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Readying Your Trailer for Spring By NATM Staff It’s time to get your trailer ready for warmer weather! After a long winter sitting unused, make sure your trailer is safe before you hit the road. Below are recommendations for readying your trailer for use. For more information about safe trailering and proper maintenance, visit www.TrailerSafetyWeek.com.
01
Tires
Check the tires on both the trailer and tow vehicle, looking for damage after long winter months. Make sure you inspect the tread for uneven wear. Verify that tire pressure is correct, and don’t forget the spare tire. Proper tire pressure affects vehicle handling and safety. You can find the correct tire pressure for your tow vehicle in the owner’s manual or on the tire information placard. Underinflation reduces the load-carrying capacity of your tow vehicle or trailer, may cause sway and control problems, and may result in overheating, causing blowouts or other tire failures. Overinflation causes premature tire wear and affects the handling characteristics of the tow vehicle or trailer. 02
Lug Nuts
Inspect all wheel lug nuts and make sure they are tightened to specifications. 03
Undercarriage
Inspect the springs, spring bushings, and hangers for wear and cracks. This kind of preventative maintenance can save your trailer from a dangerous and expensive breakdown on the road. 04
Wiring and Lights
Make sure connector-plug prongs and receptacles, light bulb sockets, wire splices, and ground connections are clean and shielded from moisture. Lightly coat all electrical terminal connections with nonconducting (dielectric), light, waterproof grease. Make sure all running lights, brake lights, turn signals, and hazard lights are working. Verify the wiring is connected correctly, not dragging on the road but loose enough to make turns without disconnecting or damaging the wires.
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05
Chains
Verify that you have two safety chains, and when you hook to the towing vehicle, cross the chains, so if the hitch comes loose, the crossed chains will catch the hitch. 06
Wheel Bearings
Check your wheel bearings before returning your trailer to regular use and be sure to replace according to the trailer manufacturer’s recommendations. Have the bearings serviced, which requires a repack, new grease, a new bearing, and a new bearing race. Refer to your owner’s manual for maintenance information. 07
Dust Caps
Make sure dust caps are still in place and have not cracked or otherwise been destroyed. Replace if necessary. 08
Brakes
Verify the brakes on the tow vehicle and trailer are operating correctly. Regularly have the brakes on both the trailer and tow vehicle inspected. Be sure the necessary adjustments are made, and any damaged or worn parts are replaced. Check to see how much brake pad material remains. The start of the warmer months is a good time to replace them if they are getting close to the end of their life expectancy. 09
Breakaway System
Ensure the breakaway system lanyard is connected to the tow vehicle but not to the safety chains or ball mount.
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