Tool Trailer Maintenance

By Robert Robillard on Home Maintenance

Tool Trailer Maintenance

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.

Preparing Your Tool Trailer For the Winter

  

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.

Preparing Your Tool Trailer For the Winter

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.

Preparing Your Tool Trailer For the Winter

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.

Preparing Your Tool Trailer For the Winter

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.

Preparing Your Tool Trailer For the Winter

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.

Preparing Your Tool Trailer For the Winter  

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.

Preparing Your Tool Trailer For the Winter
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.

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About the author

Robert Robillard

Carpenter / Remodeler / Editor

Rob Robillard is “The Concord Carpenter” Rob is a builder, general contractor, carpenter, woodworker, and editor of Concord Carpenter and ToolBoxBuzz As a General Contractor and carpenter, Rob owns and operates Concord Carpenter LLC. A full-service remodeling and construction company. Rob is a recognized leader in home building best practices and a source for how-to information for building professionals. On this website, Rob covers all aspects of home construction, building science, home improvement, woodworking, remodeling, and some of the best product and tool reviews. Rob is in charge of our Tool and Product Review series - Concord Carpenter Videos where we post all of our tool reviews and video tutorials. Rob approaches remodeling and building construction with a pragmatic and problem-solving approach. He enjoys using his knowledge and experience to help and educate building professionals as well as DIYers on best practices in the construction and remodeling industry. He's a strong advocate for "raising the bar" in the construction trades and promoting the trades to youth. #BeAMentor #Green2Great Craftsmanship, quality, and pride guide his journey on this channel The Concord Carpenter's motto: "Well done is better than well said!" : Read more about Rob

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