The Importance of Good Semi-Trailer Maintenance

When talking about truck maintenance, it's easy to overlook the proverbial other half - the trailer. A truck and trainer need to be treated as a team, with both receiving enough maintenance and repair to give great performance on the road. Unfortunately, it's common for fleet managers - and even independent owners - to neglect trailer maintenance in favor of their trucks.

Your semi-trailer should be brought to a trailer repair shop in Ohio at least as often as the truck, to ensure best

performance. These are some of the elements that should be focused on whenever talking about maintenance.

The Most Important Aspects of Semi-Trailer Repair and Maintenance

1 - Tires

The tires on your trailer are at least as important as the tires on the truck. You need sturdy and reliable tires in place to ensure you can maintain control of the trailer, especially in high winds or on slippery roads. 

Also, having your tires regularly inspected can often point towards other 'hidden' maintenance issues. Problems with the suspension, alignment, or shocks often first show as unusual wear patterns on the tires.

2 - Brakes

Without good brakes on your trailer, it's a highly dangerous object that could lose control at any time.  We strongly recommend having your trailer's brakes inspected often, probably every time you have an oil change.  This isn't an area of trailer maintenance that should ever be ignored.

3 - Lights

Properly functioning lights on your trailer aren't just a good idea for safety reasons - it's also the law.  Broken lights on trailers are one of the most common reasons the police might pull over a truck, and once you're pulled over, they can start looking for other violations as well.

Regularly check to make sure your trailer lights are all working properly and have them fixed ASAP if not.

4 - Lubrication

While your trailer doesn't have an engine and has fewer moving parts overall than your truck, proper lubrication is still important.  It can reduce wear and tear on components and limit the chances of a mechanical breakdown while in motion.

5 - Security

Finally, whenever doing maintenance or repairs to your trailer, always double-check all the security systems on the trailer. Theft is more common than ever today, and you need to do everything you can to prevent it.

Get Trailer Repairs & More Today

Mainline RV & Truck Service is a top trailer repair shop in Ohio, and we bring in traffic from across the state. If your trailer needs maintenance, don't put it off - schedule an appointment!