Own a Semi-Trailer? Here’s How You Can Keep Up on the Maintenance

A semi-trailer is a large attachment to the back of a truck that is often ignored and unclean. Maintaining this trailer is recommended to prevent minor accidents that could delay your work schedule. There are several DIY ways to follow a proper maintenance routine.

Check the Tires

Semi-trailer tires are used every day and must be checked every few months, depending on the number of miles being traveled. Truck drivers should check the tire pressure first. Semi-deflated tires will slow down the vehicle’s speed and increase the risks of accidents.

Tires should never remain on a truck for longer than a few years, even if they appear to be in good condition. Drivers are encouraged to replace the tires every 25,000 miles at least.

Visually Inspect the Interior and Exterior

Inspect the inside and outside compartments of your semi-trailer every six months, up to once a year. Look for holes, cracks, and other defects that could worsen the damage in your truck and reduce the efficiency of your trips. A hole may cause a leak that spoils the cargo placed throughout the trailer, while a crack may introduce vermin into the interior. It’s recommended that drivers inspect the trailer before and after every long-term trip.

Pressure Wash the Trailer

Pressure washing helps to remove ingrained dirt and stains that have collected inside and outside of a trailer. Washing an entire interior using high-pressure water often takes as little as 10 to 30 minutes. The amount of PSI, or Pounds per Square Inch, the pressure that your truck needs vary from 1800 to 2200. It’s also important to clean the tires, wheels, and hard-to-reach spots.

Inspect the Brakes

Truck drivers should never wait until the brakes malfunction before making a trailer repair. A late sign of serious damage often leads to an accident. Inspect semi-trailer brakes every few thousand miles or every few months at least. Also, drive carefully by applying gentle pressure to the brakes instead of slamming the foot down, which significantly wears down the parts. Using proper care will increase the lifespan of your brakes.

Maintaining the semi-trailer is not an option for anyone who constantly drives long distances on various roads and highways. Truck drivers drive in all weather conditions, on all types of roads, and make frequent stops every few hours or so. They are adding a significant amount of wear and tear to their vehicles every day. Semi-trailer maintenance ensures that they are reducing the risks of accidents and staying safe.