Tow Vehicle Maintenance Tips for the Summer

How can you protect your tow vehicle from the added stress of the summer heat? Though the weather can take a significant toll on vehicle components, proper maintenance ensures your automobile is in the best shape possible to tackle towing tasks. To get your vehicle through the season without resorting to mobile trailer repair, look to these essential maintenance tasks.

Watch Trailer & Tow Vehicle Tires

Check tire pressure and tread depth regularly to avoid blowouts. This maintenance is especially crucial in the summer heat, which causes tires to break down much faster than usual. Our trailer repair shop urges owners to be vigilant about cosmetic damage, such as melted or cracked tires. If you notice any signs of such damage, you should bring your vehicle in for trailer repair service immediately.

Lose the Winter Gear

Now that cold weather is behind you, ditch snow tires to ensure better fuel efficiency. Be sure to wash your truck and trailer, removing any salt residue that may have accumulated during your winter travels. Just as ocean salt causes more frequent boat trailer repair, so too do de-icing salts take a toll on your tow vehicle and trailer. Fortunately, you can easily and inexpensively prevent this with a simple washing.

Beware Signs of Battery Issues

Hot, humid weather can speed corrosion. Check your battery regularly, cleaning it when buildup appears. In addition, watch for bloating and cracking to prevent getting stuck mid-trip due to battery failure. 

 

Keep a Close Eye on Coolant

Maintaining the correct coolant-to-water ratio in the summer is essential to avoid overheating. Proper levels of coolant are also critical, making the rapid replenishment of existing fluids key to preventing costly radiator – or worse – engine damage.

 

Properly prepare your truck for the sizzling summer heat, addressing trailer maintenance needs now to ensure smooth sailing on your summer adventures. Contact Ainsworth Trailer Repair to schedule maintenance or get a trustworthy repair quote today.

This article was previously published at: http://www.trailerrepairdenver.com/tow-vehicle-maintenance-tips-summer/

Avoid Roadside Emergencies with Summer Battery Prep

How does hot weather affect the battery on your tow vehicle, and what can you do to avoid summer battery snafus? Learn why the sizzling heat is so tough on automobile batteries, ensuring a reliable start on every summertime excursion with this battery prep advice from the experts at Ainsworth trailer repair shop. 

Too Hot to Handle – Summer Heat & Vehicle Battery Chemistry

Soaring summer temperatures have a greater impact on the internal, power-generating chemistry within your car battery than winter’s chill. As heat under the hood rises, so does the potential for battery failure. Corrosion accelerates. Water evaporates from the battery liquid electrolyte. Battery performance suffers, reducing its ability to start the engine, resulting in increased strain and a shortened battery lifespan. Because of this, millions of unsuspecting motorists end up stuck roadside in the summer awaiting mobile trailer repair services annually. 

Proactive Battery Service & Maintenance in the Summer is Crucial

Routine inspection of the battery, as well as other essential tow vehicle and trailer components, is a crucial part of pre-summer maintenance. How can you maintain this seemingly “closed” component?

●       Have your battery tested.
Your battery may not give any warning signs before it fails. Make a routine battery test part of your annual boat trailer repair and maintenance checklist, particularly for batteries more than two years old. This simple test takes just minutes.

●       Clear corrosion.
Check your battery for corrosion, clearing any buildup. Ensure battery connections are tight. Your battery should also be securely mounted, as excess vibration can shorten battery life. When performing this maintenance, be sure to follow proper safety precautions for handling the battery.

●       Replace your battery.
Battery age is a strong indicator of the need for replacement. Though most batteries last 3 to 5 years, lifespan can be significantly shorter in southern regions. If your battery is old, struggling, or tests indicate it’s underperforming, have your local trailer repair service replace your battery now to avoid unplanned delays later. Nothing ruins a trip to the lake faster than a dead battery.

Beat the heat with a sound battery backup plan. Contact Ainsworth Trailer Repair to schedule a battery and charging system test today.

This article was previously published at: http://www.trailerrepairdenver.com/avoid-roadside-emergencies-summer-battery-prep/