Preparing a Trailer for a Long Haul: A Phoenix Pre-Trip Guide
A pre-trip checklist for long-haul trailers leaving Phoenix, from Fast & Furious Trailer Repair.
Quick answer: Before a long haul out of Phoenix, walk the trailer: check tires and pressures, listen for air leaks, test lights and brakes, feel for hot wheel ends after a short move, and look over doors, latches, gladhands and the frame. Fix small problems at the shop instead of on the shoulder. Fast & Furious Trailer Repair at 6639 W Fulton St in Phoenix works on semi, reefer, flatbed, utility, car hauler and equipment trailers; call or text (623) 707-9373.
Desert heat, stop-and-go on I-10 and long grades wear trailers hard. A short pre-trip before a multi-day run catches the things that strand drivers. Use this checklist with the trailer inspection checklist.
1. Tires, wheels and bearings
- Check tire condition and pressures when the tires are cold
- Look for uneven wear, cuts and nails
- Feel whether one wheel end runs much hotter than the others after a short move
- Watch for grease on the hub or wheel, which can point to a seal or bearing problem
See axles, hubs and bearings, signs of a bad wheel bearing and why a trailer pulls to one side.
2. Brakes and air lines
- With the system charged, walk around and listen for hissing at gladhands, lines, fittings and chambers
- Watch gauges for pressure that drops faster than it should
- Check gladhand seals for cracks or flat spots
- Note soft or uneven braking, dragging brakes or a slow release
See trailer brake and air line repair, trailer air leaks and brake problems and how often trailer brakes should be checked.
3. Lights and wiring
Walk the trailer with the lights on: markers, brake lights, turn signals and license-plate light. Flickering or dead lights are often a ground, connector or wiring issue. See trailer lights and wiring repair and why trailer lights keep going out.
4. Doors, latches and seals
Open and close doors, check latches and hinges, and look at door seals. A door that will not stay shut or a latch that sticks is a roadside problem waiting to happen. See doors, latches and hinges and the trailer door and latch repair guide.
5. Frame, beams and hangers
Look under and around the trailer for cracked welds, bent beams, damaged hangers and anything rubbing an air line or tire. Frame and rear beam damage should be fixed before a long run. See trailer welding and frame repair and the frame and beam welding guide.
6. Reefers and specialty trailers
If you run a reefer, confirm the unit is ready for the trip and that doors seal well. Fast & Furious works on dry vans, reefers and flatbeds for carriers and owner-operators, plus utility, car hauler and equipment trailers. See semi and reefer trailer repair and utility and equipment trailers.
Get the trailer ready before you leave
Repairs are often available the next day. Call or text (623) 707-9373 with the trailer type and what you found on the walkaround, send a request from the contact page or see customer reviews.
Still have a question?
Call or text (623) 707-9373 and ask.