Aluma 1020 Tandem Utility Trailer for sale at APC Trailers in Tucson,Arizona

Trailer Maintenance in Tucson, AZ

Retighten Lug Nuts at First 10, 25 & 50 Miles

Wheel lugs can shift & settle quickly after being first assembled, & must be checked after the first 10, 25 & 50 miles of driving. Failure to perform this check may result in a wheel coming loose from the trailer, causing a crash leading to death or serious injury. Refer to the Inspection, Service & Maintenance section of this manual.

Adjust Brake Shoes at First 200 Miles

Brake shoes & drums experience a rapid initial wear. The brakes must be adjusted after the first 200 miles of use, & each 3,000 miles thereafter. Some axles are fitted with a mechanism that will automatically adjust the brake shoes.

Read your axle & brake manual to see if your brakes adjust automatically. If you do not have the axle & brake manual, contact your dealer for assistance.

Synchronizing the Brake Systems

Trailer brakes are designed to work in synchronization with the brakes on the tow vehicle. When the tow vehicle & trailer braking systems are synchronized, both braking systems contribute to slowing, & the tongue of the trailer will neither dive nor rise sharply.

Tire Safety Checklist

Make sure your tire valves have valve caps.
Check tire pressure before going on a long trip.
Remove bits of glass & foreign objects wedged in the tread.
Check tire pressure regularly (at least once a month), including the spare.
Do not overload your vehicle. Check the Tire Information Placard or Owner's.
Inspect tires for uneven wear patterns on the tread, cracks, foreign objects, or other signs of wear or trauma.

Trailer Brakes

Adjust Brake Shoes at First 200 Miles

Read your axle & brake manual to see if your brakes adjust automatically. If you do not have the axle & brake manual, contact your dealer for assistance.

Synchronizing the Brake Systems

Properly functioning brake shoes & drums are essential to ensure safety. You must have your dealer inspect these components at least once per year, or each 12,000 miles.

The brake shoes must be adjusted after the first 200 miles of use, & each 3,000 miles thereafter. Most axles are fitted with a brake mechanism that will automatically adjust the brake shoes when the trailer is "hard braked" from a rearward direction. Read your axle & brake manual to see how to adjust your brakes. If you do not have this manual, contact your dealer for assistance.

Manually Adjusting Brake Shoes

Some braking systems are not automatically adjusted by hard stopping. These brakes require manual adjustment. The following steps apply to adjust most manually adjustable brakes. Read your axle & brake manual to see how to adjust your brakes. If you do not have this manual, contact your dealer for assistance.

Jack up the trailer & secure it on adequate capacity jack stands.
Be sure the wheel & brake drums rotate freely.
Remove the adjusting-hole cover from the adjusting slot on the bottom of the brake backing plate.
With a screwdriver or standard adjusting tool, rotate the star wheel of the adjuster assembly to expand the brake shoes. Adjust the brake shoes out until the pressure of the linings against the drum makes the wheel very difficult to turn. Note: Your trailer maybe equipped with drop spindle axles. See axle manual for your axle type. You will need a modified adjusting tool for adjusting the brakes in these axles. With drop spindle axles, a modified adjusting tool with about an 80 degree angle should be used.
Rotate the star wheel in the opposite direction until the wheel turns freely with a slight drag.
Replace the adjusting-hole cover.
Repeat the above procedure on all brakes.
Lower the trailer to the ground.

Brakes, Electric

Two different types of electric brakes may be present on the trailer: an emergency electric breakaway system, which acts only if the trailer comes loose from the hitch & the breakaway pin is pulled. The other brake is an electric braking system that acts whenever the brakes of the tow vehicle are applied.

Breakaway Battery – This battery supplies the power to operate the trailer brakes if the trailer uncouples from the tow vehicle. Be sure to check, maintain & replace the battery according to the battery manufacturer’ instructions.

Breakaway Switch – This switch causes the breakaway battery to operate the electric brakes if the trailer uncouples from the tow vehicle.

The lanyard for the pull pin is connected to the tow vehicle, & the switch is connected to the trailer. To check for proper functioning of the switch, battery & brakes, you must pull the pin from the switch & confirm that the brakes apply to each wheel. You can do this by trying to pull the trailer with the tow vehicle, after pulling the pin. The trailer brakes may not lock, but you will notice that a greater force is needed to pull the trailer.

Tow Vehicle Operated Electric Brakes

The electric brakes that operate in conjunction with the tow vehicle brakes must be "synchronized" so that braking is properly distributed to the tow vehicle brakes & the trailer brakes. For proper operation & synchronization, read & follow the axle/brake & the brake controller manufacturers’ instructions. If you do not have these instructions, contact your dealer for assistance.

Magnets for all Electric Brakes

To make certain an electrically-operated braking system will function properly; you must have your dealer inspect the magnets at least once a year, or each 12,000 miles. See the brake manual for wear & current inspection instructions.

Trailer Connection to Tow Vehicle

Bumper Pull Coupler and Ball

The coupler on the trailer connects to the ball attached to the hitch on the tow vehicle. The coupler, ball & hitch transfer the towing forces between the tow vehicle & the trailer. Before each tow, coat the ball with a thin layer of automotive bearing grease to reduce wear & ensure proper operation; & check the locking device that secures the coupler to the ball for proper operation.

See the coupler manufacturer's manual for other inspection & maintenance activities. If you do not have this manual, contact your dealer for assistance.

If you see or feel evidence of wear, such as flat spots, deformations, pitting or corrosion, on the ball or coupler, immediately have your dealer inspect them to determine the proper action to prevent possible failure of the ball & coupler system. All bent or broken coupler parts must be replaced before towing the trailer.

The coupler handle lever must be able to rotate freely & automatically snap into the latched position. Oil the pivot points, sliding surfaces, & spring ends with SAE 30W motor oil. Keep the ball pocket & latch mechanism clean. Dirt or contamination can prevent proper operation of the latching mechanism. When replacing a ball, the load rating must match or exceed the GVWR of the trailer.

Ring and Pintle

The ring on the trailer connects to the pintle attached to the hitch on the tow vehicle. The ring, pintle & hitch transfer the towing forces between the tow vehicle & the trailer. Before each tow, coat the ring with a thin layer of automotive bearing grease to reduce wear & ensure proper operation; & check the locking device that secures the pintle to the ring for proper operation. See the pintle manufacturer's manual for other inspection & maintenance activities. If you do not have this manual, contact your dealer for assistance.

If you see or feel evidence of wear, such as flat spots, deformations, pitting or corrosion, on the ring or pintle, immediately have your dealer inspect them to determine the proper action to prevent possible failure of the ring & pintle system. All bent or broken coupler parts must be replaced before towing the trailer. The pintle handle lever must be able to rotate freely & automatically snap into the latched position. Oil the pivot points, sliding surfaces, & spring ends with SAE 30W motor oil. Keep the ring pocket & latch mechanism clean. Dirt or contamination can prevent proper operation of the latching mechanism. When replacing a ring, the load rating must match or exceed the GVWR of the trailer.

Gooseneck Ball Receiver

The gooseneck receiver on the trailer connects to a hitch-mounted ball on the towing vehicle. The receiver, ball & hitch transfer the towing forces between the tow vehicle & the trailer. Before each tow, coat the ball with a thin layer of automotive bearing grease to reduce wear & ensure proper operation; & check the locking device that secures the receiver to the ball for proper operation.

See the gooseneck ball receiver manufacturer's manual for other inspection & maintenance activities. If you do not have a manual for the receiver, contact your dealer for assistance. If you see or can feel evidence of wear, such as flat spots, pitting or corrosion, on the ball or receiver, immediately have your dealer inspect them to determine the proper action to prevent possible failure of the ball & receiver system. When replacing a ball, the load rating must match or exceed the GVWR of the trailer.

Landing Leg or Jack

If a grease fitting is present, you must use a grease gun to lubricate the jack mechanism. Grease the gears in the top of hand-cranked jacks once a year, by removing the top of the jack & pumping or hand packing grease into the gears.

Lights and Signals

Before each tow, check the trailer taillights, stoplights, turn signals & any clearance lights for proper operation.

Wheel Rims

If the trailer has been struck, or impacted, on or near the wheels, or if the trailer has struck a curb, inspect the rims for damage (i.e. being out of round); & replace any damaged wheel. Inspect the wheels for damage every year, even if no obvious impact has occurred.

Tires

Trailer tires may be worn out even though they still have plenty of tread left. This is because trailer tires have to carry a lot of weight all of the time, even when not in use. It is actually better for the tire to be rolling down the road than to be idle. During use, the tire releases lubricants that are beneficial to tire life. Using the trailer often also helps prevent flat spots from developing. The main cause for tire failure is improper inflation.

Before each tow, check the tire pressure to make sure it is at the level indicated on the tire sidewall or VIN label. Tire pressure must be checked while the tire is cold. Do not check tire pressure immediately after towing the trailer. Allow at least three hours for the tires to cool, if the trailer has been towed for as much as one mile. Tires can lose air over a period of time. In fact, tires can lose 1-3 psi per month. This is because molecules of air, under pressure, weave their way from the inside of the tire, through the rubber to the outside. A drop in tire pressure could cause excessive heat build up. If the tire is under-inflated, even for a short period of time, the tire could suffer internal damage. High towing speed in hot conditions degrades the tire significantly. As heat builds up during driving, the tire's internal structure starts to breakdown, compromising the strength of the tire. It is recommended to drive at moderate speeds.

Replace the tire before towing the trailer if the tire treads have less than 2/32 inch depth or the telltale bands are visible. A bubble, cut or bulge in a side wall can result in a tire blowout. Inspect both side walls of each tire for any bubble, cut or bulge; & replace a damaged tire before towing the trailer. Statistics indicate the average life of a tire is five years under normal use & maintenance conditions. After three years, replacing the trailer tires with new ones should be considered, even if the tires have adequate tread depth. After five years, trailer tires are considered worn out & should be replaced, even if they have had minimal or no use. If you are storing your trailer for an extended period, make sure the tires are inflated to the maximum rated pressure indicated on the sidewall or VIN label & that you store them in a cool, dry place such as a garage. Use tire covers to protect the tires from the harsh effects of the sun.

Wheel Bearings

A loose, worn or damaged wheel bearing is the most common cause of brakes that grab.
To check your bearings, jack up trailer & check wheels for side-to-side looseness. If the wheels are loose, or spin with a wobble, the bearings must be serviced or replaced.
Refer to the axle manufacturer's information for maintenance on the axle.
If your axle(s) are equipped with a grease zerk on the ends of the axle(s), the bearings must be greased every 6 months or 6,000 miles to ensure reliable & safe operation of your trailer.
Remove the rubber plug from the axle end.
Place grease gun on zerk (1).
Pump grease until new grease begins to appear. Use different color grease each time so you will know when the new grease begins to appear.
Install rubber plug & cap. Repeat for remaining wheel bearings.
If your trailer axle(s) are not equipped with grease zerks, refer to the axle manufacturer’s manual for service &maintenance information.