Beat the Wet: The 5-Minute Checklist to Winter-Proof Your Tradesman Trailer

As winter approaches in Adelaide and the weather gets colder and wetter, it's important to make sure that your tradie trailer , and the invaluable tools and equipment it transports, are fully protected. Regardless of whether you're towing a single axle or tandem axle tradesman trailer, you need to make sure that the seals and waterproofing are up to scratch, your tyres and brakes are ready for wet road conditions, and that the trailer chassis is protected against corrosion.

In this guide, the Basic Trailers team offers some useful tips for making sure your tradie trailer is safe to tow, how to ensure the tools, material and equipment you transport remain in perfect condition, and the benefits trailer safety delivers for your business.

The Quick 5-Minute Tradie Trailer Winter Checklist

 Checking your single axle or tandem axle tradesman trailer is ready to transport your tools, equipment and materials safely doesn't need to be complicated or time consuming. The following is a quick checklist tradies can complete before heading out onto the road.

1.         Start by taking a quick walk around your trailer and checking the canopy doors and side doors for any gaps, cracked seals or missing rubber.

2.         Check the tread on your tyres and ensure that there is at least 3mm depth, and that the wear is even on both the inner and outer edges. You should also confirm that the tyre pressure is in line with specifications.

3.         Find a quiet bit of road on which to conduct a brake test. Do this by applying the brakes gradually to ensure that the trailer is able to stop smoothly and in a straight line. If the brakes pulse, grab or it feels as if the trailer is pushing the towing vehicle, this likely means that the brakes need adjusting.

4.         Inspect the body, canopy, chassis rails, drawbar and the underside of the trailer for any signs of rust or paint that has been chipped away. Pay particular attention to areas more likely to be exposed to debris from the road.

5.         Finally, check that the brake lights, tail lights and indicators are working as intended. Make sure you also check that the plug and connections have not corroded.

Why protecting your tradesman trailer matters

Effective seals and waterproofing protect your tradesman trailer

The seals and waterproofing of your tradie trailer are the ultimate protection against winter weather, and if they're not in good working order, tools, materials, equipment and products are susceptible to rain and water damage.

Water can make its way into a tradie trailer through a range of different points. Worn seals on the rear canopy doors and side access doors are common entry points, as are the roof joints where the panels meet. Locks that don't pull the doors tightly shut can also let water in, and so require careful checking.

How to check the seals on your tradesman trailer

To begin the process, have someone get inside the trailer and close all access doors completely. If there is any light showing around the door seals, this means they are vulnerable to the ingress of water. If there are any areas that look as they are not fully sealed, spray the area with a hose to confirm whether or not rain is able to get in. You can check the quality of these seals by looking for any cracks, flattening or missing sections.

Even if all the seals are watertight, it pays to lubricate hinges and door locks with silicone to ensure they are able to pull in tightly and so provide an effective barrier against the elements.

Tyres and braking ensure safe handling

In the winter in South Australia, wet and cold weather can have an impact on tyres, wheel bearings and the braking system on your tradesman trailer. These all need to be in good working order, particularly if you're transporting heavy duty machinery or equipment.

How to check the tyres, brakes and bearings on your tradie trailer

Begin the process with a visual check of both the inner and outer edges to ensure that there is even tread wear across all tyres.

It's also important to check that tyres are inflated to the correct pressure, especially in cold winter weather, as drops in the temperature can also lead to drops in tyre PSI.

During the winter, you should also check the hub temperature. Do this after a shortish journey by simply touching the hub; they should be warm but if the hubs are too hot for you to keep your hand on them, this means that your brakes need attention to ensure they are delivering full functionality.

Testing brakes in wet weather conditions

If it's possible, you should test the brakes of your trailer in the rain or on a wet road. Driving slowly, apply the brakes gradually to see if there is any pulsing or grabbing, as this could indicate that the pads or drums are worn. If it feels as though the trailer is pushing your towing vehicle, this could mean that the brakes need balancing, while if they pull to one side adjustment is required.

Check the electrical connections

As part of your winter trailer check, make sure the light plug remains clean and that there is no corrosion on wires or the plug itself. Damaged electrics can mean that tail lights and indicators don't work, and electric brakes can be impacted.

Protect the trailer chassis from corrosion for longevity and on-road safety

The structural integrity and quality of the chassis on a tradesman trailer is essential to its longevity, safe towing and the trailer's capacity to keep your tools, equipment and machinery in perfect condition.

Check the underbody for corrosion

There are a range of details that are essential to check during the winter, as the weather and wet road conditions can create vulnerabilities.

Start by looking at main chassis to ensure there is no flaking coating or rust staining, and checking that there is no build up of mud or moisture on the cross bracing. Also look for any signs of cracks, rust or fatigue marks on the spring hangers, or stone chips and surface rust on the drawbar. The mud guards should also be checked to see if they have been chipped by road debris.

Regular cleaning will maintain trailer quality and structural integrity

For ongoing durability, reliability and precision performance, it pays to wash your tradie trailer after you've been out on wet roads or muddy worksites. Pay particular attention to the underbody, mudguards and wheels, as ensuring these are clean will prevent the build up of debris and stop corrosion.

Keep your tradie trailer under cover whenever possible

Whenever it's possible, you can help to protect your tradesman trailer during the winter months by parking it under cover. If you can, park it on hard ground and the front slightly raised that any standing water is able to drain off.

Before you park or store your trailer for any extended period of time, make sure there is no standing water in the interior, as this creates the ideal condition for mould and corrosion to build up.

Need help to maintain your tradesman trailer?

 At Basic Trailers, we manufacture a range of tradie trailers locally in multiple sizes and using high quality Australia steel. Our single axle and tandem axle trailers are designed for heavy duty use across a range of applications and are ideal for keeping tools, material, equipment and products safe and secure when on the road, on the job, or when parked up.

Our experience and expertise means we understand what is required to keep a tradie trailer clean, safe and roadworthy, and are happy to advise tradies on the best way to make sure your trailer is in a fit state to keep on working for you.

In addition, our friendly team is always happy to advise tradespeople on the type of trailer that will best suit their needs.

 Call us on 1300 770 770 or email sales@basictrailers.com.au and we'll be happy to discuss your specific tradie trailer needs, and how to ensure your tools and equipment are kept safe and secure during the winter in South Australia.