Winter is here, and that means low temperatures, road salt, snow and ice. This doesn’t just make breakdowns and equipment failures more of a pain, they can make your next haul turn deadly. These winter maintenance tips will help you get your trailer in shape for the season, whether you have a dry van or a trailer.
TIRES
Blowouts are bad any time of the year, but on icy roads, they can make your rig lose control. Inspect the tires on your trailer, checking the tire tread depth and wear. You should also keep an eye on tire pressure. On average, air pressure will drop by 2% for every 10°F decrease in air temperature.
Look over your tire chains or tire cables. Are you carrying enough for your vehicle? Do you know how to install them properly? Going through a practice run now can help you find problems with damaged chains and attachment points.
GREASED UP
Greasing axle components doesn’t just increase the life of bushings, it also shields these components from corrosive ice melting products, water and dirt and grim. Also grease your support legs to protect them from these same contaminants and to prevent freezing.
AIR SYSTEM
With your air system, it all starts with the tractor. Make sure to drain your air tanks on a regular basis. Have the air dryer on your tractor serviced. Air system freeze ups are a common type of breakdown in freezing weather. Replace glad hand seals. Carefully inspect the air lines on the back of the tractor for cracks or wear, when in doubt change them out.
Clean your 7 way pigtail on the back of the tractor and grease both ends with dielectric grease to insure proper electrical connections.
CLEAN
Keep your trailer clean. Ice and snow build up adds weight and increases turbulence. This makes the trailer harder to steer and reduces fuel economy. Winter precipitation is also laden with salt, which attacks metal. Most buildup occurs around mud flaps, frame members and deflectors.
Be aware of ice and snow buildup on the roof of your trailer. This can come off the back when going down the highway. It is a hazard for vehicles that are behind you.
SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE
To keep scheduling simple, most companies and shops perform scheduled maintenance on refrigeration units alongside tractor maintenance. This could make it easier to miss small problems, letting them turn into failures. Make a winter maintenance checklist part of your routine. This includes the basics, like oil and coolant levels, as well as a visual inspection of the unit. Look over hoses, clamps and belts, and check belt tension. These parts are under extra strain in cold weather. Likewise, you should make sure the battery still has enough cranking power at low temperatures. A clean evaporator makes cooling easier, saving wear and tear on your reefer unit.
The information in this blog is a general guide and should be used as a reference. For more specific instructions on how to properly winterize your trailer or semi, please reach out to us. We would be happy to help. Craftsmen Utility Trailer is a full service trailer dealership with a sales department, parts department and full service department – the largest in the Midwest!
