Preparing Your Trailer For the Winter
I often refer to myself as a carpenter but, in reality I’m a mobile contractor, moving from one project to the next, sometimes even two locations in one day. Many independent contractors work remotely, often on multiple projects at the same time.
In order to store and transport my tools I utilize a 6×10 tool trailer, it’s basically my workshop on wheels. Everything I need to do my job is in that trailer.
Tool Trailer Maintenance
Trailers do not need much maintenance, and the maintenance they do need is straightforward. You need a couple of tools that you may not already have, but nothing extraordinary. Maintaining your trailer will spare you from having to change wheel bearings on the side of a road somewhere.
Tire Pressure
Trailer tire blowouts are caused by insufficient tire inflation. Improperly inflated tires can easily be affected by uneven weight distribution.
Uneven weight distribution means that even though the total trailer weight may be under the gross rating of the trailer, individual tires can see larger loads than they are rated for. Check your tire pressure with a tire gauge and ensure that your tires are inflated to the proper psi.
Don’t forget to check the spare tire too.
Check The Wheel Bearing Grease
A very common failure point for trailer is the wheel bearings. The best way to ensure your wheel bearing will not fail is to grease them periodically. I always grease them prior to the winter since I won’t check it again till spring.
Check lighting
Since your’re working on your trailer, this is a good time to check all of the marker, direction and brake lights.
My cargo utility trailer wiring has a four-flat connector plug and uses LED lighting. Lighting failure often occurs with the vehicle’s four-flat plug being frayed, and corroded.
Road dirt and sand clog up the plug holes so I use 3-in-One garage Door Lube to clean out the plug , wipe it clean and then apply dialectic grease to the pins.
I do this at both the trailer plug and my truck receiver plug out let.
Check Receiver Pin and Safety Chains
Check for wear and tear of your safety chains and receiver pin. The receiver pin is located under your trick receiver and is prone to rusting out.
Lubricate Locks, Hasps and Hinges
It’s important to keep all moving parts lubricated and this includes the trailer locks. There is nothing worse than having your lock frozen or inoperable due to dirt and debris.
I use 3-IN-ONE Lock Dry Lube on all the locks and moving parts on my trailer. I first discovered the Lock Dry Lube after my trailer padlock had frozen one winter.
Desperate I grabbed a can out of my house and was able to free the frozen lock. Looking back I never cleaned or lubricated my locks and I’m sure they were full of moisture holding debris that seized my lock.
Lock Love
I have four locks on my trailer and use 3-IN-ONE Lock Dry Lube [aerosol version] to clean, lubricate and protect them. The Lock Dry Lube aerosol version penetrates quickly and deeply. It is clear, dries quickly and protects the internal mechanisms from corrosion ensuring smooth, reliable operation
The can has plastic straw tube that allows me to insert it into lock mechanisms and hinge pins for accurate placement.
Hinge and Hasp Love
Nothing stinks or squeaks more than a rusty hasp bar or trailer door hinge. I use the 3-IN-ONE Lock Dry Lube [oil version] to lubricate and protect my trailer hasps, and hinges from rust and corrosion.
It takes 1 minute to hit all of the pivot points on my trailer and they work beautifully for months before re-application is needed.
This post was sponsored by 3-in-One Oil.
