There is nothing more frustrating than unexpected trailer issues while on the road. Preventative maintenance on your trailer is the best way to avoid an unwanted situation mid trip. Whether you are doing the maintenance yourself or scheduling it with the Advantage Auto and Trailer service department, it still needs to be done. Here are some tips for daily, monthly and yearly maintenance to keep you and your utility trailer safely on the road.
DAILY (Before each use)
The most obvious place to start for trailer maintenance is a simple walk around before each trip. In this walk around check for visible signs of cracks, rust or any type of damage. It is important to keep the trailer clean in order to check these issues. Not only does it make it easier to spot any potential problems, but keeping a trailer clean will prevent it from rusting due to winter road salt as well as drying out the wood flooring.
Most trailers now have a QR code on the tongue of the trailer. This will give you the owners manual and a trailer maintenance schedule. If the trailer doesn’t have this, check your owners manual for maintenance tips.
After that initial walk around it is important to take a closer look and assess any needed maintenance before you start your trip.
Hitch and Coupler
You want to ensure nothing is bent, or rusty on your hitch or coupler. Check the safety chains, if these chains have any thin spots, they need to be replaced. Ensure that the coupler is in good condition, and that the jack is working properly and moving freely. Also check the break away switch and its battery, which should have a test button on it. Here is a short video on how the break away switch works and why it is important. Make sure the electrical light connection and wiring is all attached and free of damage. Ensure the electrical plug is clean and connecting properly. Use dielectric grease to prevent oxidation and improve connection longevity. Keep the plug covered, replace it if worn out.
Trailer Lights
Since checking the lighting connection, we now need to ensure all the lights on the trailer are working properly. Do a walk around inspection of the lights to ensure nothing is broken and then check the brake and signal lights on the trailer once attached to the tow vehicle.
Trailer Frame
As you are walking around checking your lights, look for any cracks in the frame or anywhere on the trailer.
Tires
Checking your tires before each trip is essential. You want to visibly inspect the tires for cracks as well as check the PSI of each tire. Before long trips, check tires for embedded objects, ensure no wheel bearings are failing (check for excess play), and ensure the valve stem is secure. Rotate your trailer tires every 8000-10,000km
Gate
Inspect the back gate to ensure that it is locking properly and secure. Ensure hinge pins are secure and properly lubricated to prevent binding. Check the gate latches firmly and pins do not rattle or pop out during travel. Replace worn springs on latch handles.
MONTHLY
Nothing should come as a surprise on your monthly inspection if you are using your trailer often and completing your walk around checks before each use. However, there are still things that need a deeper dive monthly that might be missed on a daily or weekly basis.
Suspension
Inspecting underneath the trailer is crucial for inspecting structural integrity as well as the trailer axles. Look for bends, damage, or improper alignment, which cause rapid tire wear. Inspect leaf springs for cracks, broken leafs, and proper tension. Check shackle bolts for excessive wear or damage. U-bolts are critical suspension fasteners, designed to securely clamp leaf springs to the axle, ensuring stability and reducing sway.
Wheels
Give the tires a shake to check the wheel bearings, excessive play or wobble indicates that the bearings are worn, damaged, or in need of adjustment. Checking the dust cap is also important. You want to make sure it is always in place because if dust gets inside it will eat the bearings off the trailer. Retorque lug nuts, especially with aluminum wheels, is critical for safety because aluminum is softer than steel and can compress, leading to loosening. Check your lug nuts every 100km.
YEARLY
Annual trailer maintenance isn’t just a recommendation, it’s a safety requirement. As modern trailers become more complex, DIY fixes often aren’t enough to guarantee reliability on the open road. If you don’t have the equipment and/or knowledge, Advantage Auto and Trailer can do the heavy lifting for you.
Bearings
Repack the bearings once per year or every 15,000 – 20,000 km. Clean, inspect, and repack bearings with fresh grease and new seals.
Brakes
Inspect the brake pads, shoes, and drums for wear. Clean and adjust the brake components, and check electric brake magnets for wear.
It’s important to note that new electric drum brakes require a break in period to achieve full performance, they need to be burnished. This short video shows you exactly what to do.
Treated Lumber Floor
Maintaining a treated lumber utility trailer floor involves annual cleaning, inspection, and sealing to prevent rot, splitting, and water damage. Apply sealants like boiled linseed oil, specialized deck stains, or a 50/50 mix of diesel and used motor oil to dry wood to protect against moisture and UV damage.
Trailer maintenance is a vital part of owning any type of trailer. Advantage Auto and Trailer has the parts you need for any DIY maintenance. We also have a knowledgeable and professional service department ready to tackle any issue or maintenance needing attention.