9 Tips for Better Truck Trailer Maintenance
Truck Semi trailer full trailer maintain knowledge
When talk turns to truck trailer maintenance, it is usually the tractor & trailer that gets all the attention. While today’s trailers are designed to last longer, they still need some maintain.
The following DTG semi trailer maintenance tips, it can help ensure your semi trailers /pulling trailers are always in top operating condition in future.
1. Check the Trailer tires air.
It is important to make sure, the trailer tires operate at the proper inflation level.
If you use tire pressure monitoring or inflation systems make sure to inspect them for tires air leaks.
Tires are a major expense, so they deserve your attention. “Proper tire air pressure is key to tire longevity,” says Yang, president of DTG Group, a trailer manufacture, sales & service factory. Since drivers are often too busy to check tires as they should, he recommends tire pressure monitoring / inflation systems. But this not using in Africa well.
Steph, a Intelligent Transportation Systems business leader, suggests these three simple checks:
a, Verify that the system pressure is set correctly or not.
b, Check the auxiliary battery switch (ABS) or auxiliary power fuse.
c, Check the system shut-off valve position.
Steph, a Intelligent Transportation Systems business leader, suggests these three simple checks:
a, Verify that the system pressure is set correctly or not.
b, Check the auxiliary battery switch (ABS) or auxiliary power fuse.
c, Check the system shut-off valve position.
If your trailer tires are properly inflated, but you are still seeing tire wear, the problem is probably not with the tires, says Franky, field service manager for transportation. “Unusual tire wear, it is an indication you have something wrong with the suspension, undercarriage, trailer axles alignment or shock absorbers .”
More specifically, check regulator pressure at least once a 3 months & check the power fuse monthly, since the truck trailer driver warning lamp will not illuminate without power. The system shut-off valve needs to be checked every time there is a visual inspection of the semi trailer.
2. Lube it (truck trailer) correctly.
You know, the correct lube in the right amount is essential to proper semi trailer operation. Grease has 3 characteristics, according to Mosher, lubricant specialist for a Vehicle Group. The grade, thickening system & performance rating are all important in selecting the right grease.
Sometimes, it is necessary to crawl under the semi trailer (pulling trailer) to inspect trailer undercarriage components.
“90% of greases are lithium complex based, but some are calcium based.” But do not mix the two greases, as performance will drop. The grade of the grease speaks to its viscosity & most grease used on semi trailers is NLGI, which, according to Mosher, “has the consistency of peanut butter.”
Make sure you add enough new grease to purge the old grease. “It’s not that the old grease wears out, but the debris, it cling to the grease make it ineffective. Adding new greases purges the dirt,” she says.
The performance characteristics of the grease, it can be harder to find, as not all grease manufacturers put it on the label. Consult with the grease manufacturer to ensure you’re getting a grease with the trailer proper performance characteristics.
3, Keep it lit up (trailer).
An inoperable semi trailer (pulling trailer, include the truck head) light is like waving a red flag & asking to be pulled over for a roadside inspection, according to the Johnson, one president of DTG GROUP trailer. Corrosion is the enemy of the electrical system & the liquid road salt used to de-ice roads attacks electrical connections.
“When the right steps are not taken to prevent corrosion, it can spread throughout a vehicle, significantly shortening its life & that of the electrical system,” Johnson adds. Regularly wires, inspect lamps & harness systems & replace grease when needed at connection points, please keep it in mind.
4, Inspect trailer suspensions.
Visually inspect trailer suspensions looking for signs of irregular wear, tears or heat cracks on the air springs, advises Dave, new business development manager at transport Industrial Products. Make sure nothing is touching the suspension or interfering with its movement. Also make sure trailer air springs have sufficient & equal pressure.
Every air suspension (or leaf spring suspension has a defined ride height position, “but sometimes it gets damaged or tinkered with,” Franks says. If the ride height is not correct, you will not reap the full benefits of an air suspension. Make sure the ride height is not too high, because it can interfere with safely trailer navigating overpasses. If there is too little air, instead of riding on the air bag, the semi trailer will ride on the suspension’s bumpers, which damages other trailer suspension components too, we hope you will understand it.
5, Take time for truck trailer brakes.
John, manager at a trailer brakes factory, suggests using the following procedure to check semi trailer & pulling trailer brakes.
Morgan suggests that checking drum conditions while performing brake, or wheel end service. “Measure the drums, to make sure there is enough material to last until the next maintenance inspection. If it’s borderline, replace it better.”
“On wheel ends with spring brakes applied, look at the angle formed by the air chamber push rod & slack adjuster. That angle should be 90 degrees. If it isn’t, the trailer brake is out of adjustment & needs to be fixed.”
The electrical systems & lighting are susceptible to corrosion. Be sure to inspect connections & replace lamps as needed in time.
You know, De-icing chemicals do not just attack electrical connections. They also attack metal parts, can you believe it?
A clean semi trailer /pulling trailer also allows you to more easily spot truck trailer problems, according to Jeff, engineer for trailer manufacturer DTG Trailer. He recommends trailers be washed every 46 days & brought into the shop every 46 to 61 for a more thorough inspection.
“Routinely wash equipment after exposure [to these chemicals],” says Smith, vice president of sales and marketing for other Trailers. “Most importantly, wash the underside where chemicals can remain undetected.”
Smith also recommends checking for debris, it may be caught in truck trailer components, being especially mindful of the trailer hydraulic system. If the hydraulic system gets compromised it could begin leaking hydraulic fluid, which is considered toxic, you know it before?
While Mike says pre- & post-trip inspections are the starting point for a good maintenance effort, “you have to do more than check the boxes on the list. The driver has to actually do a thorough & complete check.”
7, Prioritize prevention.
When it comes to truck trailers, Morgan, says, prevention is important. “Look for little symptoms, if fixed prevent big damage.”
Or as Hopper put it, “If it moves, slides or goes up & down, it needs to be inspected on a regular basis.” Keep it in mind.
Your truck trailer maintenance must include a close inspection of tiedown straps, winches, ratchets & chains. Look for holes, snags, tears, cuts, loose stitching or embedded particles in the straps & at securing hardware, its including loose logistics tracks on the inside of the truck trailer, or rusted hooks& winches on the outside.
Washing tiedowns is not recommended, according to Ralph Abato, president of a manufacturer of cargo securement products. “Washing has an adverse affect on the nylon tiedown straps & it actually will cause the grit to grind into the fiber, reducing strap integrity & work load limits,” he says. “Dirty is better than washing.”
Abato also says winches need to be regularly lubricated & ratchets lightly oiled to keep them in good working order too.
9, Don’t forget the trailer inside.
You know, while drivers may do a great job looking at things outside the truck trailer, they may forget to take a peek inside. Bob, a manager of a Truck & Trailer client, a Wisconsin-based Freightliner dealer, stresses the importance of looking for things like holes in the roof & broken aluminum cross members. “Holes in the roof, it can cause leaks which could damage products” as well as letting potentially damaging moisture into the truck trailer.
If you need commercial truck trailer for transportation, it’s time to contact a DTG Service Department for more information. Our friendly, experienced team of trailer technicians can perform any task from minor repairs & painting, to complete restoration & refurbishing. Customer representatives offer expert guidance to ensure that your trailer gets the service & repairs it needs to stay on the road. Contact us for semi-trailer purchase and service today.
About DTG Group Semi Trailer.
