Is Crud Crippling Your Trailer Air Brake System?

Your trailer air brake system is comprised of multiple components, each designed to cut crud, keeping your system clean, safe, and operational. Without proper maintenance, however, these essential components will fail to function properly, crippling your trailer or worse, leading to brake failure and crash.  

How Clean is Your Air Brake System?
These components, when properly spec’d and maintained, work together to keep your air brake system clean and operational:

• Compressor filter
  This filter, located at your compressor outlet, removes most system contaminants including moisture, oil and dirt, making regular replacement key to safeguarding air brake system components.
• Air Dryer
  Virtually standard on today’s semi-trucks, air dryers, as the name suggests, keep moisture out of your air brake system. Checking the condition of your air dryer at-least annually, including desiccant, purge and check valve operation, ensures the function of this key component.
• Air Tank Drain Valve
  After the compressor filter and dryer clear things up, your air tank drain valve allows for the removal of what moisture and contaminants remain. Making certain this valve is drained regularly is essential, and should be part of your pre and post-inspection checklist.
• Gladhand Clamps
  These coupling devices are located on the rear wall of the cab/sleeper. When twisted on,
  they connect the tractor to the trailer, supplying air to the trailer brakes. With the aid of a rubber seal, they prevent water from entering and air from escaping the system. ‘Dummy’ gladhands, used when the truck and trailer are not connected, likewise keep dirt and debris from entering the air brake system, and should be used every time the trailer is detached from the tractor. Because rubber seals on gladhands get dirty and brittle over time, regular cleaning and replacement is a must.

Cutting the Crud
If you’ve ignored your air brake system, or a contaminant test reveals a need for attention, professional inspection and maintenance is advisable to ensure the safety of your air brake system. Cleaning system components typically involves a multi-step procedure where safety and attention-to-detail is paramount, from safely securing wheels, to carefully blowing out the system with clean, dry compressed shop air (without introducing additional contaminants), and inspecting valve diaphragms for oil.   

Are Your Brakes Safe?
At Ainsworth, our certified, professional technicians have 115 years of combined experience, quickly identifying and rectifying air brake system repair issues in our 20,000 square foot, 13-bay repair facility with OEM-quality replacement parts. Ensure the safety of your truck, cargo, and most importantly yourself and roadside passengers. Smooth-out and balance your brakes with the help of the A+ BBB-rated services of Ainsworth Trailer Repair. Contact us for a free estimate today.

This post was originally published at http://www.trailerrepairdenver.com/crud-crippling-trailer-air-brake-system/

Gravity Stinks: (How to Tell) When Semi -Trailer Leaf Springs Go Bad

Over time, gravity can take as big of a toll on semi-trailer leaf springs as it does on your body. All the bangs, bumps, and mileage-related wear-and-tear inflicted over time will eventually warp its figure. Also like your body, it’s easy to overlook the changes of time and assume trailer components remain the same beneath the surface.

Are Your Leaf Springs Secretly Shot? Look for these 3 Signs:
To find your leaf springs, look beneath the front or rear of the trailer, above or below the axle. They’ll look like a smiley or archery bow, a configuration which helps them absorb gravity – and the load in your hauler. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to determine the state of your springs. To find out if they’re in need of an upgrade, put on some clothes you don’t mind getting dirty, and look for these signs:

1. Evident abuse.
   Cracks in the spring, or jagged, broken or missing pieces are a sign you need new leaf springs now, before they fail.
2. Sag.
   Sag under heavy loads is a prime indicator of worn-out leaf springs in need of replacement.
3. Bounce and sway.
   We’re not talking dance moves here. If your trailer endlessly bounces or sways like a cartoon every time you hit a bump, they’re not absorbing shock like they should, and are in need of replacement.

Leaf Springs Fallen Flat?
At Ainsworth Trailer Repair, our warehouse stocks an array of OEM-quality replacement parts, including leaf springs, coils, and other key suspension components, ready and waiting for express lane service, or for use in our 20,000 square foot, 13-bay repair facility.

Bring your ride back with the experienced, industry-renowned, A+ Better Business Bureau rated services of Ainsworth. Give your trailer a lift and your cargo a smoother surface, free of sags. Iron out the wrinkles in your suspension with the help of Ainsworth Trailer Repair today.

This post was originally published at http://www.trailerrepairdenver.com/gravity-stinks-tell-semi-trailer-leaf-springs-go-bad/

The Importance of Maintaining a Trailer Brake System

Is your trailer brake system in disrepair? If so, you could be in for a nasty surprise. Trailer brakes are a fail-safe for loads that exceed your tow vehicle braking capacity. This ‘extra’ set of brakes also improves stability in slowing/stopping, reducing the risk of jackknifing in emergency-stop situations.

Trailer Brakes Require the Same Maintenance as Passenger/Tow Vehicles
Not much different in function, trailer brakes are at-risk of all the same maintenance issues as passenger and tow vehicles, not to mention additional woes in those toting water-friendly vehicles like boats and jet-skis. In these haulers, water contamination, corrosion and rust, as well as failure to clean, repack, adjust trailer bearings regularly, can lead to the early demise of your braking system, putting you and your cargo at-risk of a serious accident.

Are Your Trailer Brakes Up to Par? Trailer Brake Inspection
Routine trailer brake inspection will ensure brakes are fully functional, releasing when your hauler is in-motion, and applying evenly and properly when braking. Have your brakes professionally inspected annually, at a minimum. Between inspections, remain on the lookout for….

●        The condition of drums, shoes, springs & hardware.
Thin, worn shoes and drums and badly corroded items should be rapidly replaced.

●        Thin, worn rotors (disc brakes).
On disc brake systems, replace thin, warped, or cracked rotors immediately.

●        Wheel cylinder, master cylinder & brake line fluid leaks (hydraulic systems).
Including inspecting the condition of brake fluid for rust, sediment, and water infiltration. Leaking systems should be bled to remove air in lines, and fluids regularly replaced to inhibit the internal corrosion of brake system components.

●        The condition of wiring, connectors, magnets, and batteries on electrical systems.
Routinely check the main connector, ensuring the emergency battery is securely mounted and fully-charged.

●        Bearing issues affecting brake performance on boat trailers.
Worn wheel bearings leaking grease can contaminate brake linings, negatively impacting performance. Brakes should be inspected when wheel bearings are serviced for damage/replacement needs.

●        Operational issues:

o   Surge/Hydraulic System
Brakes should apply fully and evenly, barring fluid leaks/air in lines. When wheels are raised, they should spin freely by hand. Looseness/roughness in the spin indicate wheel bearing issues.

o   Electric Systems
Unplugging the trailer and energizing the system with a 12-volt battery, or activating the emergency stop system, should result in brake application. Failure to apply indicates wiring, breaker/fuse, ground or magnet issues.

●        Adjustment issues.
Trailer brakes should be adjusted based on driving conditions, trailer load, and driver preferences. Keep in mind when towing, heavier loads require more braking force. Loose surfaces/wet roads require less force to prevent wheels from locking. Brakes should be driven a short distance before adjustment, and warmed under normal conditions: ¼ mile and a series of stops at 25-45 mph is recommended. Adjustable delay settings should likewise be fine-tuned so the tow vehicle/trailer work in harmony when brakes are in-use. If brakes don’t work under operating conditions, but work fine in the service bay, this indicates issues with the vehicle/brake controller.

Don’t risk your ride. Put a stop to brake problems with regular maintenance and inspection. Contact Ainsworth Trailer Repair and schedule an ‘express lane’ brake service today.

This post was originally published at http://www.trailerrepairdenver.com/importance-maintaining-trailer-brake-system/

Bad Tires or Bad Truck? Ainsworth Investigates

Do your tires have flat spots, shoulder wear, punch wear, or show signs of feathering, cupping or scalloping? Tires can tell you a lot about the mechanical condition of your vehicle – if they’re inspected BEFORE they’re replaced and taken off. Catching irregular wear early can salvage the remaining tread on tires, preventing the need for frequent and costly tire replacement.  

Stop the Insanity: Prevent Irregular Wear BEFORE Purchasing More Tires
Rarely are wear issues caused by tires themselves. Resolving tire problems at the source, with tire wear pattern analysis by a professional technician, is essential to safeguarding the life expectancy of tires. Pros in the know can help you identify and correct issues leading to excessive tire wear, including symptoms that point to issues with… 

●        Alignment
Improper alignment is the leading cause of irregular tire wear. As many as half of vehicles and trailer traversing the roads are not properly aligned. This routine maintenance neglect may seem minor, until you consider you could be giving up one-third to one-half of tire life: 33-50% of the money you spent on those tires, going up in smoke. For those seeing irregular wear, that $200 alignment can save a pretty penny, paying for itself several time over. When was the last time your vehicle and hauler were aligned? A full vehicle alignment is recommended every 80,000-100,000 miles, or at least once per year, to prevent unnecessary and costly tire replacement (not to mention vehicle wear-and-tear, which we’ll discuss later).

●        Inflation
Another common tire wear issue involves inflation pressure, which shows itself in cupping, scalloping, shoulder and center wear. This problem is more common in inside duals and trailer tires, which tend to be overlooked on pressure checks. This is an easy way to keep your tires in service longer, but sadly, the most overlooked. If you see these symptoms, don’t wait for total tire destruction. Check tire pressure first, then schedule an alignment.

●        Other Issues

Haulers frequently traveling less than ideal road surfaces may also experience irregular or accelerated wear. Driving behavior such as a tendency to high-speed cornering and hauling loads with a high center of gravity can also affect tires, flattening or smoothing shoulders similar to wear patterns seen with misalignment and incorrect camber adjustment.

Still Think it’s Your Tires?
You may find that some brands of tires wear faster than others. This can be due to inadequate design/construction (aka: cheap tires), or tire/vehicle compatibility issues. A combination of factors, ranging from construction and tread design, to alignment, vehicle suspension, steering geometry, and work/road environment can all affect tire wear. However before you blame the tire, you must eliminate the truck.

A Symbiotic System
Tire wear can take a toll on other components, too. A symbiotic system, irregular tire wear and alignment issues on tow vehicles and trailers can each create stress and wear in the tires and drive components of the other. Since haulers and trailers aren’t mated for life, this can complicate the process of identifying issues with tire wear-and-tear, as can the inclination to frequently move tires/wheels to other positions on the vehicle.

Stop the insanity and expense of constantly replacing tires. Identify the root cause of irregular and excessive tire wear with the help of the professional automotive technicians at Ainsworth Trailer Repair today.

This post was originally published at http://www.trailerrepairdenver.com/bad-tires-bad-truck-ainsworth-investigates/

How to Avoid Costly Tractor Trailer Repairs

Whether you’re a fleet manager at a corporate transport and logistics company, or a budding small business owner, you’ve got a lot on your mind, making it easy for tractor trailer maintenance to be bypassed. However these vehicles experience constant abuse, ranging from heavy loads to pothole-ridden roads and steep hills. Such constant wear-and-tear, without necessary maintenance attention, can lead to massive and costly repair issues. More than an inconvenient and expensive mess, these problems can leave your rig roadside, unable to deliver products in a timely manner, and effecting your reputation. How can you avoid them?

The Magical Word is Maintenance
To prevent your trailer or fleet from going down from such use and abuse, maintenance is a necessity. After all, what’s more annoying? A scheduled visit to the local shop? Or hours roadside coupled with a rescheduled delivery and potentially lost business? What’s more expensive? That oil change, or a new engine? An alignment? Or all those new tires?

Regularly Scheduled Maintenance Helps You Avoid Trouble
Treating your trailer as part of the family, rather than a nuisance associate, and giving it the timely care and attention it deserves can save you a lot of dough. Regularly scheduled maintenance can help you stay ahead of the competition by keeping your rig on the road, preventing emergency roadside incidents. It will help you foresee the possibility of repair issues before they occur, and before your trailer begins a long trek to become stranded. Vehicle age, mileage and maintenance records can help owner/operators and fleet managers predict the future of a trailer, avoiding potential malfunctions. Such ‘predictive maintenance’ is a powerful, money-saving tool. Are you leveraging it to protect your business’ reputation and your bottom-line?

Avoid expensive and costly repairs. Put yourself on a better path with a company who treats your rig as if it were our own. At Ainsworth we can assist you in the thorough maintenance and inspections necessary to keep your tractor trailer well-running and on-the-move. With 115 of combined technical experience, our BBB A+ rated services have you covered bumper to bumper, road surface to rooftop. Contact us and start down the magical road to regular maintenance today.

This post was originally published at trailerrepairdenver.com/avoid-costly-tractor-trailer-repairs/

Top 10 Box Trailer Repairs

Box trailer repairs are commonly encountered at Ainsworth, owing to the wide range of industries these mighty and multi-functional vehicles serve. Despite the wide variety of sizes, configurations, and applications of box trucks, from the generic to the specific, they nonetheless share many common conditions...  

What are the 10 Most Common Box Trailer Repairs?
Which issues should you be on the lookout for in your vehicle? Because of the extreme use and abuse most box trailers endure, the trailer repair professionals at Ainsworth most frequently repair…

1. Body components, from bumpers and corner caps to box body panels.
2. Leaks from damage, misaligned panels and wear-and-tear.
3. Axles and suspension.
4. Tires, from repairing punctures to replacing tires due to premature wear-and-tear resulting from improper alignment.
5. Brakes, typically from neglected maintenance.
6. Electrical equipment, especially trailer brake lights and wiring.  
7. Upper/lower rail issues.
8. Lift gates and ramps.
9. Issues with doors, roller components, hinges, springs, tracks, and lock alignment.
10. Refrigeration equipment.

Ainsworth Can Handle the Gamut of Box Trailer Issues
No matter the size or style of your truck and trailer, the specialty equipment built into it, or the complexity of the repair, Ainsworth can help you identify and rectify any box trailer repair issues. With 115 years of combined expertise and industry-leading customer service, our skills are second to none, providing the fast, safe repairs and OEM-quality parts you rely on to keep your bread-winning box truck on the road.

Stuck On-Site or En-Route?
No matter what issues leave you roadside, you can count on our fast, reliable emergency roadside services to bail you out of a jam from southern Wyoming to northern New Mexico, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Visit our 20,000 square foot, 13-bay repair facility for a complimentary, competitively priced service quote today, and discover why our Better Business Bureau A+ are sought by drivers across the nation. Contact Ainsworth Trailer Repair today.

This post was originally published at trailerrepairdenver.com/top-10-box-trailer-repairs/

Got a Trailer Roof Leak? Repair it Here

Nix the Band-Aids – Get Your Trailer Roof Leak Repaired Here
Tired of taping, caulking, or constantly re-patching your trailer roof? You need a roof leak repair that will last, and Ainsworth Trailer Repair of Denver has you covered, with fast, affordable roof repairs done right.

No Trailer Roof Lasts Forever
Like other components on your hauler, your trailer roof experiences a great deal of daily wear-and-tear. Wind, rain, road debris and even natural freeze/thaw cycles all take a toll on your trailer. These issues can lead to worn down seals, cracks, and holes that put your trailer and cargo at-risk of water damage, mold, and ultimately structural rot.

Protect Valuable Equipment & Cargo
With a proper repair, guaranteed to hold, rather than slapping on band-aid after band-aid. Temporary solutions may work in a pinch, but leaning on them long-term will ultimately end up decreasing the value of your hauler and cargo as damage from water compounds over time. A quick patch-job doesn’t compare to the OEM-quality repairs Ainsworth can provide, removing damaged panels rivet-by-rivet, and replacing them with the right material to restore your trailer back to factory standards. Our specialty machinery and equipment stretches roof coverings to ensure a tight fit. Paired with the use of proper, OEM-quality fastenings and industrial joint adhesive, leaks, separations and loose materials flapping in the breeze as you sail down the highway will be a thing of the past.

Is the Damage to My Trailer Roof Repairable?
At Ainsworth, we have the skills and equipment necessary to fix even severe roof damage, including…

●        Holes and punctures.

●        Cracks, gouges and tears.

●        Deteriorated joints, seals and welds.

●        Bent or broken roof bows and carlins.

●        Damaged rails.

●        Severe accident damage.

●        Upgrades to translucent panels or added interior lighting with roof repairs to boost interior visibility.

Tackle Tough Roof Repairs with the Trusted Help of Ainsworth
Investing in another roll of heavy-duty duct tape or bucket of sealer? You’ll spend less in the long run on a quality repair. Discover why our reputation for customer service and quality in the industry is second-to-none. Contact Ainsworth Trailer Repair for your free roof repair estimate today.

This post as originally published at http://www.trailerrepairdenver.com/guide-measuring-trailer-springs-replacement/