to have a rethink unless they are certain it is being done.
Personally I used to check mine at least once a fortnight.
Paul
tommy t:
There was another time ,before i even had my class 2 (van &7.5t only) On a jaunt to italia in a hired 7.5tonner , took the truck from the yard, preston, got to the collection adress nr royston Whilst waiting to get loaded i noticed again f/n/s tyre was badly worn (cords visable) this is a hire truck do the hire companies not check the tyres before they let someone hire them ?I bet this isn’t even covered in the DCPC
Do you not check a truck before driving it ■■ Might be a bad hire company but a legal tyre aint gone bald that quick, it was [zb]ed when you got it. 
tommy t:
I bet this isn’t even covered in the DCPC
It is if you do your DCPC with me!
Bking:
I check tyres on our fleet every 8 weeks for tractors every 12 for trailers.
When you say ‘our fleet’ are you referring to the models on the shelf behind you in the bedroom in your mother’s house?
Bless you baby!
Own Account Driver:
Bking:
I check tyres on our fleet every 8 weeks for tractors every 12 for trailers.When you say ‘our fleet’ are you referring to the models on the shelf behind you in the bedroom in your mother’s house?
Bless you baby!
Don’t forget his BMX
Well its nice to see that its not just the agricultural world that can’t be arsed to check such a simple thing as tyre pressure, as a fitter for 25 years some of the things you have to repair constantly amaze me, 75% of my work is agri and the rest is plant/commercial and car stuff, as i see it there are about 10 maybe 15% of people working in the industry who are bothered about checking tyre pressures, these same people also check the oil, lights, mirrors, and grease stuff etc, they also save their boss a small fortune over the years, the rest are generally too tired to even care, sad but true ! These people are the reason we are always busy at work, too many people seem to have the “im not paid to do that” or “why should i nobody else does” attitude.
As for agri trailers its about time that they should have mots, because half the ones i see don’t even have working brakes.
In a word its “Shocking” what’s on the road somedays.
albion1971:
Own Account Driver:
Although not really a mandatory check, most places will check them on the six weekly inspection. For drivers it’s really making sure there’s not an obvious issue with tyres ie flat/soft/slow puncture.Not really a mandatory check? Why is that then? Do you not check your car tyres either? Is it safe to drive a heavy truck not knowing if your tyre pressures are correct?
You probably mean you are one of the ones that cannot be bothered to check them.It is a drivers responsibility.
Scary stuff.
I don’t want my drivers checking the tyre pressures. They are not trained and if one of those goes off, so will their head. Its ok with their car tyres at 28psi but not at 120psi. They are instructed to do a visual check and if concerned call into the tyre depot.
gamblep:
I don’t want my drivers checking the tyre pressures. They are not trained and if one of those goes off, so will their head. Its ok with their car tyres at 28psi but not at 120psi. They are instructed to do a visual check and if concerned call into the tyre depot.
Perfect answer
shep532:
gamblep:
I don’t want my drivers checking the tyre pressures. They are not trained and if one of those goes off, so will their head. Its ok with their car tyres at 28psi but not at 120psi. They are instructed to do a visual check and if concerned call into the tyre depot.Perfect answer
I’ve never known a tyre blow up due to checking the pressure.
That’s what’s wrong with this country and this industry, No can do attitude. and those that have the old can do attitude are told not to do.
visual check in morning then every time i stop have a walk around if one looks soft i get the inflator out ,normally i check all properly at least once a week ,it gets realy boring between the 6th axle and the 10th ,
daf3300:
visual check in morning then every time i stop have a walk around if one looks soft i get the inflator out ,normally i check all properly at least once a week ,it gets realy boring between the 6th axle and the 10th ,
It’s like yawning sometimes.
You get out and start checking, others start looking, then others start doing.
i still dont see this gauge thing … would blow em up if they needed it… would look at all tyres at all times i had 22 trailers 10 units but the more times you “messed” with valves the more chance of a flat on a monday morning especialy after doing a tyre check on the weekend…
Anyone who worked at Norman Lewis will remember you were not allowed out of the gate until the truck and trailer was washed and all the tyre pressures checked