If you own any type of trailer, Dean’s Auto Repair provides trailer maintenance and repair services. We’ll repack your wheel bearings, inspect your lighting systems, and perform electrical diagnosis. We’re also able to clean, service, and adjust your brakes, and perform welding and other structural repairs. With every trailer service, we perform a 10-point safety inspection.
Living Quarters Maintenance for Trailers
Dean’s Auto Repair can take care of living quarters maintenance for your recreational trailer, including:
- Clean A/C filter
- Clean water pump
- Inspect all appliances
- Inspect carbon monoxide and propane detectors
- Inspect lighting and electrical systems
Trailer Generator Maintenance
Your trailer’s generator needs routine maintenance to perform reliably and efficiently. Generator maintenance includes:
- Changing the oil and filters
- Replacing the air filter
- Inspection for tune-up
- Exhaust inspection
- Power output inspection
Helpful Trailer Tire Facts
When you’re out on the road pulling your trailer, properly maintained tires are essential for a smooth, safe ride. Here are some helpful trailer tire facts.
Trailer Tire Applications
- Trailer tires are designed for use on trailer axle positions only. They are not built to handle the loads applied to—or the traction required by—drive or steering axles.
- An “LT” designation on a trailer tire size specifies load range only. It is not designed for use on light trucks.
- Do not mount “ST” or “LT” trailer tires on passenger cars or light trucks.
Inflation
- Always inflate trailer tires to the maximum inflation indicated on the sidewall.
- Check inflation when the tires are cool and have not been exposed to the sun.
- If the tires are hot to the touch from operation add three psi to the maximum inflation.
- Under inflation is the number one cause of trailer tire failure.
Load Carrying Capacity
- All tires must be identical in size for the tires to properly manage the weight of the trailer.
- The combined capacity of the tires must equal or exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) of the axle.
- The combined capacity of all the tires should exceed the loaded trailer weight by 20%.
- If the actual weight is not available, use the trailer GVW. If a tire fails on a tandem axle trailer, you should replace both tires on that side. The remaining tire is likely to have been subjected to excessive loading.
- If the tires are replaced with tires of larger diameter, the tongue height may need to be adjusted to maintain proper weight distribution.