Maintenance

Maintenance

1. Check wheel nuts and re-tension if necessary
2. Check bearing settings and adjust if necessary.
3. Check brake adjustment and adjust if necessary.
4. Check that all spring shackle-pin nuts and U-bolts nuts are correctly tensioned.
After changing a wheel and tyre always tension wheel nuts correctly and in the correct sequence,

then check again at 100Km as detailed under Routine Checks (At first use or after 'wheel off' maintenance) and re-tension as required.

IMPORTANT IMPORTANT IMPORTANT IMPORTANT
The frequency of regular checks and maintenance should be increased if you are using your trailer daily, commercially, traveling long distances and or are venturing off road or onto unsealed roads.
If your trailer is used on rough roads or off-road you should decrease the load carried and carry out the listed checks and maintenance at least weekly.

For further information you should contact the manufacturer of your trailer, caravan or horse-float for advice specific to your specific vehicle and circumstances.

Many trailers are used infrequently or seasonally. For example caravans and boat trailers are often not used for many months during the winter. Due to this lack of use a number of mechanical problems can develop.

For example:

  • tyres may go soft or perish
  • the wiring can corrode and the lights won't work
  • wheel bearings can dry up or rust
  • hhydraulic brakes can 'gum up' and mechanical brakes seize.

While every trailer should be checked before being used, it is critical that infrequently used trailers be serviced or thoroughly checked after extended periods of inactivity.
This is also the case for the towing equipment on the car. The towbar fixing can become loose over time and loads in the boot can damage the wiring harness.
Any of these faults should be repaired immediately.