For the most part, trailers are not particularly complex or sophisticated machines. That said, they still necessitate a certain amount of regular care and maintenance. If you fail to care for them properly, it can lead to the deterioration of important parts and result in expensive repairs.

Also, with routine maintenance, it’s possible to improve your trailer’s performance while also increasing the lifespan of the trailer itself. When performing this regular maintenance, it’s crucial to repair or replace any parts you find that might be in need of attention. In many cases, staying on top of your trailer’s few important components can save you a lot of money down the line.

Perform Regular Maintenance

For trailers, regular maintenance includes small repair work and the inspection of non-vital components. In general, this maintenance can be accomplished on your own and won’t require any heavy equipment or tools.

Regularly Inspect Vital Components

It’s important that you perform regular inspections of any trailer components that are vital to its proper function. This is not limited to only large components, but to a wide range of small parts as well. Allowing any of these components to fail is the fastest way to incur major repair costs.

Keep Your Trailer Clean

Your trailer will look and perform its best if you take the time to wash and clean off grime, dirt, and residue whenever possible. You can use cleaning solutions and detergents to make the process more efficient but try not to use corrosive products or high-pressure sprayers, as they can damage the trailer’s finish or paint job.

Keep Moving Parts Lubricated

Every moving part of the trailer creates friction. This friction will quickly build up heat in components that are not properly lubricated. Keep all moving parts well-oiled in order to reduce wear and tear and be sure you’re applying the lubricant properly. Lastly, keep in mind that high-quality lubricants will perform better (and last longer) than budget brands.

You’ll also want to pay close attention to special parts like wheel bearings. These are sealed components that can often require grease to be applied under high pressure. This usually means relying on a grease gun and a particular type of grease. In many cases, your trailer’s user manual will specify which type is best. For door hinges, you can use light-duty lubricants, as they tend to catch much less dirt from the road.

Maintaining Wheel Bearings, Brakes, Tires, and Electrical Wiring

Wheel Bearings – Always make sure that your trailer’s wheel bearings are repacked regularly. This will allow them to spin with minimal friction and keep them from generating extreme heat, which can cause them to fail. Be sure to replace your trailer’s wheel bearings if you notice any of the following:

• A squeaking or grinding noise
• Overheated wheel hubs after traveling

Tires – It’s important to make sure that your trailer’s tires are properly inflated. This will ensure minimum wear and help extend the tire’s lifespan. So, keep an eye on your tires and set aside regular times for inspections. This means checking the tire pressure and checking each wheel for cracks or uneven surfaces.

Brakes – Trailer brakes should be visually inspected fairly often. You can check them by having a friend depress the brake pedal while you watch to see if the brake unit is functioning.

Electrical Components – Again, a quick visual inspection is often fine for ensuring that your lights and plugs are working properly. Check to see if any components need to be cleaned or replaced, and regularly inspect the wiring to ensure there are no bad connections or frays.

In Conclusion

Trailers are valuable tools and an extension of your truck’s capabilities. They can offer you an enormous return on your investment, but only if you take care of them. One of the best ways to do this is by performing regular and preventative maintenance.