The following guide answers the popular question – When Does My Utility Trailer Need Maintenance?
When it comes to utility trailer maintenance, a little preventive maintenance goes a long way. While most cargo trailers are designed and built strong enough to withstand the elements, having a maintenance schedule is important. Regular maintenance will help maintain the value of your investment. It will also help to reduce costly repairs, operate more efficiently, meaning less downtime.
Some trailer owners keep up with the utility trailer maintenance on their own, but not all trailer owners have the time. We’ve put together a checklist of utility trailer maintenance tips that can help you narrow down the most important things to check to keep your trailer functioning properly.
Utility Trailer Maintenance Check List
- Keep it Clean – The simple task of keeping your utility trailer clean really pays off. Just like your vehicle, dirt, dust, grime, and road salt can damage the paint and undercarriage of your trailer. By keeping your trailer clean, it makes it easier to see little things that need attention, before they become expensive repairs.
- Tire Inspection – Regular inspection of the tires is probably the most important maintenance task for trailer owners. Always check the tire pressure and tread depth on each tire, ensure the lug nuts are tight, and give the trailer tires a good visual inspection. Keep an eye out for bald spots in the tread, bulges on the sidewall, or any signs of irregular wear or damage. Don’t forget to check the spare tire as well!
- Wheel Bearings – Keeping the wheel bearings lubricated or repacking the wheel bearings is important for your trailer to run smoothly. As the grease in the bearing ages, it breaks down and causes friction which can eventually seize up the wheel.
- Trailer Lights – Make sure the taillights, brake lights, turn signals, and hazard lights on your trailer work properly. A burned-out light can be dangerous and you could be fined.
- Grease the Hinges – Keep the hinges and doors lubricated to keep them in great condition and make them easier to use.
- Safety Chains – Check the safety chains on your trailer for visible wear or damage. Make sure the chains don’t drag on the road. This can cause them to weaken quicker over time.
Knowing what utility trailer maintenance and repairs to undergo yourself is an excellent way to save a little money while protecting your trailer investment. However, you may benefit from professional maintenance help on the bigger more complicated trailer repairs such as brakes, trailer wiring, suspension, breakaway systems, and axles.
BlueSwift Axles is your trailer parts and trailer axle experts. We specialize in spring and torsion axles and have an easy-to-use online store with fast and convenient ordering. Not sure where to start? Give us a call today to get started.
Original article: Hilltop Tire Service