I still remember the day that I bought my first car. I thought it was the most perfect vehicle in the world, and I vowed to care for it diligently. Unfortunately, within a few days I had forgotten about my promise, and I started tossing fast food wrappers in the back like everyone else. After awhile I realized that neglecting my car was turning the inside into a garbage pit, and I decided to learn how to take better care of my vehicle. I took a class on auto detailing, and it really helped me to turn things around. I want to teach you what I learned, so you should read this blog.
When most owner-operators hear the words "truck maintenance," they immediately think about their tractor and its engine, transmission, etc. However, very few drivers think about the trailer portion of their truck and its own needs for maintenance, as well.
If you have been servicing your tractor on a regular schedule but haven't done the same for your trailer, then it's time for an in-depth inspection and perhaps some repairs.
Though your trailer should be professionally inspected by a mechanic at a heavy truck repair services shop, you should follow each of these tips while you are waiting for an open appointment:
Tip: Make Sure You Regularly Grease the Trailer's Movable Parts
As you drive down the road, dust and dirt get into the movable parts of your trailer and contaminate their lubricating grease. The gritty contamination leads to increased friction and the early failure of movable parts. To prevent this damage, make sure you apply new grease on a regular schedule. As you inject the new grease into the seals, it will push out the contaminated grease and reduce friction when the trailer's parts move.
Tip: Carefully Check Each and Every Tire on the Trailer
Tire wear is often the very first sign a semi truck's trailer has a mechanical problem. For this reason, it's vital you very regularly inspect each one of your trailer's tires for signs of unusual or unexpected wear.
If you find tires showing unusual wear patterns or tires wearing prematurely, it is likely your trailer has one of these four mechanical problems:
In addition to the above, many owner-operators rely on their automated tire inflation system notifying them of a tire low on air, but this is never a good idea. These inflation systems can fail because they rely on small hydraulic hoses that easily clog or become dislodged as you drive.
Tip: Carefully Check and Adjust the Trailer's Ride Height
The ride height for your trailer is controlled by its air suspension system. If you measure your trailer's ride height and discover it is incorrect by even just a few inches, then your trailer's suspension needs attention. Not only is a too high ride height a danger for hitting overhead obstructions such as power lines and overpasses, but low ride height is also a leading cause of serious trailer suspension damage.
Share31 January 2019
