The trailer season has now been extended considerably due to the milder autumn and winter weather as we mentioned in our previous blog post. This is why we use it more often in these seasons as well. Of course, the cold, wet and frosty weather can still arrive, so it is better to prepare for it in time.
Life does not stop in winter, a trailer is always needed
Renovation work for which trailers are essential will not stop during the autumn-winter months either, be it the removal of construction waste or the transport of raw materials. It comes in handy in case of moving if we do not want to pay tens of thousands of forints to the transport companies for the delivery of furniture and household objects.
Winter sports enthusiasts can be thankful if they have a trailer making it much easier to transport skis, snowboards and snowmobiles. But it’s important what condition our tailer is in.
Here are 5 +1 tips to help you get your trailer in order before winter
1. Check the tires
Of course, one of the most important things for safe driving is what tires our car and trailer are equipped with. It is very dangerous to drive on the roads with worn, damaged or cracked tires. This is especially risky during winter when roads are icy and slippery. Whether you use summer or winter tires on a trailer make sure the tread depth is right. The tread depth in summer is 1.6 mm, while in winter it is 4 mm.
2. Check unbraked axles
Poor Hungarian roads and potholes can shorten the life of the axles. For how long is an axle an axle? We measure their usability time in kilometres which can range from 20,000 kilometres to 200,000 kilometres. What does it depend on? The operating conditions, the conditions of the roads and the diameter of the wheels. Since the variance in lifespan is so great, it is worth checking their condition after you have covered 20,000 kilometres. Although they do not require maintenance, at times they also wear out and need to be replaced.
3. Maintenance of braked trailers
It is important that this is part of our daily routine. It is a good idea to take care of the brake cables by dropping a few drops of spindle oil onto the accessible part of the brake cables. This allows both the outer and inner parts of the brake cables to slide smoothly on each other and so their service life is significantly increased. Faulty and broken cables must not be repaired at home. They must be replaced. Also, examine the condition of the bowden housing. If it is damaged, it must also be replaced, dirt or water must not get into it.
4. Grease the drawbar
It is very important to take care of the drawbar all year round. It is best to grease it every six months to prevent damage. This is important both in case of frequent and rare use.
5. Coupling head maintenance
Where can you find the coupling head? It is an integral part of the drawbar but we must pay special attention to its inspection. It is extremely important to lubricate the pins traverse of the direction of travel with any kind of oil used for cars (except for brake oil) before winter comes. Be careful not to get them dirty. Treat the surface of the part connected to the tow ball with grease.
+1 Do not forget about setting the brakes correctly either
The brake is only good if it is set correctly. This is very important both in winter and summer. But on slippery roads a well-adjusted brake is even more important. We need to be careful as there is a greater chance that the trailer will push our vehicle if the brake is set incorrectly. Check the brake settings at least twice a year. If you are wondering how to adjust the brakes exactly, read our older blog post about it.
Why is maintenance important for trailers before winter?
By going through the points of the winter maintenance list step-by-step and actually checking everything, adjusting and replacing parts on the trailer, we can prevent expensive repairs. Not to mention that possible accidents are more likely to be avoided with a trailer in good condition.
If you need any Autóflex-Knott parts, you can buy it on our webshop or order it at rendeles@autflex.hu or on our domestic sales line at +3676502058.