How to Maintain your Heavy Trailer

If you’re working on a big job that requires hard work, then you’ll probably want a heavy trailer. These trailers are designed to help you with some of your toughest jobs and make each project a little bit easier, whether it’s just about transporting supplies or storing supplies or clearing away a mess. But if you want your heavy trailer to continue working hard for you, you’ll want to take good care of it. To help you out, Howdy Ranch RV has provided some basic tips for maintaining your heavy trailer. Follow along and let us know if you have any additional concerns or questions. We welcome all patrons from Corpus Christi, San Antonio, Rockport, Laredo, and Victoria, Texas.

Regular Inspection

The biggest, most important maintenance check you can do is a simple, thorough inspection. Look at every inch of your trailer, looking for signs of wear and tear, damage, or any other red flags that might mean your next trip down the road will be more harrowing. You might not be able to fix every problem you spot, but the only way to tackle these issues is to know they’re there. And it’s always better to figure this out when you’re close to home and a local service department, rather than on the road and far away from help. 

These inspections should probably take place before every trip. Depending on how often you use your trailer or how long the trip will be, you might want to do this a few days in advance, just in case you realize a trip to the mechanic is in order. You’ll want to check out the brakes and any hydraulic hoses, looking for leaks and worn parts. Also make sure your fluids are topped off and refreshed as needed.

Your tires should also be a major point of focus during your inspection. Use a tire pressure gauge to check psi levels and make sure they’re in line with the manufacturer’s recommendations (as provided by your owner’s manual). Also inspect the treads for any signs of damage. Never drive with a compromised tire, as it can not only lead to a flat on the side of the road but it can also present a road hazard for other commuters. Also, if you notice excessive wear, it might be time to replace your tires. If you notice that some tires seem to be wearing down faster than others, there are a few possible solutions you can look at. It might be a weight distribution problem and you’ll want to be more careful about how you load your trailer. If that’s not it, then it might be a hitching problem, and you’ll need to see a mechanic.

Postpone Wear and Tear

No matter how well you maintain your cargo trailer, there are certain parts that are inevitably going to wear down over time, simply because you’ll constantly be using them. This includes your wheels, tires, and brakes. You can put off replacement with a few strategic choices. Firstly, shell out a little more money and get a more durable heavy trailer. While it’s tempting to try and pinch pennies, it’ll only hurt you in the long run to get a cheap trailer that falls apart quickly. 

Also, be kind to your trailer. Taking care of it means using it properly. Don’t overload it (not just to maintain good function, but also to avoid serious road incidents). Also, be careful about how you’re distributing the weight of the cargo so there isn’t an excessive amount of weight on one side. Simply being smart about how you use your trailer can go a long way in extending its lifespan.

While there are some fixes you might be able tackle yourself, others might be too complicated or might require specialized equipment. If you need a professional technician to take a look at your heavy trailer, then contact our service department at Howdy Ranch RV. We’re proudly serve Corpus Christi, San Antonio, Rockport, Laredo, and Victoria, TX.