Routine Trailer Maintenance Tips

Trailer maintenance is so important for the performance and lifespan of your trailer. It also helps ensure your own safety as well as that of other motorists around you. It also is good for your pocketbook. Maintenance is far cheaper than repairs or replacements. 

Most trailer maintenance tasks are simple things that you can do yourself. These include:

• Lubricating moving parts
• Checking the pressure on your tires
• Washing and cleaning the trailer regularly
• Replacing burnt out light bulbs

Once you get into bigger, more technical jobs like spot welds, it might be smart to get professional help, depending on your skill, experience level, and field of work. 

Simple Trailer Maintenance Anyone Can Do

Let’s talk about simple trailer maintenance you can do on your own. These are not technical skills, and they don’t require expensive tools. These are simple jobs that don’t require any experiences beyond getting your hands dirty.

Washing & Cleaning:

Washing and cleaning don’t sound very exciting, but they pay off so much! After all, there are new types of debris in each season. Winter slush, spring pollen, summer mud after the rain, and falling leaves all need to be cleaned. If you did a haul through the mud and dust you should wash the trailer after. 

How to Wash Your Trailer

All you need to wash your trailer is household detergent in water. Grab a bucket and sturdy brush, and go to town. If you have a nice finish on your enclosed trailer, don’t use stiff bristles because you can damage your trailer. Pressure washers do more harm than good in many cases, too.

Lubrication

Lubricating simple, moving parts is important, too. Each of these parts experiences a good deal of friction. Too much friction leads to early part failure. Grease wheel bearings with automotive-rated axle and bearing lubricant. 

Light-duty lubrication jobs require a lighter, more oily lubricant. You’ll need one for doors and gate hinges. Something spray-on or white lithium works. These don’t trap road grime like typical grease. To lubricate any piece, spray it down then work the moving part until the lubricant is inside it. 

Replace Light Bulbs

You might need an extra person to test the lights while you stand outside the trailer and check for burnt out light bulbs. Anything dead, flickering, or dim, should be replaced before you get pulled over, or before another motorist does not realize you are braking or turning. 

Contact the Trailer Parts Outlet for Trailer Maintenance Questions

Here at the Trailer Parts Outlet, we care about taking care of people, and taking care of trailers. If you have any questions about typical maintenance for your trailer, please get in touch with us. We can’t wait to hear from you.