Your Great Dane Trailer Air Brakes Are Essential

Is your air brake system on your Great Dane trailer up to the task? You're used to the hiss of your air brakes. Compared to the hydraulic braking systems on smaller cars, air brakes are reliable, powerful, and easier to maintain. These are just a few of the many reasons they're relied upon by the trucking industry to large, heavy vehicles.

 Air Brake Performance Blows Hydraulic Systems Out of the Water

Unlike hydraulic braking systems, which require manual maintenance and specialized fluids, the air used in the braking system of your Great Dane trailer is readily available. Your compressor collects it, filling it into your storage tank to the set pressure of your governor. Valves maintain one-way pressure, ensuring in the event of a leak your tank is protected. As you put pressure on your brakes, air pressure is fed through the lines, moving the necessary system components to apply the amount of braking force you require.

In contrast to hydraulic brake systems, your air brake system will not experience a full system failure in the event of a leak. Such an event would pose extreme danger in a heavy, loaded down semi. Your air brakes are instead designed to engage automatically in the event of a pressure drop. This emergency system on your Great Dane trailer is activated by a simple dashboard switch, offering strong, reliable braking power that can be applied to all trailers at once.

There are Few Downsides to Properly Maintained Air Brake Systems

When a hydraulic system line opens and leaks, the line must be replaced, and the entire system flushed out and bled to remove air bubbles. Fortunately, the air brake system on your Great Dane trailer isn't anywhere near this high maintenance. Air brake system repairs are fast and easy, only requiring the replacement of the leaking/faulty line. Brake system problems are easily avoided with proper fleet trailer maintenance, including:

●       Checking the function of your air dryer.
Check your air dryer annually, verifying the proper function of desiccant, purge, and check valves.

●       Routinely changing your compressor filter.
A clean filter keeps moisture, dirt, and oil out, safeguarding your air brake system.

●       Regularly releasing moisture from the air tank drain valve.
Drain this valve regularly as part of your pre and post-inspection maintenance duties.

●       Employing the use of gladhand clamps.
Clean the rubber seals on gladhand clamps regularly, replacing them when they get brittle. Always use “dummy” gladhands when your truck and trailer are disconnected. These components are essential to keeping dirt and debris out of your air brake system.

Are your air brakes ready to spring into action? Give the air brake system on your Great Dane trailer the attention it deserves. Contact Ainsworth Trailer Repair to schedule a contaminant test and professional inspection with our trailer brake repair experts today.

This article was originally published at: http://www.trailerrepairdenver.com/trailer-break-repair/great-dane-trailer-air-brakes-essential/

 

Should You Repair or Replace Damaged Tires on Your Great Dane Trailer?

Is it time to replace the tires on your Great Dane trailer, or can they be repaired? When the tires on your trailer become damaged, it’s often hard to tell if they’re salvageable. What should you look for when inspecting your tires for signs of life?

Common Signs of Damaged Tires

Routine and frequent visual inspections of your tires are among the most important fleet trailer maintenance tasks you can do to ensure a timely, safe trip. Watch for tires with shallow tread that has worn down to indicators or "wear bars." Regularly check your tires punctures from nails, cracks, bulges, splits, a "choppy" appearance, and low pressure, which often indicates hidden damage. Tires that are compromised will also showcase uneven wear, typically from neglected or improper alignment.

How to Tell How Much Tire Trouble You’re In

If the tires on your Great Dane trailer aren't looking so great, a quick trip to your local trailer repair shop is recommended. Though it can be tempting to carry on with your delivery, give your wheels a rest. Regardless of the level of damage to your tires, driving on compromised tires is dangerous. Tires damaged from roadways incidents, such as running over objects in the road, pose a substantial risk for blowouts.

The Repair Versus Replacement Conundrum

The seasoned pros at Ainsworth trailer repair have seen some pretty terrible tires. We’re experts on when replacement is necessary for your safety, helping you avoid the need for costly mobile trailer repairs. As with other damaged items, there are sure signs of the need for tire replacement.

●       Low tread depth.
Any tires with a tread depth of less than 1.66mm are too worn for repair. Worn tires are unsafe, offering minimal traction. They cannot channel water and snow. Replacing worn tires now helps you avoid citations and "out of service" violations.

●       Deep, wide, or high punctures.
Holes and splits greater than a quarter of an inch, damage near preexisting repairs, destruction deep enough to expose steel belts, and damage to the sidewall cannot be repaired or patched.

●       Sidewall damage from underinflation/leaks.
We frequently see vehicles limped in for tire repair on underinflated tires, which generates a lot of heat. This is a fast way to destroy tires. In this situation, it's best to throw on a spare to avoid replacement.  

 

 Skip the Plug – Schedule Fast, Permanent Repairs Now

We’ve seen an assortment of DIY solutions in our semi trailer repair shop. We know they're tempting, but we urge you to skip the plug. We can get you in and out of our trailer repair fast lanes in minutes – not hours or days. Unlike our lasting repairs, plugs are a quick fix and, unfortunately, often cause extensive internal damage to tires that is impossible to repair. A quick internet search will show you stop leak sprays are even worse.

Fix a flat on your Great Dane trailer without delay. From repair to a wide range of in-stock replacement tires, we’ve got you covered. Get back on your way fast with the help of Ainsworth Trailer Repair today.

This article was originally published at: http://www.trailerrepairdenver.com/fleet-trailer-maintenance/repair-replace-damaged-tires-great-dane-trailer/