Owning a trailer comes with plenty of benefits, whether you use it for work to haul your equipment to and from job sites or for play to haul your ATV. While trailers are great when you need them, they also require regular maintenance and occasional repairs. Without the proper maintenance, you may end up dealing with a common trailer repair.
Know When to get your Trailer Serviced
A trailer in need of repair can be dangerous for you and those on the road with you. It’s a good idea to know the signs that your trailer needs repair before it’s too late. Let’s look at some of the indicators your trailer needs repaired and some of the most common trailer repairs you could end up dealing with. There are three main signs of a trailer needing to be repaired. If you notice any of these indicators, you will need to take your trailer in for service as soon as possible or fix it yourself with the right parts.
Your Trailer Needs Repair When It’s Hard to Stop
When it becomes difficult to stop your trailer, it’s time to check your braking system and axles for repair needs. If you suspect the brakes aren’t working or would just like to check them, it’s a relatively easy task. First, lift the trailer up on jack stands, whether electric or hydraulic brakes you can pull the breakaway, then try to spin the wheels. The wheels should be locked up. If the wheels can turn, then further diagnosis would be necessary. If air brake equipped, it’s common with air-brakes to hear an audible air leak within a braking system, but any issues you notice stopping the trailer need to be taken seriously.
If you are still struggling to get your trailer to stop could also be a sign of a bent axle or another needed repair. Depending on how the trailer is acting, you may need to take off one of the tires to discover the issue.
Felling Trailer Electric Brake Maintenance (PDF)
Felling Trailer Air Brake Maintenance (PDF)
Your Trailer Needs Repair if you have Faulty Lighting
Just about every trailer comes equipped with lights and wiring, and sometimes it needs to be repaired. If the lights are flickering or not working, this can be a significant safety issue. You may be dealing with something as simple as a blown fuse, a loose connection, or as severe as faulty wiring or electrical shorts.
Your Trailer Needs Repair if you have Tire Failure
When the trailer starts to pull your vehicle to one side or another, you might have a tire issue. Before each tow, you should check your trailer’s tire pressure and inspect it for wear. During the inspection it’s possible you noticed a crack or bulge in one of the tires. If this is the case, it’s time to get your trailer tires checked out before you end up stranded on the road’s side. Read more about tire maintenance and avoiding a tire blow-out here. (See the Tire Wear Chart below)
Anytime your trailer isn’t towing normal, you want to diagnose the problem. Sometimes, it’s as simple as inspecting the trailer and finding the issue. You should always complete a pre-trip walk around before each use. Probably the most common trailer repair you will encounter will have to do with your tires. Beyond your tires, there are other common wear parts that, over time, will need to be repaired or replaced.
Along with tire repairs, you may encounter these common trailer repairs:
- Hub Replacement
- Bent Axles
- Repacking Bearing
- Wiring/Lighting Repair
You may be able to handle several of these trailer repairs on your own with the right parts. Getting the right parts to fix your trailer will get you back to on the road quickly. We are here for you if you have questions on parts and service needed for your Felling Trailers products. Call Felling Trailers at 1.800.245.2809 or fill out this simple form.
Thanks for explaining that you probably need to get your trailer repaired if the lights are flickering since that can be a pretty big safety issue. My dad was taking us camping the other month, and I noticed that some of his tail lights on his trailer don’t work anymore. I think it would be smart for him to look into where he can get those repaired so that he can keep himself and other drivers safe.
Awesome post! Keep up the great work
Thanks for sharing this wonderful article. Trailer breakdowns can occur unexpectedly and its always better to follow the signs of repair.