Preventative Trailer Maintenance

Being active about keeping your trailer maintained has a lot of benefits. There are many examples of trailer maintenance issues that are much easier and cheaper to deal with in the earlier stages. If you’re interested in learning more about preventative trailer maintenance, check out this guide from the experts at Chattanooga Trailer & Rental.

1. Bearings

Your trailer’s bearings contain small amounts of grease for the purpose of lubricating the rollers. When all the grease has been used up, water can make its way in and cause corrosion. Eventually, the bearings will overheat and collapse. Luckily, you’ll usually be able to hear it if your bearings have gone bad. We recommend swapping out your bearings at least once a year and keeping a bearing replacement kit in your truck just in case. 

2. Tires

The treads on your trailer’s tires will get less and less traction as they wear down. This can make driving in icy or wet conditions extra difficult. Staying at the manufacturer-recommended tire pressure is also important. Both low and high tire pressure can lead to a blowout, so be ready to adjust the tire pressure as needed. 

3. Suspension

If you can see light through the leaf springs on your suspension or the leaves are starting to spread, that’s a good sign that your suspension is starting to wear down. In particular, towing over rough terrain can be rough on your suspension, so you might need to install an off-road suspension system. Either way, make sure your suspension is in good condition so that it is ready to handle whatever job you need it for. 

4. Brakes

If your trailer’s brakes aren’t fully functional, your tow vehicle’s brakes will have to make up the difference, something they obviously weren’t designed to do. That’s why it’s so important that you have an expert check your trailer’s brakes on a regular basis. You should also check to make sure that your trailer’s brake cables are fully intact. 

5. Rust & Corrosion

Aluminum and steel are the two most popular materials to use when building a trailer. While aluminum trailers are corrosion-resistant, steel trailers tend to rust. Unfortunately, inside parts tend to rust before outside parts, making it more difficult to spot the problem in its early stages. Don’t forget to check for corrosion underneath your trailer and at the joints. Trailer owners who live near the sea should be especially vigilant, as salty air tends to lead to faster corrosion. 

For more information or to shop our selection of new and pre-owned trailers, visit Chattanooga Trailer & Rental. We operate locations in both Chattanooga, Tennessee, and North Chesterfield, Virginia. We also offer rentals, servicing, financing, and parts, so visit us for all your trailer needs. We are proud to serve the states of Tennessee and Virginia, and we hope to see you soon.