Maintenance

Looking after your Trailer

If in doubt always ask – we will be always happy to answer any questions. Contact us on 01884 824 777 (Tiverton) or 01305 257 952 (Dorchester)

Galvanising

Wash the trailer occasionally to maintain the appearance, during winter conditions and the roads are salty, the salt can discolour the galvanising and though it will not compromise the galvanised coating it will look unsightly, so it is advised to wash salt off regularly.

Grease points

Grease points are fitted on the coupling draw tube of a braked trailer, grease these occasionally and lubricate the brake rod fork underneath to prevent seizure.

Wheel nuts / Bolts

Check wheel nuts/bolts and tyre pressures on a daily basis before use, and check the tyres for wear, splits and cracks.

Wheel nut / Bolt Torque settings

Tyre pressure

Note: always check what is printed on the tyre wall as some manufacturers pressure can differ slightly.

Bearings

Two types of wheel bearing are fitted; roller bearing, and taper roller bearing.

Roller bearing

Knott and Alko both use a one piece maintenance free roller bearing on some of their axles, raise the wheel and rotate it, if you get a rumbling sound it needs replacing. If removed, the nut can be tightened to 280Nm, it is advised to use a new nut.

Taper roller bearing

Check for adjustment by gripping the wheel and rocking top to bottom, if it appears loose, remove the grease cap and split pin, tighten up the castle nut rotating the wheel at the same time, once tight, back the nut off and re tighten finger tight and re fit the split pin.

Make sure there is sufficient grease in the hub by removing the front bearing and packing with grease or use the grease nipple if one is fitted.

Trailer brakes

Raise the wheel off the ground, behind the brake drum is a 17mm or 19mm nut depending on the axle, with a socket turn the nut in tight and then loosen back whilst rotating the wheel until you have good free movement, too tight will cause the brakes to bind and overheat the wheel bearing.

Do this to all wheels.

Parking

Do not leave the trailer with the hand brake on for long periods, chock the wheels and leave the hand brake off so the brake shoes do not stick to the brake drum due to moisture.

If the trailer is reversed into a parking position, always pull forward a couple of feet to allow the brake shoes to settle back into their running position, again this could cause them to stick to the brake drum if you do not do this.

Inspections

We recommend that you have your trailer inspected annually. At ABA Groundcare, we have a fully fitted workshop that can service and repair any make of trailer.