These semi-trailers have many similar maintenance issues, despite their differences in style and use. Here are some of these common problems semi-trailers experience while being transported across the country. COMMON SMALL-TRAILER ISSUES Faulty Brake Lines & Pads. A bad or missing gladhand connector can cause problems when hooking up your caravan. This will cause air to escape from the seal. It prevents air moving down the line and reaching each wheel piston.
If the gladhand connector is tight, the brakes can engage but not at the same force on each tire. This could be because the reserve tank is not retaining enough air pressure. The piston pushing the brake pad against a drum cannot be moved if it isn't under enough pressure. Condensation also can build up in your reserve tank or your brake line. If you haul during the winter, you could end up with ice within your brake line. This ice blocks the air flow to the brake pad and causes serious problems. Low winter temperatures may also cause the drum to freeze. Checking your semi-trailer tires. Tire Failures. Tire failures account to one-half of all truck crashes. If trailer tire maintenance is not done properly, it can lead to a tire blowout. Trailers with misaligned axles or under-inflated tires could lead to a tire blowout. In summer, when temperatures are warm enough to cause tire air to expand and hot asphalt creates friction, the risk increases. In winter, poor traction can be a problem especially if the treads of the tires are not maintained. Also, tire pressures could drop beyond what is necessary. Poor aerodynamics may lead to increased drag. This puts greater stress on the tractor's engine, the brake lines and the tires. This can cause the engine to fail or put more stress on other components. An assessment of a fleet's aerodynamics may lead to increased profits. Fuel is one the biggest expenses trucking companies face. Both the tractor trailer and tractor can have electrical issues. Neglecting preventative maintenance can lead electrical shorts. These can cause anything from safety lights to refrigeration compressor failures. Although they are not as life-threatening as other problems, they are enough to make your trailer unusable. You should pay extra attention during the summer as electrical issues are more likely to occur due to increased heat and stress on the wiring. Additionally, due to the importance of electrical connections and lights these issues can result in additional downtime as well as a rise in your CSA score.