Active trailer inspection and preventive maintenance (PM’s) programs are an important part of fleet management that ensures the safety, reliability, and longevity of trailers. Regular PMs and inspection help to prevent:
- Costly breakdowns such as brake failures, wheel seal failure, and marker light outages
- Unnecessary downtime
- Compliance issues and DOT violations which can negatively impact your CSA Score
By implementing consistent inspection and PM programs, fleet managers can optimize their operations and achieve significant cost savings in the long run.
What Should My Trailer Inspection and PM Program Include?
There are several levels of inspection and PM programs that can be implemented. Effective trailer inspection programs should include:
- Daily inspections: Drivers should perform pre-trip and post-trip inspections, checking lights, tires, brakes, coupling devices, and safety equipment.
- Quarterly inspections (T1 or TA): Every 3 months, conduct a thorough inspection including lights, tires, brakes, coupling devices, and any specialized equipment like refrigeration units or sliding axles. Make any repairs needed.
- Semi-annual inspections (T2 or TB): Every 6 months, perform a more in-depth inspection and maintenance, including all T1 items plus additional tasks like checking the grease condition in hubcaps and retorquing lugs.
- Annual inspections (T3 or TC): Once a year, conduct a comprehensive inspection and maintenance, including all T1 and T2 items, plus more extensive work such as alignment checks.
Many moving companies, heavy hauling companies, materials companies and others require rigorous 90, 120 or 180- inspections on their entire fleet. This saves time and money in the long run. Failing to perform regular inspections of your fleet other than during annual DOT inspections will result in fines and expensive repairs which could be avoided.
Developing an Effective Trailer Inspection Sheet
Each fleet needs to ensure its trailer inspection program will focus on the likely problem components and risks. There are many trailer inspection sheets available online to help with developing a fleet specific inspection sheet. Generally, an inspection sheet will include:
- Tire maintenance: Check tire pressure, tread depth, and overall condition. Also look at the wheel and note any cracks, loose nuts or damage.
- Brake system: Inspect the brake system. This involves measuring pad depth as well as measuring and assessing the condition and depth of drums. Be sure to inspect brake away batteries, hub caps, oil levels, seal condition and torque arms.
- Lighting and electrical systems: Check all lights, wiring, and connections. Also check the condition of DOT Tape.
- Suspension: Inspect springs, spring hangers, shock absorbers, U-bolts, and air suspension components.
- Coupling devices: Examine fifth wheels, kingpins, and other connecting hardware.
- Fleet specific items: There are several parts found on larger trailers that will need inspecting including glad hand seals, charging systems, hangers and slides, cross members, mud flaps, deck boards, hydraulic cylinders and other equipment. There could be specialized equipment or features so each fleet manager needs to modify their inspection procedures to include fleet specific items and issues.
Regardless of the inspection program used, be sure to address any repairs that are needed immediately.
Benefits of Regular Trailer PM Programs
The best run fleets and companies have regular PM programs geared toward eliminating the most common issues and risks.
The benefits of regular trailer PM programs include:
- Enhance safety and reliability: Performing trailer PMs annually will improve the safety and reliability of your trailer fleet.
- Identify problems early: Regular maintenance identifies potential issues before they become major problems.
- Extended trailer lifespan: Consistent preventative maintenance including lubrication, major component replacements and quickly repairing minor problems will result in long trailer life and long-term cost savings.
- Reduced downtime and improved productivity: Avoiding unexpected breakdowns minimizes disruptions in operations and loss of revenue. Regular PMs help reduce these unexpected issues.
- Cost Savings: Implementing a PM program requires an initial investment, but it will lead to substantial cost savings in the long run.
- Regulatory Compliance: Sticking to a regular PM schedule helps make certain that trailers meet regulatory and safety standards. This compliance is important for avoiding fines, penalties, and legal issues of non-compliant equipment.
Key Issues Included in Trailer PMs
Trailer PM’s need to have issues addressed at intervals that make sense. While some items can be done annually, other items need to be done a minimum of once a month. There items include:
- Adjusting tire pressures (minimum monthly)
- Adjusting brakes (minimum monthly or as needed)
- Ensuring all lug nuts are tight (minimum semiannually)
- Greasing fifth wheel (minimum annually or as needed)
- Greasing all grease zerks (minimum annually)
- Inspect by removing wheels, wheel seals (minimum annually)
- Grease door or gates
- Replace any questionable or deteriorated deck boards
- Full inspections of the unit
The Value of Qualified Inspection and Maintenance Services
Partnering with a qualified certified trailer mechanic can ensure problems are avoided. At Mobile Wrench, we have certified diesel mechanics that come to your location to perform company proprietary inspections, annual DOT inspection and PM’s on fleets of trailers. By coming to your location at a specific date and time we are convenient, cost effective and hassle free.
Mobile trailer inspections and mobile trailer repair companies like Mobile Wrench can reduce fleet management headaches. Mobile Wrench offers fleet management services, including scheduling PMs, DOT inspections, and tracking maintenance history. This comprehensive approach allows fleet managers to make informed decisions about their maintenance strategies and optimize their operations.
Outsourcing PM services to mobile trailer inspection and repair companies like Mobile Wrench can be more cost-effective than maintaining an in-house maintenance team. It eliminates the need for investing in specialized equipment and training, while also reducing overhead costs associated with maintaining a dedicated maintenance facility.
If you have questions or need a certified mobile diesel mechanic to perform your oil changes or to repair your semi-trucks, trailers, and fleet vehicles, Mobile Wrench will help get you back on the road.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment. We provide mobile diesel mechanic services throughout the Denver metro area, Northern Colorado and Colorado Springs.