Every truck owner wants to maximise time on the road, but a lack of maintenance kills your reliability. Poorly maintained truck trailers can lead to injuries, delays and damage to goods, harming your reputation and leading to fewer jobs. Yet taking care of your trailers doesn’t take much effort. Here are five simple things you can do to keep yours in good condition and become the fleet operator that businesses can confidently depend on.
Inspect Your Tyres Often
Worn or incorrectly inflated trailer tyres pose several risks for trucks. In the best case, a slightly deflated tyre will decrease your fuel efficiency, costing you money. But if the tyres are in very poor condition, you risk skidding or tyre blowouts, both of which could lead to accidents and damage to your trailer and cargo. Check for punctures, cracks, bulges and worn treads before long hauls, and keep them properly inflated.
Lubricate the Moving Parts
Without regular greasing, the moving parts of your trailer will gradually wear each other down through friction until they fail completely. In the meantime, they won’t work as efficiently as they should. It’s generally recommended to lubricate trailer components like hinges, brake linkages and the landing gear every 5,000 miles or each month, whichever comes first. This will also help protect any exposed components from rust caused by moisture or rain.
Check Your Truck Trailers’ Brakes Frequently
The brake systems on truck trailers are put under a lot of pressure each time you stop while carrying a heavy load. Over time, they can weaken, but they are vital for your safety and for trailer performance. Every 5,000 miles or so, you should be checking the brake components for wear or cracks. You should also listen out for grinding sounds, as these can indicate that parts are worn and need replacing.
Load Your Trailer Properly
Load distribution has a large role to play in the longevity of your trailer. Loaded trailers put tremendous pressure on their axles, suspension and braking systems. While these components can withstand that pressure when it’s evenly spread across them, they’ll struggle if it’s all applied to one side. This will also make steering the truck more difficult for the driver. Ensure cargo is evenly spread and tied down securely, maintaining a low centre of gravity.
Keep Your Trailer Clean
Depending on what you’re transporting, a sparkling clean trailer may not seem important. However, cleaning is about more than just protecting your cargo. When stuck to your trailer, salt, mud, and moisture can wear down the exterior and the undercarriage. They’ll also eat away at the paint job. Pressure wash your trailer regularly, and especially after long trips, but avoid harsh soaps, which can strip off protective coatings.
Conclusion
Whether you own a pre-owned trailer or a brand new one, these simple tips will help it to last, as well as make it safer and easier to tow. Inspecting key components and keeping truck trailers clean and lubricated only takes a few hours out of your month at most, but they enable you to tow trailers with confidence, knowing that you’re unlikely to suffer any problems.
