Trailer Repair and Maintenance in Calgary
A trailer isn’t as complex as the truck hauling it; nevertheless, it still requires regular maintenance for safe operation and a long lifespan. Failing to provide consistent trailer inspection and trailer repair can easily result in expensive repairs.
Truck trailers encounter many challenges on the road, from rocks and bumps to ruts and jolts. The risk of damage is high, and no truck trailer gets out unscathed. The best way to protect your trailer is through regular maintenance.
Some of these tasks you can perform yourself, such as checking the tire pressure, lubricating the moving parts, or changing a light bulb. However, the more complex maintenance items must be performed at a trailer repair shop in Calgary.
Here are some maintenance tips to add to your list to keep your trailers in top shape.
Essential Maintenance Tips for Trailers
Perform Regular Maintenance
From minor repair work of non-vital components to complete trailer repair, regular maintenance is the most vital step to minimize breakdowns. Regular maintenance will expand the life of a truck trailer and enhance safety on the road.
Regularly Inspect Vital Components
Regular inspection of vital components, whether small or large, will prevent major repair costs. For this reason, making a quick inspection before taking off is always a great idea.
Keep Your Truck Trailer Clean
Cleaning might be the simplest maintenance task, yet important. Make sure you are washing and cleaning your trailer regularly after being towed through mud and dust. Dirt and grime buildup can cause many inconveniences if not routinely cleaned.
Keep Moving Parts Lubricated
On top of cleaning your truck trailer regularly, keeping it lubricated is also essential. Every moving part can cause friction. Keeping these parts lubricated will reduce friction and minimize wear and tear, allowing the trailer to perform optimally.
From wheel bearings to door hinges, every moving part should be lubricated. Road debris such as dirt and grime can cling to the grease, making it ineffective. So, washing away the debris and adding lubricant with the proper performance characteristics is essential.
Maintaining Brakes, Tires, Wheel Bearings, and Electrical Wiring
- Wheel Bearings. If you hear squeaking or grinding noise, or if your wheel hubs are overheated after travelling, that is a sign that you need to replace or lubricate your wheel bearings. The wheel bearings need to spin with minimal friction; otherwise, they will generate extreme heat, causing a breakdown.
- Tires. Travelling with underinflated tires can cause premature wear of the tire. Moreover, underinflated tires can also cause poor fuel efficiency. Aside from keeping your tires inflated at all times, tire wear is another thing to keep an eye on to avoid a tire blowout.
- Brakes. Given the size of the vehicle and the truck trailer, the brakes should always be in excellent working condition. For the safety of you and those around you, inspect your brakes once a month.
- Electrical Components. All electrical connections and components should work properly so that your brake lights, turn signals, and headlights are functional. You cannot embark on a trip without these essential lights.
Check the suspension
Visual inspection of all suspension components is also vital. Look for signs of irregular wear, cracks, and tears, and be proactive. Air suspensions also have a designated height position. If this height is incorrect, you will have trouble safely navigating overpasses.
Load capacity
To minimize wear on components such as the suspension, brakes, and tires, make sure the truck trailer is loaded correctly. Strictly follow the weight, speed, and safety ratings, as well as the trailer’s load capacity.
Heavy Truck and Trailer Repair Shop in Calgary
Trailers are valuable tools. As such, performing regular and preventative maintenance is key to keeping them safe and in top condition. Over time, inspecting your truck trailer will become second nature.
However, for more technical and mechanical issues, you’ll need a professional you can trust. For regular maintenance, emergency trailer repair, or simple trailer inspection, you can count on our heavy truck repair shop to keep you on the road safely.
