As winter unfolds its harsh conditions, construction fleet managers and trailer operators find themselves at the forefront of challenges posed by plummeting temperatures. Amidst this seasonal adversity, the imperative to prioritize trailer maintenance becomes more pronounced, ensuring the safety and roadworthiness of your vehicles. Delve into the following top 6 trailer maintenance checks, designed to shield your fleet from the adverse impact of winter and fortify its resilience against the unique challenges that cold weather brings.
1 Lighting: Ensuring a Well-Lit Path
With days becoming shorter and darker in winter, the importance of proper trailer lighting cannot be overstated. Conduct a thorough check of all lights, including front and rear lights and side marker lights. Visibility of the registration plate and reflectors is crucial, enhancing safety and reducing the risk of accidents.
2 Tire Tread and Wear: Prioritizing Traction
During winter, prioritizing tire maintenance is essential to ensure optimal traction and reduce the risk of accidents or tire failure. Worn tires pose a significant hazard, diminishing starting traction and increasing the chances of bursting, especially at higher speeds. Regularly inspecting tire tread for signs of over-inflation or under-inflation is crucial for identifying potential issues.
To enhance traction during winterizing efforts, focus on tire maintenance with a proactive approach. Regularly check tire pressure and tread depth to ensure they meet safety standards. When choosing drive-wheel tires, strategically opt for those that enhance traction on icy surfaces. Utilize interaxle locks to prevent wheel spin and consider using reinforced chains, providing a substantial 500% increase in traction. These measures promote safe operation and contribute to fuel efficiency during challenging winter conditions.
3 Brakes: Adapting to Cold Conditions
Cold weather can adversely affect brake operations and air pipes, leading to potential issues like brake failure or excessive wear. Regularly check coupling hand sealing rubbers for leaks and keep spare yellow and red air coils in the trailer. Periodically inspect the air tank for condensation, which can be removed through drain valves, preventing accidents and extending the life of braking components.
4 Vehicle and Trailer Body: Emphasizing Cleanliness
Maintaining cleanliness is critical to ensuring the longevity and functionality of your trailer, especially during wetter and dirtier winter seasons. Regularly wash and clean the trailer, inspecting doors, seals, cables, latches, and holdbacks. Ensure compliance with Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) standards and consider outsourcing trailer maintenance to experienced third parties for specialized checks.
5 Washing Your Trailer: Defending Against Winter Elements
Combat winter elements by regularly washing your trailer to remove snow, road grime, ice melt, and other debris that could affect performance. Clean suspension components, axles, and surrounding areas to protect the paint and ensure basic functionality.
6 Keep Things Moving: Preventing Brake Freezing
Maintain the operability of your trailer by periodically connecting it to a truck. Operate the air and light functions and drive the trailer for a few minutes to prevent brake pads from freezing to the drums. This practice becomes especially crucial when preparing for heavier hauls.
Addressing additional maintenance tasks such as greasing all zerk areas, checking the undercarriage for rust, using air brake antifreeze, and preparing an emergency kit becomes essential. Regularly clean your trailer after trips to prevent corrosion caused by snow and ice-clearing agents.
Incorporating these comprehensive tips into your winter maintenance routine ensures that your trailers not only brave the cold but also operate efficiently throughout the winter months, minimizing downtime and maximizing return on investment.
