Heavy haul trailers are responsible for transporting overweight and oversized cargo, putting a lot of pressure on them. Additionally, due to their high capacity, there is a greater demand for heavy haul trailers.
However, they could easily get damaged when not properly and regularly maintained. Heavy haul trucking experts understand the importance of maintenance as well as safe operations for trailers, especially for oversized load transportation.
Why Heavy Haul Trailer Maintenance Is Important
When it comes to trailer maintenance, the crucial things to consider are regular inspections and awareness. Heavy haul trucking plays a crucial role in the oversized-load transport industry.
Furthermore, the reliability, safety, and efficiency of heavy haul trucking greatly depend on professional, meticulous, and consistent maintenance practices and schedules. Trailer maintenance is essential for all models, whether it’s a Landoll, Double Drop, Step Deck, RGN, or Flatbed trailer. Heavy haul trucking maintenance can ensure you of the following:
Safety Assurance
Heavy haul trailer maintenance allows you to protect your oversized load, other road users, and the driver. Regular inspections will be done to recognize and repair any potential problems before they can become safety hazards.
Operational Reliability and Efficiency
Regular trailer maintenance can help prevent sudden breakdowns that can be costly and can cause some disruption and delays to supply chain operations.
Extends Equipment Lifespan
Regular maintenance can help in extending the lifespan of your trailer. Heavy-hauling vehicles are one of the most significant investments for companies and extending their durability can help in enhancing their operational continuity.
Resale Value
Most often, companies would update their trailer fleet. Keep in mind that the condition and efficiency of heavy hauling equipment will be dependent on trailer maintenance practices and timeliness. Typically, when oversized load trailers are well-maintained, they can have a high resale value.
Boost Performance
Trailer maintenance can help in improving its performance, fuel efficiency, hauling capacity, and overall operations. Regularly checking the different parts of heavy haul trailers, including suspension, tires, braking systems, and others, can guarantee their peak performance.
Indications of Deterioration on Heavy Haul Trailer
Heavy haul trailers are regularly hauling oversized loads causing wear and tear on your equipment in the long run. However, you can prolong its efficiency by taking advantage of a regular trailer maintenance routine.
Experts of heavy haul trailers can easily detect any signs of trailer deterioration or recognize when it’s time for trailer maintenance. The following are some signs of deterioration in heavy haul trailers that you need to be aware of to prevent any further damage:
Tire Wear and Damage
If you detect any patterns of wear, uneven treads, bulging, or cuts on your tires, then perhaps it’s time that you should make an appointment for trailer maintenance. Take note that tire deterioration could likely cause accidents and blowouts.
Problems With the Suspension System
Inspect for any broken springs or sagging that can impact load distribution. Additionally, worn brushing can lead to misalignment.
Problems With the Brake System
Some common signs of deterioration on the brake system include leaking brake fluid and worn brake pads or drums. When neglected, this could impact braking efficiency and cause safety hazards.
General Wear and Tear
There are a lot of things that comprise general wear and tear on trailers such as the peeling or chipping of the trailer’s paint which could cause rusting and corrosion over time. That is why you must regularly check the paint and coating condition of your trailer.
Problems With the Electrical System
Electrical system issues such as faulty wiring or non-functional lights are signs of deterioration in your trailer. When these things happen, you should schedule trailer maintenance right away to prevent any further damage and safety hazards.
Tips On Effectively Maintaining Your Heavy Haul Trailer
Without these heavy haul trailers, it would be impossible to transport autos, construction supplies, and other oversized loads. Due to the high demand for these trailers, they must be regularly maintained.
You must create a trailer maintenance routine to ensure the optimization and durability of your transport trailer. According to oversized load transport experts, it is important to have a professionally scheduled maintenance routine to guarantee effective and efficient heavy-haul trucking services.
Be sure to follow the following tips to ensure that your trailer equipment is always in topnotch condition:
- Schedule professional trailer maintenance regularly.
- Conduct a pre-trip examination before any heavy haul trucking service.
- Figure out the capacity and needs of your heavy haul trailer.
- Inspect the lights and electrical system of your trailer.
- Constantly inspect the coupling system and the hydraulic cylinders of your trailer.
- Continually educate and train your staff about the latest maintenance practices.
- Protect your trailer’s body to prevent rusting and corrosion.
Regularly check the tire pressure on your trailer before hauling.
If you notice that your trailer tires are either spongy or flat, then they are under-inflated. Although there’s nothing to worry about if it only occurs on one tire since you can easily add air to the tire. However, if the tire pressure suddenly drops on many tires, then there might be a leak in the air system.
Examine your trailer’s suspension system consistently.
When examining your trailer’s suspension, be sure to check for any loosened or missing bolts and nuts. Take note that uneven tire wear is an indication of a misaligned suspension.
Lubricate movable parts of your trailer frequently to avoid any wear and tear due to friction.
You should know that you are not allowed to place your fingers on your trailer axles, particularly, the grease fittings. The axle oil should be replaced yearly, depending on how you frequently use your trailer.
Once the racing grooves have dried out, then moisture and debris could likely get into the bearings, which can damage them. In addition, high temperatures can also lose the viscosity of grease. To boost bearing lubrication, thicker lubes should be used during cold weather usage.
Check and properly maintain your trailer’s brake system.
Just like any other vehicle, it is crucial to regularly inspect and maintain your heavy-haul trailer brakes. This can help to make the road a safe place to travel for all drivers.
Check each brake shoe separately by rocking it back and forth while applying your parking brake. Try to observe if there is any play or stuttering. Likewise, the brake drum should respond accordingly from the side-to-side rocking.
Clean your trailer regularly to prevent any mess.
You might think that the cleanliness of your trailer is not important. However, a clean trailer does not only look good, but it can also help you detect minor issues before they become bigger ones.
Van Raden Industries LLC has expertise and knowledge when it comes to heavy haul trailer maintenance to ensure that your fleet of trailers will remain in top condition for reliability, optimal performance, and safety.
Having a well-maintained trailer can provide you with safety, enhanced return on investment, prolonged service life, and increased productivity. Heavy-haul trucking companies should prioritize proactive trailer maintenance practices. If you require heavy haul trailer maintenance, then you can contact us at 800-522-0099 / 360-314-4965 or email us at wvanraden@aol.com.
