Why Quick & Dirty Roof Leak Repairs May Be a High & Mighty Mistake

Barraged by branches, wind, rain, snow and ice. Beaten by road debris and chemicals. Dinged (or annihilated) by low-hanging road signage. Subject to extreme temperature changes… Subject to such extreme conditions, all trailer roofs can suffer leaks, even new ones. Should you slap a band aid on it, or take your trailer into a professional for help repairing a trailer roof leak? The wrong decision now could cost you later.

Common Quick Fixes
If you’re just trying to ‘get there’ with your cargo, you may be able to patch things up temporarily with fixit favorites like caulk, roofing putties, sprays and roll-ons, mastic-backed and other specialty tapes, or patches. However these quick fixes merely ‘band aid’ the underlying issues – and like a real band aid, will eventually fall off.

Patching Things Up
With minor issues, like a leaky rivet, you could forego the repair shop for the time being. But even seemingly small holes – those over an inch in diameter – are best addressed with replacement sheeting over patches, and inspected by a professional to determine consequent damage and issues with structural integrity. The lightweight structure of trailers is heavily reliant on the roof and rails for support, and when leaks are left unattended, will eventually compromise the trailer structure.

Without Proper Attention, Trailer Damage Will Amplify from Leaks

●     Saturating pallets and boxes to compromise the structural integrity of loads.

●     Damaging goods and causing clients to reject cargo.

●     Rotting floorboards.

●     Degrading other essential structural components like trailer rails and walls, resulting in total trailer loss.

The Pay Now or Pay Later Conundrum
At Ainsworth, we’re honest folks, and we understand the appeal of quick fixes – because they’re typically also cheap, and seem like they keep you on the road. But the cold, hard truth is, this is a ‘penny-wise and pound-foolish’ assumption. A band aid cannot fix a progressing infection. For lasting repair, a trailer roof must be mended with the proper components. Environmental conditions must be right, and affected areas must be thoroughly cleaned, with loose roof coatings, sealant, and other stuck-on debris removed and surrounding materials completely dry for proper, lasting repairs. Without such attention, you’ll end up needing to replace the entire roof - or trailer! Proper, timely repair results in far less labor, downtime, damage, and money lost in the long run.

Luckily, repairing a trailer roof leak can be accomplished correctly, quickly, and affordably. Nix the ‘quick fix’ and schedule ‘express service.’ Find out more about our ‘fast lanes’ and fast, industry-renowned, dependable service and estimates. Contact Ainsworth today.

This post was originally published at http://www.trailerrepairdenver.com/quick-dirty-roof-leak-repairs-may-high-mighty-mistake/

Different Brake Systems for Trailers

Brake Systems for Trailers – Which is Best?

Frequent haulers and those lugging heavy loads require more braking power than the typical tow vehicle provides. In these situations, additional brake systems for trailers can provide the necessary stopping power to ensure safety and reduce wear-and-tear on tow vehicle brakes.

Adding a Trailer Brake System
There are two major types of trailer braking systems: Surge and electric brakes. What’s best for your application? 

●     Surge Brakes
Best Uses: Boat trailers and the occasional tower.
These self-contained systems take advantage of a trailer's weight and momentum to actuate the brakes. Unlike electric systems, no added controls or electrical connections are necessary for operation.  You press the tow vehicle’s brakes, and trailer pushes against a connection that compresses a hydraulic cylinder, transferring pressure from the trailer to the trailer brakes to provide added stopping power. Properly adjusted, they are easy to use. The downside? No capacity for driver control or adjustment, and maintenance and operational procedures require spot-on adherence to avoid issues that could result in vehicle damage when backing up or transporting over bumps and downhill.

●     Electric Brakes
Best Uses: Heavy hauling, frequent towing, and those looking for added braking control.
With the help of an in-cabin brake controller and an added electrical connection, electric trailer brakes give drivers more customizable brake operation via programming adjustments. Simple in operation, they employ an electromagnet to actuate drum brakes as programmed. You can even operate brakes on-the-fly, when descending hills, in high winds, or with trailer sway. However there are more than one type of in-cabin control module, affecting performance:

o      Proportional or Inertia-Based Brake Controllers
An inertia-based sensor provides power to trailer brakes proportional to vehicle momentum, allowing for smoother stops and more efficient braking than time-based controllers. These systems offer superior braking on hills (up or down), and are a boon for hauling livestock or other sensitive cargo, detecting changes in momentum and powering brakes accordingly.

o      Time-Based Brake Controllers
These systems activate with brake pedal use, performing as programmed by the driver. Effective and simple to use, but not as precise as inertia-based controllers, they are often sufficient for light duty hauls like pontoon boats and smaller campers.

Bring Braking Problems to an Abrupt Halt
Towing a trailer can take a heavy toll on your trailer and tow vehicle. Get the extra stopping power you need to better protect cargo and the brake system on your hauler. Upgrade your trailer brakes affordably and easily with the help of Ainsworth Trailer Repair today.

This post was originally published at http://www.trailerrepairdenver.com/different-brake-systems-trailers/

Boat Trailer Bearing Replacement: How Long Do They Last?

Putting off boat trailer wheel bearing replacement? If bearings fail, wheels can literally fall off the vehicle, and your boat will definitely go sailing off in the sunset… Just not quite the way you’d envisioned. Bearings should be greased, taken apart and serviced at least once per year. But that’s not a hard and fast rule. Maintenance and replacement needs will vary based on frequency of trailer use, wear-and-tear from water, mud, and road conditions, and how well you kept up with (or ignored) bearing service needs over the year.

How Do I Know When My Trailer Wheel Bearings Need Repacking/Replacement?

The bearings on your boat trailer reduce friction, allowing trailer wheels to spin freely about the axle. This takes a constant supply of lubrication – bearing grease – which must be regularly replaced to prevent damage. Luckily, your trailer will drop little hints when bearing issues are imminent. Are you ignoring these signs of worn wheel bearings?

●     Warm/Hot Hubs
Lack of lubrication can cause bearings to generate excessive heat. Carefully put your palm on the hub of each trailer tire. If it is too hot to comfortably handle or one is warmer than the other, this indicates the need for trailer bearing attention.

●     Noise
Grinding, clicking, and squeaking from trailer wheels often indicate a worn or defective wheel bearing in need of replacement – or the need to repack bearings with grease.

●     Grease in the Hub
When bearings seals go bad, grease can leak out and collect in the hub, and can even be blown into the fender.

●     Lost/Loose Dust Cap
Dust caps often come loose when issues with the bearing assembly exist, and should be replaced when bearings are serviced.

Grease the Wheels of Progress
Your boating time is sacred. Don’t spend your weekend stuck on the side of the road. Contact Ainsworth to schedule wheel bearing maintenance for your trailer today.

This post was originally published at http://www.trailerrepairdenver.com/boat-trailer-bearing-replacement-long-last/

The Woes of Improper Trailer Alignment

Most weekend warriors never give a second thought to trailer alignment. Even some hard-earning haulers overlook it. However neglecting regular alignment can cause you to leave a trail of money in your wake, adversely affecting safety, performance and function. 

Big Trouble from Minor Misalignments
Pre-aligned from the factory, potholes, curbs, and even everyday driving conditions slowly beat alignment out of spec. Involving the minute measurements and adjustments of just 3 components: Axle orientation, axle toe, and axle camber, ensuring the proper alignment of your trailer (or tow vehicle) will keep it tracking straight and true, as will the proper alignment of the hauler with the trailer. But what happens if alignment is off just a smidge?

Improper Alignment Can Cause a World of Woes

●     Irregular Tire Wear & Increased Frequency of Replacement
When axles are improperly aligned, tires scrub and oppose one another, wearing quickly and unevenly and resulting in the need to replace expensive tires far more often.

●     Loss of Control
A misalignment of as little as ¼-inch can make it nearly impossible to keep your vehicle centered in the lane. In addition, excessive tire wear or uneven tread from misalignment robs steering control, particularly on low-friction surfaces such as wet pavement, making it difficult to accomplish quick, precise maneuvers, and negatively affecting vehicle stability.

●     Poor Fuel Economy
Dog tracking (when it looks like a vehicle is moving sideways down the road when viewed from behind – or when you look at your side mirror and clearly see one side of the car more than the other), also results from misalignment. When this occurs, drag and rolling resistance are increased, putting strain on the engine and gobbling up more fuel as the motor works harder to haul the tow vehicle down the road.  

●     Excessive Vehicle Vibration
Axle misalignment can also cause excessive vibration in the steering wheel or operator’s seat, not only creating an uncomfortable ride, but contributing to muscular fatigue and driver stress.

Get the Most Out of Your Rig
If your trailer is eating tires and your gas mileage is giving you heartburn - and you’ve checked the obvious – it might be your alignment. Avoid unnecessary downtime, repair costs, and wear-and-tear with this simple, cost-effective service. From household boat trailers to corporate car haulers, we’ve got you covered. Schedule your alignment with Ainsworth Trailer Repair today.

This post was originally published at http://www.trailerrepairdenver.com/the-woes-of-improper-trailer-alignment/

The Skinny on Heavy Equipment Trailer Axle Repair

The Skinny on Heavy Equipment Trailer Axle Repair

Whoa nelly. Heavy equipment trailer axle repair is a big deal. Mega loads. Massive weight. Major responsibility. Safely and successfully transporting such loads requires equipment built and maintained to handle these extremes – and drivers with the skills to get them where they’re going. 

Big Responsibilities
Hauling heavy-duty loads requires discipline, attention-to-detail, and follow-through, especially when it comes to trailer operation and care. That’s why hauling heavy loads and equipment requires proven driver experience. Because hauling such extreme loads is more dangerous, it also involves extra rules and regulations to ensure the safety of all those on the road, including those involving maintenance and repair.

Are You Toeing/‘Towing’ the Line?
Whether you’re hauling logs or delivering excavating equipment or automobiles, there’s little margin for error when hauling exceedingly heavy or oversize loads. To put it plainly, such absurdly large loads – if mishandled or carelessly towed with sub-par equipment – can likewise lead to an absurd amount of damage or even life-altering injury should an incident occur. Because trailer components bear the brunt of this repetitive abuse, your maintenance schedule must be followed like the timeline of a space shuttle launch, and should include ALL axle components, not just the quick and dirty repacking of bearings…

●     Axles
Axle geometry and axle components should be regularly inspected every 6-12 months, with adjustments to axle orientation, toe, and camber to ensure straight, true tracking. Failure to do so can lead to reduced vehicle stability and loss of driver maneuverability that could prove deadly. Proper alignment also preserves fuel economy and tire life, lessens muscle-fatiguing vibrations, and prevents unexpected and costly breakdowns.

●     Bearings
One of the most important services you can perform on your trailer, wheel bearings should be repacked every XX months, at an absolute minimum. Though the process seems simple, however, the devil is in the details, and if improperly performed, could cause your brakes to malfunction. Expert knowledge of manufacturer's specs, high-quality grease, and new (not re-used) cotter pins are detrimental repacking to ensure proper operation and safety.

●     Brakes
Your brakes are all that’s standing between you and stopping that overlarge load. Do you regularly check yours? Regular inspection and timely maintenance reduce the likelihood of increased braking distances and related accidents and incidents more common with heavier loads.

Living large? Whether you’re toting a low boy, roll-back, drop deck, flatbed or hydraulic tilt trailer, Ainsworth Trailer Repair has the extreme experience, skills and heavy duty parts you need to keep large loads moving safely down the road. Contact us to schedule essential maintenance or repair on your heavy duty hauler today.