Dont Get Stuck With a Broken Down Trailer! Rely on McFarlane’s for Maintenance and Repair

As with any mechanical device with moving parts, your trailer is susceptible to wear and tear. Over time, these can take a toll. Regular maintenance helps keep your trailer working as efficiently as possible. If you choose not to do the maintenance yourself, you can take it to McFarlane’s for trailer service and repair.

Importance of Regular Trailer Service and Maintenance

There are several reasons why you should have regular trailer maintenance. The most important is safety. A trailer that is worn out or poorly maintained could break down and cause an accident in which you or other people could get hurt. Regular maintenance helps you ensure that your trailer is roadworthy. It doesn’t necessarily mean that you won’t have an accident, but it decreases the likelihood that your trailer is the cause of it.

Regular maintenance allows you to identify and fix problems with your trailer before they have the opportunity to become bigger ones. This helps to prevent major malfunctions that are expensive to repair in the future. Avoiding wear and tear on your trailer and fixing small problems before they have the opportunity to become bigger helps to increase the longevity of your trailer, thus protecting your investment.

Examples of Trailer Maintenance You Should Have Done Regularly

Trailer maintenance can be a big job. It helps if you make lists and what needs to be done and schedule when it needs to be done. Here are some examples of the types of trailer maintenance you should do regularly.

Check the Suspension

The suspension protects the cargo from bumps and jolts while on the road. You should inspect the suspension frequently to make sure that the pressure is equal throughout and that nothing interferes with its movement. Check the suspension after loading the cargo to make sure its clearance is still adequate. If not, the trailer may be overloaded.

Inspect the Body and Frame

A trailer on the road experiences constant vibrations as well as occasional sudden jolts. Over time, this can cause locking mechanisms, such as bolts and fasteners, to become loose. These could come apart completely while on the road if not tested and retightened regularly.

Check the Braking System

Not all trailers have braking systems. For a smaller trailer, the towing vehicle’s braking is usually sufficient to stop it. However, larger trailers often have their own braking systems so that their inertia does not take them in unexpected directions. If your trailer has brakes, you should check them regularly to make sure you can rely on them in a situation in which you have to stop suddenly.

Inspect the Tires

Worn or damaged tires can cause a blowout while on the road. At best, this is an inconvenience; at worst, it is a potentially life-threatening situation. Check tires frequently for wear and have them rotated so their wear is even. Assess tread depth frequently and have the tires replaced when it gets less than one-sixteenth of an inch. Tires exposed to weather extremes may crack, while tires that have been in storage for a while may deflate. Maintain adequate tire pressure before using the trailer.

Trailer Service and Repair From McFarlane’s

We provide comprehensive repair and maintenance services for most types of trailers, including livestock, gooseneck, and open utility trailers. If you discover irregularities with your trailer while performing your own maintenance, you can bring it to us for repairs. We will perform a diagnostic to pinpoint the problem and then repair it in a thorough and timely manner.

Another option is to bring your equipment trailer to us for its regular maintenance. We perform a meticulous inspection, and if we find any problems or concerns, we discuss your options with you and get your approval before we go to work fixing it. Learn more about our approach to trailer service and repair.