Staying ahead of trailers
April 2009 Commercial Carrier Journal 59 W hile trailers don't have all the moving parts and complex dynamics that tractors do, they present tough maintenance challenges to fleet managers and technicians alike. They endure all the same road-inflicted hardships as power units, including exposure to the elements, rough roads and accidents. But trail-ers also are more likely to be dam-aged during loading and unloading operations, and they can sit idle for weeks or even months outdoors often at remote locations with little or no maintenance. Meanwhile, road salts, acids, wind and rain wreak havoc with their electrical sys-tems, structural components, power and insulation units and brakes. While volumes could be written about properly maintaining each of those separate trailer systems, adopt-ing sound spec'ing decisions and Good information, attention to detail keep trailer fleets productive and safe By Jack Roberts