Annual Trailer Maintenance

[trailpal]

I got a brand new trailer in July the year before last. I didn’t use it much so I didn’t do maintenance last spring. And last year was just a couple of local trips with one trip that was 2 hrs each way. But I do want to get it looked after this spring as I do plan to do more hauling.

First of all, what is typically done? This is a 2-horse straight load with no dressing room, no frills.

Secondly, what sort of price should I expect? I’m in central Maryland.

Can I do most or all of it myself and only take it somewhere if something needs fixing? I’m reasonably handy - I took care of our 35 hp New Holland tractor’s regular maintenance.

Thanks!

[ryansgirl]

In my state (NH) trailers are required to be inspected just like your vehicle is. I take mine in yearly to a place that only deals with trailers (all kinds) and let them check everything thoroughly. They let me know if any actual work needs to be done on it. So price depends on any work that may be required (plus the annual inspection fee). A lot of people don’t realize horse trailers are legally required to be inspected so it’s always good to check your states requirement. Even if mine wasn’t required to be inspected I’d take it in every spring to be thoroughly checked. My mare hasn’t been in my trailer in 2.5 yrs but it still gets checked and randomly driven around to keep things moving (always bad to park it and never touch it!). I get an inspection sticker attached to the registration to keep in my glove box (they cut a corner off of the sticker so it can’t be used on another vehicle).

[trailpal]

In Maryland, trailers are required to have an inspection only before they are to be sold or transferred. However, mechanics can do that, so maybe it would be a similar inspection. Of course I would expect to pay for repairs (!) but that is not part of the inspection cost.

So, I guess back to my questions: In Maryland, what does a yearly maintenance check typically cost and what is done?

The place that sold me the trailer wants to charge $300 and that seems steep.

[Lilykoi]

I take my trailer to the guy that put the hitch in my truck. He works on all kinds of trailers. Don’t think because you don’t use it much, it won’t need work. I used to haul weekly, and fairly long distances. Now that it sits more than moves I have to worry about brakes rusting tire rot among other things. I go in the spring and have everything checked, including electrical. In Illinois we have to have a safety sticker. I go twice a year. It’s an inconvenience but it’s a big ticket if you don’t have it.
$300 doesn’t seem out of line. They should go over it from top to bottom. They’ll pull wheels off to check breaks and bearings. Find out ahead what they will actually do for you.

[Guilherme]

On an annual basis we give the whole rig a sound visual inspection at home then take it to the shop and have them repack the wheel bearings and look for things we didn’t see. We also take this opportunity to air up the tires to their proper inflation pressure. Check them after a time (maybe a day) and see if you have an issue there.

If your trailer came with a manual then look at it and see what it says. If not, give it a good look, get the bearings done, and you should be good to go!

G.

[arlosmine]

Mine is at the shop now. My list was:
Check/repack bearings
Check/replace brake shoes
Check floor
Check frame
Replace a little running light that I broke
Check all wiring
Re caulk seam on roof
Check all tires including spare

If they have to do the bearings, I will expect to pay about $400

[Jim_in_PA]

PA has annual inspection requirements, so mine goes to Cottner every fall (when the inspection is due) and all the obvious things are checked, including proper electrical functions for brakes, lights and the break-away brake system, bearings, brakes, tires/wheels and overall structural condition. They also top off the grease in the bearings, etc., after checking them. The cost for the inspection itself runs around $75 plus any required (or requested) repairs. The first time, I needed one wheel bearing and a new battery for the breakaway system…apparently the seller’s inspection folks just slapped a sticker on it for $35 bucks as I required a current inspection before I would hand over the money and haul it home.

[normandy_shores]

Heck, even a brand new trailer should be services. You should see the lack of packed bearings and brake issues on BRAND NEW trailers… Scary stuff!

My trailer guy does an inspection of everything, greases everything, points out spots I can help maintain myself with a bit of oil throughout the year, and I check tire pressure regularly…

[AKB]

I think I would pay $200 if nothing needs to be fixed. I don’t think there has ever been a time that nothing needed to be fixed!

[Catoctin]

We use The Hitch Man in Taneytown, MD. Last Spring ran ~$375 but we had a fair amount of work done. I don’t remember everything they did but they checked and repaired some wiring, replaced some running lights, repacked bearings and replaced seals, and replaced the breakaway battery.

A friend takes her Jamco to HR Collins in Mt.Airy, MD every year for maintenance.

[OTTBs]

[QUOTE=Lilykoi;8078508]
In Illinois we have to have a safety sticker. I go twice a year. It’s an inconvenience but it’s a big ticket if you don’t have it.
$300 doesn’t seem out of line.[/QUOTE]I’d never heard of this and did a search. Depends what you’re towing:

 Second division vehicles not required to pass safety inspections include:

• Vehicles with a gross weight of 8,000 lbs. or less, provided any trailer being towed is 8,000 lbs. or less. {We read this to mean a Truck B plate towing a TC trailer plate.} …
• Trailers with a gross weight of 5,000 lbs. or less. {This means TA & TB trailer plates.}

–and–
When do I need a safety lane inspection?
It is based on your plate type and each plate has a specific weight rating and range. An inspection is required on any truck or trailer “D” plate and heavier. A TC trailer plate may be required depending on what you are using to tow with. Truck B, TB trailer, and TA trailer plates are not required to be inspected.

[TrotTrotPumpkn]

$300 would be high for me.

If I drove about 100 miles total last year do I still need to do the bearings/brakes again? They were done the previous year.

[stargzng386]

In VA you are required to get an inspection done yearly, you have to have the sticker on the trailer. It costs $16 at any auto shop and they do usually lift it up and check underneath. I did have a new break box put in an older trailer I bought as well as a few other small things installed and I paid around $200.

[Jim_in_PA]

There are the legal requirements for the jurisdiction where one lives relative to inspections (or none in some cases apparently)…and there are the real-world, practical needs to insure safety. Even if an annual inspection isn’t required, it’s a “best practice” to have the brakes, bearings, tires/wheels and all electrical components checked annually. And that’s even if the trailer mostly sits around. That can sometimes make it even more likely that things may degrade…sitting around isn’t the best for any vehicle or trailer.

[Foxtrot_s]

I take mine into Trailer Guy every year, and especially before any long trips.
I never seem to get away with less than $400.00 for fiddly wiring thingies, etc.but I like to have peace of mind. In fact I feel that way about all our vehicles and try to keep them as well maintained as I can…after all, our most valuable possessions travel in them.

[TrotTrotPumpkn]

No vehicle or trailer inspections are required here…you are correct. I don’t think any neighboring states require them either…

I paid for an inspection when I bought the trailer a few years ago and somehow they completely missed all the dry rot on the tires (makes me think they didn’t check it at all). Then (different shop) redid wiring, new tires, had the frame checked, took care of some surface rust, etc. bearings replaced and repacked about a year ago. That’s why I was asking. I’m not oblivious to the need for maintenance…but didn’t know how the bearings worked…age vs. miles.

[WSS2012]

in addition to what was listed above.

-check or better yet replace your cotter pins that hold the hitch to the truck and the hitch to the ball. They wear out and can fall out or break off, causing the pins they hold together to fall out and the trailer to separate from the vehicle.
-replace your safety chains, especially the cable type. Just cause they look good doesn’t mean they wont disintegrate if something lets loose.

[trailpal]

Thanks, I think I have a good feel for what to look for and what to expect now!