What Is The Best Maintenance Schedule For My Trailer?
What Is The Best Maintenance Schedule For My Trailer?
Posted on May 9, 2024
What Is The Best Maintenance Schedule For My Trailer?
Proper maintenance is crucial for ensuring the safety and longevity of your trailer. Just like any vehicle or equipment, regular maintenance is essential to keep your trailer in optimal condition for years. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore what is the best maintenance schedule for trailers.
What Is The Best Maintenance Schedule For My Trailer?
When it comes to towing a trailer, the importance of proper maintenance cannot be understated. Regular upkeep not only extends the lifespan of your trailer but also ensures a safe and reliable towing experience. By adhering to a meticulous maintenance schedule, you can significantly reduce the risk of unexpected issues and maintain the overall integrity of your trailer.
Before You Tow: Essential Pre-Trip Inspection
Before hitting the road, performing a thorough pre-trip inspection is crucial to ensure that your trailer is in optimal condition. Key components to inspect before each tow include the breakaway brakes (electric and hydraulic), breakaway battery, surge brakes, safety chains and hooks, coupler and hitch ball, tires, and wheels. Checking and servicing these items before each journey helps to identify any issues and ensures that safety-critical features are operating as intended.
Monthly Maintenance: Regular Checks for Continued Performance
Every month, it’s essential to perform routine checks and service your trailer. This includes inspecting and lubricating gate and door hinges if your trailer is equipped with them. This simple task helps maintain the functionality of moving parts, preventing potential issues down the line.
Every Six Months: In-Depth Inspection and Service
At six-month intervals, conducting a more extensive inspection of your trailer is recommended. This involves checking the wear and current draw of electric brakes (magnet), power output and modulation of the electric brakes controller in the tow vehicle, tires for tread and sidewall condition, and operation of electric and surge brakes.
Annual Maintenance: Comprehensive Checks and Servicing
On an annual basis, check for:
- Scoring and wear on brake shoes and drums,
- Greasing gears at the top of the jack if equipped,
- Inspecting frame members, bolts, and rivets for damage,
- Evaluating the integrity of structure welds,
- Disassembling, inspecting, and repacking wheel bearings, inspecting wheel rims for cracks and dents,
- Checking brake wiring for bare spots or fraying.
In addition, it’s recommended that trailers be professionally inspected annually and after any impact incidents to identify and address potential issues.
Contact Us at Edmonton Trailer Sales & Leasing Ltd. in Acheson
Adhering to a comprehensive maintenance schedule is essential for ensuring the longevity and safety of your trailer. By regularly inspecting and servicing key components, you can maintain the overall integrity of your trailer and reduce the risk of unexpected breakdowns. Whether it's the before-tow checks, monthly inspections, biannual servicing, or annual comprehensive maintenance, each step plays a vital role in preserving the performance and safety of your trailer. Make sure to reserve your trailer's longevity and safety by contacting Edmonton Trailer Sales & Leasing Ltd. in Acheson.