Job Security: When Was Your Last Tractor Trailer Service?

You have the trucking career of your dreams. You’re staying busy, deadlines are tight, and money is good. Rolling along on the path to a financially promising future, it’s easy to lose sight of small details and relegate rig maintenance to the rearview, saving tractor trailer service for when things ‘slow down.’ But if your truck’s not working its best – neither are you.

Easy Ways to Keep Your Tractor Trailer in Tip-Top Shape
In today’s limited labor pool, things may not slow down. And that’s good for you, but you still have to take care of your rig. Luckily there are a few ways you can keep your truck operating at peak efficiency, preventing downtime and keeping your rig on the road…

• Eyeball Oil Levels
  It only takes a couple of minutes to check your truck’s oil level. But it’ll take many more ‘minutes’ to work off the cost of a new motor. Checking your oil is essential, especially before a long haul. If your rig is brand new or has recently undergone major motor work this task is especially crucial, as inadequate oil levels can take a toll on your truck very quickly.
• Keep Things Cool
  While you’re under the hood, it’ll take you only another minute or so to check your radiator fluid. Eyeball more than the overflow bottle – be sure to check the radiator itself. If you spot any small leaks, have them rapidly addressed. Anyone who’s ‘been there’ knows overheating happens fast, potentially leaving you stranded roadside, and resulting in significant engine damage when overlooked.
• Track Tire Pressure
  Tire pressure fluctuates with changes in the weather and driving speed, making it essential to verify before long trips, and at least weekly. Minimal variations can make a huge difference. Underinflated, tires will negatively impact fuel economy and make steering more difficult. Overinflated, they are prone to pothole damage and punctures. (Tip: There is no ‘catch-all’ tire pressure. Check brand specifications on your tires.)
• Don’t Get Bit (or Stung)
  After your truck has been sitting for a few days, take a few seconds to check the fuel vent before taking off. Insects, such as wasps, often build nests in this area. This can create blockages, making your truck look like it’s out of fuel, and when you stop… deliver a nasty surprise.
• Watch Out for Wonky Parking
  Parking your dual fuel tank vehicle sideways on a hill can make the tanks uneven, causing your fuel uptake system to take in air instead of fuel. If you must park on a hill, do your best to situate your vehicle’s  weight is distributed from front-to-back, not side-to-side.
• Feel the Vibration
  Have your brakes checked often. You’re hauling heavy loads, and that requires significant (and reliable) stopping power. If you feel a vibration or hear squealing when you engage the brakes, it’s time to give your brakes some attention.

Develop good maintenance habits. Preventive maintenance is far less costly to your rig and your reputation than reactive maintenance. Protect your tractor trailer investment with the help of Ainsworth Trailer Repair today.

This post was originally published at http://www.trailerrepairdenver.com/job-security-last-tractor-trailer-service/

Trailer Bearing Service: Are You Playing it Fast & Loose?

Neglecting trailer bearing service? Out-of-sight and out-of-mind, it’s easy to overlook bearings. But you don’t want to be ‘that guy’- the one stuck on the side of the road with a disabled trailer. To prevent yourself from becoming dangerously stranded on the side of the interstate, know the signs pointing to the need for bearing service…

What’s that Noise?
If clicking, squeaks, grinding, or other noises emit from your trailer wheels, you may have a bad bearing or insufficient lubrication. How can you tell given roadway noise levels? Have a friend listen from the driver’s side and/or position someone curbside, towing your trailer past at about 25 mph to confirm.

Feel the Heat
After towing your trailer for a short distance, about 5-10 miles at highway speeds, park it, placing a hand over each of the wheel hubs. If the wheel hubs of your trailer are too warm to keep your hand in place, you may have a bad bearing, insufficient play, or be in need of additional lubrication.  

On the Loose
If you feel excess play in the wheel (more than 1/8-inch), or wheels feel loose, spin, or wobble, this points to the need for bearing service or replacement.

Worn Out
If you remove the two bearings from the end of each hub and see signs of abnormal wear, such as individual bearings that are loose in their sockets or obvious bearing damage, now is the time to re-grease or replace bearings. (Tip: While you’re in there, check the hub as well.)

Limited Time
Servicing bearings every 6 months or 6,000 miles is best to ensure safe, reliable trailer operation. If servicing bearings yourself, it is essential to remember NOT to mix different types of grease thickeners. Doing so can cause incompatible greases to acidify, harden, or separate, creating hazardous conditions that could lead to an accident.

Bearings can fail quickly. Don’t be ‘that guy.’ Contact Ainsworth Trailer Repair and schedule routine bearing maintenance for your trailer today.

This post was originally published at http://www.trailerrepairdenver.com/trailer-bearing-service-playing-fast-loose/

5 Benefits of Electric Trailer Surge Brakes

For the weekend warrior and those new to hauling, the idea of upgrading your trailer braking system may never have occurred to you. Like the features that came on your car ‘from the factory’ you may have assumed your trailer has what it needs. However there are many advantages to upgrading your trailer brake system, and changing it out is a relatively simple process.

Why Hydraulic Surge Brakes May Not Be Enough
If you have hydraulic surge brakes, you’ll have no electrical/hydraulic connections to your car. A self-contained, passive system, hydraulic surge brakes kick-in based on the natural momentum of your vehicle. When your car slows down and your trailer pushes into your vehicle, the brakes engage – albeit after a split second delay that increases your stopping distance. If your trailer is swaying, separately engaging the braking system is not possible.

There are Many Benefits of Upgrading to an Electric Trailer Brake System

1. Added braking control.
   As is obvious from the above description of hydraulic trailer brakes, electric trailer brake systems improve brake reaction time and decrease the distance necessary to bring your heavy hauler to a complete stop. Brake pressure is applied to the trailer first, controlled by the pedal pressure in your car, providing a braking action that is safer for quick stops and driving downhill.
2. Simple operation.
   Electric systems are also, surprisingly for many, more simple and user-friendly than surge brake systems. Engaged with the help of electromagnets, when properly adjusted, a quick correction to an in-cabin electric brake controller can apply the small amount of force necessary to stop your trailer from swaying. A handy tool for driving in high winds, passing large tractor-trailers, and descending hills, indeed.
3. Less maintenance.
   The maintenance needs of electric brakes are also far simpler than those of hydraulic brakes, whose components and assemblies must be constantly guarded against corrosion and closely inspected for wear.   
4. Reduced parts cost.
   Costs for electric trailer brake assembly replacement parts are, on average, 30% less than those for hydraulic systems.
5. Easy upgrade.
   Trucks, SUVs, RVs and other vehicles constructed since the mid 90’s are already setup to work with an electronic trailer brake controller, with a factory-ready ‘quick-plug’ under the dash for ease of connection. In fact, pickup trucks constructed within the last 5-years typically have a brake controller built into the dash, requiring no installation whatsoever. 

Is your braking system enough to keep your cargo and fellow roadside passengers safe? Ainsworth Trailer Repair professionals have the knowledge and experience to keep your rig safely on the road. Contact us to learn more about the ease and low-cost of upgrading your trailer brake system today.
 

This post was originally published at http://www.trailerrepairdenver.com/5-benefits-upgrading-hydraulic-electric-trailer-surge-brakes/

Busted Leaf Springs on a Trailer are a Real Drag – Are Yours At-Risk?

You know to check your lights and mirrors for safety, and hitches for proper positioning, but out of sight components on your trailer like leaf springs often go overlooked… Until you find yourself bouncing and swaying down the highway, and you’re left scratching your head trying to figure out why.

Burdensome Load, or Blown-Out Suspension?
Leaf spring technology has been around since the era of Da Vinci’s self-propelled car. So how is it in this modern era we know so little of this essential component? When there’s too much cargo – or integral suspension components like leaf springs are worn – your tow vehicle can rock and sway. A properly functioning suspension keeps your vehicle’s wheels in contact with the pavement as much as possible, providing a stable, grounded ride for your hauler and cargo, even on tough terrain. 

The Right Leaf Springs & Proper Installation Ensure Safety
It goes without saying, ‘air time’ and bumping and banging from worn out suspension are not the friends of your cargo, or vehicle longevity. To protect both, you need an adequate suspension, making it essential to regularly check your leaf springs and accessories for wear: Chips, cracks, worn shackle links, loose U-bolts, and flattening springs are key indicators it’s past time for some suspension TLC. 

What Type of Leaf Springs are You Rocking?
Leaf springs look like a metal archery bow, sans the string, and come in different varieties. At Ainsworth, we stock a wide array of leaf springs styles for fast, professional repair, including…

●        Single or Mono-Leaf Springs
Thick in the middle and tapering towards the end, single leaf springs don’t typically offer the suspension strength necessary for tow vehicles.

●        Multi-Leaf Springs
Several leaf springs, stacked atop each other to form a semi-elliptical shape, offer better support for heavier loads.

●        Double-Eye Leaf Springs
Feature two holes, used to bolt the springs to the bottom of the trailer frame.

●        Open-Eye Leaf Springs
Have only one open hole, or ‘eye,’ with the other end being a hook or flat end.

Gravity taking its toll on your ride and your safety? Let the pros at Ainsworth Trailer Repair give you a lift. Contact us for a trustworthy and free repair estimate today.

This post was originally published at http://www.trailerrepairdenver.com/busted-leaf-springs-trailer-real-drag-risk/

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/