If you haven’t taken many trips with your horses this winter, then your trailer has probably been sitting idle for a while.  Just like a ship in the harbor, your trailer will rust out faster if it isn’t used.  Before you head out for your spring activities, you should perform a  pre-hauling check-up on your rig. 

To keep your trailer healthy, and make sure you don’t break down on the side of the road have these things checked:

Ø      Check around the hitch area and make sure there aren’t any cracks around the welds or the bolts (this is especially important on older trailers).

Ø      Check all light lenses to make sure they aren’t cracked and don’t have water in them.

Ø      Pull the mats out and check the floor boards.  Most horse trailers have wooden floor boards and these need to be replaced periodically.

Ø      Check around the seams to make sure that any areas that may be rusted haven’t rusted through.  Take time to clean up the rusted areas and apply some rust-resistant paint (Hammerite paint is a good one to use and can be found at most hardware stores).  You can also cover the rusted areas with some of the new rubberized bed liner material (be sure to follow directions).

Ø      Grease and oil all of the hinges, inside and out, and don’t forget to use some on any dividers that might squeak.

Ø      Check for loose wiring and hanging wires (especially under the trailer).  I’ve seen a number of trailers with lighting wires hanging dangerously low.

Ø      Check your lighting connections, especially your plug.  After sitting all winter, the plugs and pins usually have a bit of corrosion on them.  There’s a product available that’s an electrical grease that can be used on these to help keep corrosion down.  Ask your local trailer dealer or camper/RV supply store for their recommendation.

Ø      Check your lights to make sure they’re all working, including running lights, brake and turn signal lights.

Ø      Don’t forget your back-up lights and license plate light.

Ø      Check the axle for corrosion, too.

Ø      Re-pack your wheel bearings, or grease them if they’re fitted with “zerks”.  Most don’t have “zerks” and require a repacking at least every other year (once a year is better if you use your trailer frequently.  Having your wheel bearings freeze up while driving won’t be pleasant for you or your horses.

Ø      Tire pressure.  Double check this and make sure that you have equal pressure in all tires.

Ø      Tire tread.  I’ve seen so many trailers with nearly bald tires that I wonder if people remember that their horses lives and their lives depend on quality tires. Don’t be cheap and try to get by one more season on those ten year old cracked tires -- replace them.

Ø      Spare tire.  When was the last time that the spare tire was on the ground?  Perhaps you should test it on the trailer to make sure it fits, especially if you bought a used trailer and have never tried it before -- you might be surprised when you discover you have the wrong wheel and tire combination to match the other tires on your trailer.  Yes, it has happened.

Ø      Lug wrench.  Make sure that the lug wrench you have for your vehicle fits the lug nuts on your trailer.  If not, get a wrench to fit.  You can’t change the tire, nor can anyone help you, if you don’t have the proper wrench.

Ø      Spare bulbs for the lights.  There’s nothing worse than having a bulb or two go out when you still have miles to go in the dark.

Ø      Electric brakes.  Double check that they’re adjusted properly and working correctly.  Trailer brakes can rust easily sitting idle all winter long, and it’s a good idea to haul your trailer (without horses) for the first time and use the brakes repeatedly to knock off any rust and to make sure that nothing has seized up.

Ø      Safety chains.  Are they rusted out?  If so, replace them.  If you’re unsure, replace them.  Make sure they’re adjusted properly so that they can actually do their job, which is not only to keep the trailer attached to the vehicle should it come unhitched for some reason, but most importantly to keep the tongue of the trailer from hitting the road and causing the trailer hitch to catch on the pavement and flip the trailer (one of the reasons they should always be crisscrossed before hooking them in their place on your hauling vehicle).

Ø      Wheel blocks.  Make sure you have a good set in case the area you have to park in has a slope to it.  Not only do they stop the trailer from rolling, but they can help keep the weight of the trailer from pushing against your vehicles transmission and parking brake.

 By the time you’ve done all of this, you’ll probably have found a few other items that require some maintenance and attention.  Take care of those, too.

Safe rides.