Trailer maintenance is one of those things that often gets a lot of attention heading into winter but sometimes gets overlooked heading into the spring. While it’s true that harsh winter conditions typically mean more maintenance compared to other times of the year, springtime is the perfect opportunity to review, refresh and revitalize trailer components and address any repair issues to allow for efficient operation over the summer.
Below are some spring trailer maintenance considerations as you look ahead to warmer driving conditions:
How Are Your Connections?
The electrical connections that link your truck and trailer are vitally important for safe operation. Over the winter, cold air, moisture, exposure to road salt, and other variables can lead to cracked and broken electrical wiring that may cause unsafe operating conditions.
As spring approaches, now is a good time to check all wires and connections joining your truck and trailer. Replace worn or broken connections and wires, and double-check all electronic systems after spring maintenance to ensure your brake lights and other electrical components are in good working order.
Are You Using Reefers?
Reefer trailers have certain items that need to be checked that may not apply to conventional trailers. If you use reefers, you’re going to not only want to check coolant levels and all other fluids, but you’re also going to want to inspect and maintain roof sealant. If you notice wear or damage, add or replace sealant to refresh the protection of your cooling system. You should also clean the suspension of your reefer trailer.
Your Tires Are Vital
Spring maintenance also means checking trailer tires for damage and leaks so that you can replace or repair tires as needed before they hit the road over the summer. If possible, consider rotating tires according to manufacturer recommendations to extend tire service life as well.
Something else to think about as the weather turns from cool to warm is the tire pressure in your trailer tires. You likely already know that temperature can affect tire pressure by changing air volume as expansion or contraction occur.
These changes in air volume may be subtle while a tire is in use, but they can be larger when changing the outside ambient temperature for long periods of time like when the seasons change. While you should follow the manufacturer’s guidance, you might consider inflating your trailer tires to less than the cold tire pressure recommendations as the added ambient heat can potentially add around two psi of air pressure for every 10 degrees of outside warmth.
Have Your Air Spring Suspension Inspected
If you’re using an air spring suspension semitrailer, you’re encouraged to have it inspected every 100,000 miles or at least once per year. In some areas, there may be regulations requiring specific inspection protocols, but regardless, spring maintenance is the perfect opportunity to have this done in order to identify any potential problems before the warm weather arrives.
Further Considerations
If you haven’t already done so, spring trailer maintenance season is a great time to check all of your federal licenses and registrations as well as check all interior and exterior lights, braking systems, lubrication and climate control systems. No one wants to get stranded on the side of the road, especially on a hot summer day with no air conditioning.
