As the spring season nears, you have outdoor jobs that require attention. Check your aluminum flat deck trailer for road readiness before hooking up and heading out. An equipment inspection is essential to keep your trailer safe and capable of meeting hauling demands. If your trailer has been stored for a few months, there are items you may not think of that need to be looked over. We’ve compiled a list of items to review. Depending on the age and condition of your trailer, you should be able to inspect your equipment in a short amount of time and be on the road soon.

Spring Maintenance Tasks

Regular maintenance of the following items will prevent unnecessary wear and tear and keep you and others safe on the roads.

Tires

Proper tire pressure is one of the most important things to maintain. Underinflation is a safety hazard that leads to blowouts and causes swaying or other control problems while driving. If the tires are older, be certain to inspect the tread and check your owner’s manual for replacement information.

Wheel Bearings

Bearings need to be routinely inspected and serviced due to the stress on your trailer from heavy loads and mileage. Make sure they are properly packed and greased before a new hauling season begins.

Chains

When you hook up the trailer for the first time of the season, make sure the safety chains are connected right. One essential task is to cross the chains in the event the hitch breaks loose. The chains will catch the hitch to prevent an accident.

Lug Nuts

Always tighten the lug nuts after a trailer is removed from storage or if it’s been parked a long time. If you are tightening with an impact gun, check the manual to find the torque requirements so the lug nut is not over-tightened which may cause shears or cracks from too much pressure.

Lights and Wires

Check the connections on all of the lights and wires. Sometimes you need a spotter to make sure everything is working correctly. If lights aren’t working, start by checking the bulbs. Then look over the connector prongs, wire splices and ground connections. Inspect these lights for proper connectivity:

• Brake lights
• Running lights
• Hazard lights
• Turn signals

Search for signs of wear. If wires are frayed, damaged or cut, replace them immediately.

Undercarriage

The undercarriage of your trailer takes a lot of abuse from hauling on rough roads and other surfaces. Carefully examine your springs and hangars for cracks or wear. Replace them if the condition shows extensive damage or deterioration.

Brakes

Brakes should be operating well before using your trailer. Replace worn pads and parts according to the brake maintenance schedule in your owner’s manual.

Breakaway System

The breakaway system lanyard should be attached to the tow vehicle. Be sure it is not connected to the ball mount or safety chains.

Trailer Connectors

The coupler, hitch and drawbar and any other equipment that secures the trailer to the towing vehicle should be adjusted and secured as needed. Make sure the trailer is seated properly before towing.

Safety Review

Safety is essential for anyone towing a trailer. It is important to check that the size of the load meets the capacity of the trailer. Secure the load properly and leave plenty of space between you and other drivers when braking or turning.

Get Outfitted With the Right Trailer

Millroad Manufacturing has the aluminum flat deck trailer to fit your requirements for hauling jobs and recreational vehicles. If you need a special design, we will custom build one to your exact specifications with all of the options you want. Please contact us with questions or trailer requests.