If you fancy yourself to be a jack of all trades, then you surely enjoy engaging in numerous DIY projects. This means that you have all the necessary tools to complete these tasks and enjoy spending time in the garage working on them. It also probably means that when something breaks, you are not one of those people how immediately call and hire a repairman.
Yes, there are some repairs that require a professional approach, but there are also those that you can fix on your own. In this article, we are going to focus on car trailers and give you some tips on how to maintain it in perfect condition, but also, we are going to help you make some small repairs.
Wash it regularly
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Let’s start with a basic maintenance task that you have to complete as often as necessary – cleaning the trailer. We believe that there is no point to further discuss why this is important. Besides improving the aesthetic appearance of it, at the same time, you are protecting all the parts from different kinds of damages. However dull this task may seem, it is something that has to be done, and the best part is that you won’t need anything besides water, any detergent, a hose, and a brush.
Inspect the fluids
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As you know, every vehicle consists of numerous moving parts and the most important thing that they need is oil. If you notice some small issues, the first thing that you should check is the fluid reservoir. The problem might be caused by the lack of it which means that it is something that can be fixed within minutes.
Still, there is one thing that you should be aware of. Some trailers require a specific type of fluid, so you should investigate what kind your vehicle needs. If you are not sure about this, you should check out the repair manual or you even might be able to find the answer online.
Examine the light bulbs
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Regularly ensuring that light bulbs work in not only important for your safety but keep in mind that you also might be pulled over and end up having to pay a fine. It is another task that should be completed every once in a while, and changing those that don’t work won’t take much of your time. This is especially important when it comes to brake lights, taillights, and turn signals.
You will probably need assistance from one of your household members since you will need someone to sit in the trailer and operate these while you look around to see if there are any issues. If you do notice some, the first thing that you should do is to replace the bulbs, and if this doesn’t work, then there might be some problems with the wiring.
Check out the wiring
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The previous trouble with the lights leads us to our next point – wiring. Sometimes the problem might be caused by dirt and debris that has accumulated, so all you have to do is to carefully remove it. On the other hand, some wire might have gone loose meaning that you have to locate where it happened and do some tightening. If this also doesn’t work, it is probably time to install new wires. Depending on the issue, you might have to find a specific wire, and you can learn about some general types on the ZWCables website, just so that you could understand what you need to purchase.
One more thing, if you are still not sure what the problem is you can test the wire by using a circuit tester. This little device will show you if there is power in them, and if you find out that there isn’t, the next thing that you have to inspect in the car battery.
Finally, if you cannot find the issue, it might be time to call a professional and ask them for help. As already said, you cannot perform every repair on your own.
Don’t forget about the tires
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There is absolutely no doubt that ensuring the tires are in perfect condition is the most important maintenance task that you cannot skip. Firstly, begin with checking out the pressure and making sure that it is between the limits. When it comes to these specifications, they are usually written on the tires, or you can check the manual once again if this is not the case. There is one trick – you should always perform this inspection when the tires are cold. As a general rule, it should be done at least three hours after the vehicle has been last used. This is due to the fact that results can be inaccurate if the test is performed on ‘hot’ tires.
Secondly, examine the wear of the tires. As you know, these have a normal life expectancy meaning that there is absolutely no excuse not to replace them when they get worn out. It would be very irresponsible of you to try to postpone this purchase because it is something that can gravely endanger your safety on the road.
Are some damages to the frame and body?
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This task is by far the easiest one since you will be able to notice if there are any loose parts by simply closely observing every inch of the vehicle. Also, squeaking sounds can tell that some bolts need to be tightened. If you have been in some sort of accident and there is serious damage to some part of the vehicle, you will probably have to take it to a professional and have it fixed. Most of the parts in trailer are made of aluminum and aluminum extrusions. They are easy to maintance.
Lastly, we have another piece of advice for you that will help you protect the paint and finish on the vehicle. Yes, we have already mentioned that the first thing you have to do is wash it regularly, but you should also apply a fresh coat of wax every six months. This way you will add another protective coat and prevent any potential rusting that can happen over time.
