With the onset of cold, humid, autumn weather at the end of November, everyone realises that slowly but surely winter is here. We look forward to winter and Christmas happily with a jolly heart. How can you be completely at ease? If your trailer is well prepared for the cold winter. In our prior blog post we wrote about what to check on your trailer before winter arrives. However, now we want to expand this checklist with some important information to the great delight of trailer owners. What are these? Everything becomes clear in our current blog post.
Treatment of the axle
We pointed out in our previous blog posts that you definitely need to check the axles. The condition of the roads in Hungary is not favourable for the lifespan of the axle. Depending on the road conditions their lifespan may vary, so it is a good idea to check them once a year so you are not surprised. In addition, it is worth keeping the axle clean, cleaning it with a wire brush. Furthermore, some axles also require surface treatment. If you need a new axle, take a look at the offers of Autóflex: brake-less rigid axles, brake-less torsion axles, torsion axles with drum brake, spiral spring axles with drum brake, rigid axles with drum brake, or in the case of refurbishment axle parts, brake rods, hubs and brake cables.
Trailer chassis protection
In addition to the axle, the chassis is also an important part of the trailer. Protection against rust and the corrosive effect of salt is essential to prolong the life of the trailer. First wash the surface with a high-pressure cleaner and then degrease it. By no means treat the surface of the chassis with used oil, choose a bituminous or other high quality chassis protector that guarantees to protect the metal sheets from corrosion.
How to inspect the chassis of your trailer? Rusty parts can usually be seen with the naked eye, but if you are not sure if it is really rusting or not, you can make sure with a simple knock test. Knock on the surface of the chassis if its hard then there is no corrosion, if the surface is soft, does not make a sound or the sound is very dull it is probably rusted.
Braked trailer: brake cables, rubber bellows, brake settings
In the case of braked trailers, inspect the brake cable lining and treat it with spindle oil. If you need to replace the brake cables, choose quality products and do not try home repairs. The cable housing must not be damaged, since water and dirt can enter it. Also, do not forget about the rubber bellows behind the coupling head. It is essential to check the brake settings. Check out our 8-point check list for trailer brake adjustment in our blog post for details.
Maintenance of the drawbar and the coupling head
It is important to grease the tow-bar every six months to avoid damage. The tow-bar can wear out as a result of use, since the rust can scrape off small layers of it reducing its diameter and it can decouple. Before greasing, it is advisable to degrease the tow-bar with brake cleaner and then re-lubricate it.
In the case of the coupling head, oil the pins transverse to the direction of travel. Be careful not to get them dirty. Then the the lip connected to the tow-ball should be treated with grease.
Check the electrical junction boxes.
It it also important to check the electrical junction boxes as they can take in water. An IP certified, waterproof plastic box generally does not take in water, but it is better to be safe then sorry. A short circuit can be avoided in this way.
Checking the lights and the connection
Each time you attach the trailer to the car and plug in the connectors, the light should be checked. In addition to the tail lights, do not forget to check the brake lights and the turn signals. After all, there are a lot of accidents every year due to the trailer lights not working properly, so vehicles run into the trailers from behind.
Also check the condition of the connectors replace the bad ones with new ones. You should also monitor the bulbs. If the connection is not good, use contact spray on the contact surface of the bulb, which keeps moisture away, thus protecting against corrosion and extending the life of the bulbs. If you need a new light choose from the offer of Autóflex, even a LED version.
Inspection of the bearings
You can easily check them by turning the wheels. If it makes a little sound it is not the end of the world. However, if it makes a grinding noise while rotating, it indicates a bearing failure.
Inspection of the wheels
You need to grease the dust cap, but do not put too much in it because a lot of grease can push the dust cap off the wheel. If the trailer stays stationary for a long time or if it is used frequently, it is advisable to grease the cap once a year. Before greasing, be sure to clean and degrease the dust cap then grease it.
Checking the condition of the tyres
One of the basic requirements for safe driving is the perfect condition of the tyres. Therefore, it is important to always check their condition. It should not be battered, damaged, worn out or cracked, since these are risk factors during transportation. Also check the tyre pressure and tread depth. Read our trailer tyre guide to get all your questions answered.
Protection of the closed section frame
To protect the closed section frame, make sure that no water splashes in the frame as water infiltrating from above during welding can freeze and destroy it in cold temperature. It is advisable to make drainage holes at the bottom of the closed section frame to prevent this from happening.
If you need any Autóflex-Knott trailer parts, you can buy them in our webshop or order them at rendeles@autoflex.hu or at our domestic sales line at +3676502058.