March 13, 2018

Getting the Trailer Out of Hibernation

On Saturday I hitched up my trailer for the first time in a long time and took it in for its first annual inspection.  We're fortunate at the new barn to have a trailer sales and service place a REALLY easy 20 minute haul away.  And they had it done in one day!  How's that for service?  (Shoutout to Main Trailer Sales for being excellent so far!)

Poor truck got a bath a few hours after this was taken - I've just about had it with road salt season.

I probably looked a little silly taking my less-than-one-year-old trailer in for an inspection, but I'm planning on being diligent about preventative maintenance and having expert eyes put it up on a lift and look at it annually.  This thing better LAST!

My husband doesn't like trucks, so I tease him all the time by talking about "TRUCKS DOING TRUCK THINGS!"  He DGAF, lol.
I also want to do the following things before our first haul (...probably...or maybe after...):
  • Add rubber trim to the fenders (It didn't come with it and that's a safety issue)
  • Wash
  • Wax
  • Trim cleaner/protector
  • Grind off and put POR-15 on some tiny rust spots on the hitch and axles
Trailers are a lot of work but I'm not complaining!  Anyone else doing maintenance right now?

14 comments:

  1. I should probably get my trailer inspected; I was just digging through your posts and am planning a floor redo, and a powerwash, wax/something for the fiberglass roof if it needs it, and some general rust management. My trailer is a 1995 model, and I want to keep it happy and rolling as long as I can!

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    1. Yes! Let me know if you need any specific advice, I've learned a ton in the past couple years. Just a couple of things: don't powerwash the fiberglass roof unless you really have to like I did in order to get the lichens off. Especially if it hasn't been properly maintained and the gelcoat is worn off, you'll do more harm than good. Are you a member of the Horse Trailer Conversions II Facebook group? That's been a great resource for me.

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  2. I got my trailer tire situation sorted and the axles greased! 😁 Now if only I had coggins I could go places, hahaha.

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    1. Ugh, right? I've been badgering my trainer to make sure we get the vet out before Karen's clinic.

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    2. I hassled her about the date over the weekend so I'm trying to make it happen 😁 no promises. A weekend would have been easier 😂

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  3. I know :( Same here. I hate taking a day off so soon after starting a new job. Not complaining though!

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    1. Fingers crossed I can come be your media ho! Haha

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  4. I'm itching to get mine out. It will need an inspection this year I think. I have to check my sticker!

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    1. Does yours say when it needs it? I don't think my sticker says anything except the trailer stats, if we're talking about the same sticker.

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  5. I don't have a trailer but I definitely see how one would come in handy. Good on you for making sure that everything is taken care of in a timely manner! I see so many Trailers that were just neglected a bit too much.

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    1. Agree, it's sad. They're too expensive to let things go with them! Besides structural/safety things, the thing I see people lapse on most of all is waxing, which is super important especially with fiberglass roofs.

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  6. I need to do some maintenance on our trailer. It needs to go in for an annual and the truck needs to have it's electric hookup fixed.

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    1. Especially important for you this year, right? Although I guess you may or may not decide to haul all that way yourselves.

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  7. I can't wait for a weekend of no snow so I can bring mine home for a good scrub. I grimace every time I look at it in the parking lot it's SO FILTHY.

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