Proper inspection & maintenance helps to keep the car trailer functional. The longevity & overall performance of the trailer is also extended by the inspection procedure. Reputable trailer manufacturers in bprovide two essential car trailer maintenance checklists to their customers. They include the pre-departure maintenance checklist & annual inspection checklist. Both contain some essential maintenance tips for trailer components. We will discuss these two checklists in brief.
Pre departure maintenance checklist
A car trailer is designed with a number of components and semi components. According to reputable car trailer manufacturers & experts in Texas, before you tow your trailer, check the following items properly. They include:
- Trailer Brakes: Check operation of both electric and hydraulic brakes
- Battery: Always ensure connections are appropriate & the battery is charged 100%.
- Surge Brakes: Inspect the braking operation of the master cylinder.
- Shoes and brake drums: Adjust carefully
- Safety chains and hooks: Inspect for damage & wear
- Coupler & hitch ball: Inspect for pits, cracks, pits, flats, etc. Experts always suggest replacing the ball & coupler hitch having a car trailer GVWR if required
- Locking device: Check the device & replace it if worn.
- Ring & pintle: Replace the ring & pintle having a car trailer GVWR if needed.
- Trailer tires: Check tire pressure when inflating & cold as required. Also, check for damage.
- Wheels (bolts or lug nuts & hub): Inspect for tightness & tighten. For remounted or new wheels, inspect torque after the first 10, 25 & 50 miles of driving.
Annual inspection checklist – The annual inspection is necessary to keep the car trailer functional & to boost its performance. Professionals provide an annual inspection checklist for modern car trailers. According to this checklist, you have to check the following components yearly.
Braking components: From the brake shoes to brake pads & drums, you have to check all braking components for wear & tear. Replace the parts if needed as per trailer manufacturer specifications.
Structure frame: Check the structural frame members of your trailer including rivets & bolts. Repair & replace them if damaged, worn out, or broken. Apart from that, check and repair structural welds as required.
Wheel bearings: Disassemble, check & assemble the wheel bearings properly. Replacement is necessary if they are immersed in water.
Wheel: Trailer wheels should be checked properly. Inspect the wheel rims, nuts & bolts for dents, scratches & cracks. Repair them immediately if required.
Brake wiring: Inspect the bare fraying, spots, etc. Replacement is necessary if required.
The importance of pre-departure & annual inspection checklists is huge. Both checklists represent some simple ways to maintain the car trailer & keep it functional.