Adventure is almost here!
Owning a holiday trailer is a great way to explore the outdoors and make lasting memories with your loved ones. However, to keep your trailer in top condition and ensure years of enjoyment, regular maintenance is essential. In this extensive blog post, we’ll cover essential maintenance tasks such as bearings and grease, tires, lights, and more.
Avoid having to call a Tow Truck this summer by following these tips. But if something still goes wrong, Tuber Towing is here for you. Call 587-598-8237 anytime, day or night, we’re fully equipped to help with any trailer issues you may have.
Follow these tips to keep your holiday trailer in tip-top shape, and rest assured that you’ll be ready for your next adventure. Keep in mind some of these items require some mechanical knowledge and can be unsafe if you don’t know what you are doing. If you aren’t comfortable with performing any of these below see your local mechanic or RV repair shop.
5 Holiday Trailer Maintenance Tips
1. Bearings and Grease
One of the most important parts of maintaining your holiday trailer is keeping the wheel bearings well lubricated. This will help prevent friction and wear, which can lead to costly repairs and even accidents.
Inspecting the Bearings
To inspect the bearings, follow these steps:
- Jack up the trailer: Safely elevate one side of the trailer using a jack, ensuring the wheel is off the ground.
- Remove the wheel: Unscrew the lug nuts and take off the wheel, exposing the hub.
- Remove the hub: Take off the dust cap, cotter pin, and castle nut to access the bearings.
- Inspect the bearings: Check for signs of wear, corrosion, or damage. If they appear worn or damaged, replace them immediately.
Greasing the Bearings
To grease the bearings, follow these steps:
- Clean the bearings: Use a clean cloth or paper towel to remove old grease and debris.
- Apply new grease: Using a high-quality and water resistant wheel bearing grease, pack the bearings generously. Ensure the grease covers all surfaces of the bearing.
- Reassemble the hub: Replace the bearings, castle nut, cotter pin, and dust cap. Ensure to use manufacturer-recommended torque.
- Repeat for all wheels: Perform the same inspection and greasing process for each wheel on your holiday trailer.
2. Tires: Stay Safe and Get More Mileage
Proper tire maintenance is essential for the safety and longevity of your holiday trailer. Regularly inspect your tires for signs of wear, damage, or low pressure.
Inspecting the Tires
- Check the tire pressure: Use a tire pressure gauge to make sure your tires are inflated to the recommended PSI.
- Inspect for wear: Look for uneven wear patterns, bulges, or cracks in the tire’s sidewall or tread. Replace any damaged tires immediately.
- Check the tire age: Tires have a limited lifespan, typically around five to seven years. Look for the DOT code on the sidewall, which indicates the week and year the tire was manufactured. Replace any tires that are past their recommended lifespan.
3. Lights
Ensuring your holiday trailer’s lights are functioning correctly is crucial for safety on the road.
Inspecting and Replacing Lights
- Test all lights: With the help of a friend or family member, test your trailer’s brake lights, turn signals, and running lights.
- Replace any faulty bulbs: If any lights are not functioning, replace the bulbs with the appropriate type.
- Inspect wiring: Check for any damaged or frayed wiring, and repair or replace as needed.
4. Intervals
Following the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance plan is best, however not all manufacturers make theirs readily available.
Below is a chart of standard maintenance intervals for travel trailers. Keep in mind these intervals are general guidelines. They may vary based on your trailer’s make and model. Always consult your trailer’s owner’s manual for the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule.
| Maintenance Task | Interval |
|---|---|
| Bearings and Grease Inspection | Every 16,000 km or annually, whichever comes first |
| Tire Pressure Check | Monthly |
| Tire Rotation | Every 8,000 km or as recommended by the manufacturer |
| Brake System Inspection | Every 8,000 km or annually, whichever comes first |
| Hitch and Coupler Inspection | Every trip or quarterly, whichever comes first |
| Suspension System Inspection | Every 8,000 km or annually, whichever comes first |
| Frame and Body Inspection | Annually |
| Seal and Weatherproof Inspection | Every six months or as needed |
| Exterior Cleaning and Protection | Every three months or as needed |
| Interior Cleaning and Sanitizing | As needed |
| Propane System Inspection | Annually |
| Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors | Test monthly, replace batteries annually |
| Fire Extinguisher Inspection | Annually |
It is important to check and maintain your travel trailer often. This helps keep it safe, working well, and ready for your next trip. The chart above can help you start your maintenance routine. Always check your owner’s manual for the maker’s specific advice.
5. Set up at Site
Last but definitely not least, use levelling blocks to help protect your tires from the elements while maintaining the levelness of your trailer. Use levelling blocks to ensure your trailer is on level ground. This not only makes your stay more comfortable, but it also helps your trailer plumbing work well. It also helps prevent backups.
By following these guidelines and doing regular maintenance on your holiday trailer, you’ll keep it in great shape for years. Happy travels!
Our Trusted Partners
Tuber Towing is proud to work alongside trusted partners in the region. For light and heavy duty towing in the greater Spruce Grove and Stony Plain area, Sprony is a solid local option, and AMT Truck supplies towing equipment and gear across the region. On the business side, Noble Digital handles our digital marketing, and Miobi offers tools for efficient business management.