Protect Your Trailer: A Simple Year‑Round Maintenance Checklist
When protecting your trailer investment, it is important to proactively maintain it for safety and longevity.
Here at TrailerTek, we understand the importance of looking after your trailer, therefore this blog will act as a seasonal checklist with an easy, manageable approach to care.
It will provide a simple, year round plan to keep any trailer in top condition using quality parts and accessories, like those available here at TrailerTek.
Read on for your simple checklist!
Your Seasonal Checklist
Autumn Trailer Care: Post-Season Wind-Down
As we are now fast approaching Autumn, it is important to start caring for your trailer using light maintenance before winter preparation begins.
Ensure you complete these key tasks for an autumn-ready trailer:
- Clean-Up: Give your trailer a final wash and remove any debris from the summer season.
- Visual Inspection: Look for any signs of new damage or wear and tear that could have occurred during the summer months.
- Prep For Winter Maintenance: Ensure you have all the necessary parts for the upcoming winter season and maintenance. You can find these on our website.
Winter Trailer Care: Prepping For The Off-Season
With cold weather or the need for extended storage, your winter maintenance is arguably the most important. With extreme cold weather and risks of ice and snow, it is important that your trailer is road-worthy or equipped for extended storage.
Ensure you complete these key tasks for a winter-prepared trailer:
- Thorough Cleaning: Just like you did at the beginning of Autumn, wash the exterior and undercarriage of your trailer to remove salt, dirt and grime that can cause rust.
- Lubrication: Make sure to grease all moving parts, including the hitch, coupler and suspension components. This will ensure that nothing will get frozen in minus temperatures.
- Tyre Check: Inspect the tyres for crack and wear and ensure they are inflated properly. If you are storing long-term, you may want to consider raising your trailer or rotating the tyres to prevent flat spots.
- Break Inspection: This is extremely important. You must check for wear and that the breaks are functioning properly. To help with this, TrailerTek offers many service kits to ensure that your trailer is safe. Explore our range here.
- Covering: If you are using your trailer for storage, we recommend that you use a high quality cover to protect your storage and trailer from the winter elements. We have some great options available for you to choose from here.
Spring Trailer Care: Waking Up From Hibernation
After the coldness of the winter, getting your trailer ready for the road and the busy hauling season awaits.
To ensure your trailer is spring equipped, follow these key tasks:
- Re-Lubrication: Take some time to re-grease the hubs and bearings of your trailer. If you need assistance with this, we have a hub and bearing section perfect for this key task.
- Electrical Check: Make sure to test all lights, breaks, indicators, tail lights and wiring. It is also important to inspect your trailer for any corrosion or damage from the winter season. If you find you need new lights or electrical accessories, we have just the parts here at TrailerTek.
- Coupling & Hitch Check: Ensure the coupling mechanism of your trailer is clean, lubricated and operating correctly. It may also be useful to check for any signs of wear too.
- Chassis & Frame Inspection: Look for rust, cracks or damage to the frame of your trailer and if there are any issues, address these promptly. If you are unsure, contact our expert team and we will be able to give you some professional advice.
Summer Trailer Care: Staying On Top Of Things
During the summer, this will mostly likely be the peak usage of your trailer. Therefore, routine checks and maintenance are important.
Follow these key tasks to ensure your trailer is performing at its best during the warm season:
- Pre-Trip Checks: Make sure to carry out a quick inspection before every journey, including your tyres, lights and hitch connection.
- Bearing Temperature: Ensure you check the hub temperature of your trailer periodically during a long journey.
- Hub & Wheel Nut Torque: It is important to check the torque on your wheel nuts after the first 50 miles of any trip.
- Tyre Pressure: Regular checks on the tyres of your trailer are crucial, especially during varying temperatures.
Your Year Round Maintenance Partner
Having a seasonal maintenance routine boasts many benefits. Your trailer will always be road-ready during any season and you will feel like you have made a high quality, durable investment.
Ensuring consistency in your maintenance also ensures safety and reliability.
Choose TrailerTek for your year round maintenance partner and discover all your parts and accessory needs.
