Ensuring Safe Cargo Hauling: The Importance of Trailer Leaf Spring Maintenance and Inspection
If roads were straight and smooth with no cracks or potholes, it would make hauling cargo much easier. However, that is neither our present reality nor does it seem to be possible in the near future. Since this is true, trailers are equipped with suspension devices, such as leaf springs made from spring steel. These leaf springs need regularly scheduled trailer leaf spring maintenance to reduce wear and improve efficiency.
Leaf springs are arc-shaped lengths of carbon steel alloys that are heated and cooled (tempered) quickly to remove the brittle properties of the iron. A series of arcs are combined and attached to the undercarriage, carrying the trailer’s weight and cargo.
As a tire drops into a pothole and springs up, the leaf spring flexes to the road’s uneven surface and absorbs much of the shock of that blow. This both reduces the movement of the trailer and cargo and redistributes the stress on the trailer’s frame and axle. This is successful in:
- Protecting the integrity of the trailer frame from constant vertical motion.
- Keeping the tires on the ground and the hauling vehicle stable on the road.
- Cushioning the cargo, keeping it intact.
Trailer Leaf Spring Maintenance Tip 1: Can spring steel “lose its spring?”
Certainly. Fatigue can cause a loss of flexibility, reducing the effectiveness of the spring to provide suspension.
- The most common cause for the reduction in spring is wear and tear from constant use.
- Excessive corrosion from rust or road salts can weaken the steel in the spring.
- Extreme temperature changes can also reduce the effectiveness of the spring steel.
Trailer Leaf Spring Maintenance Tip 2: Detecting problems with the leaf spring is essential to:
- Protect both the public and the driver of the hauling vehicle.
- Prevent damage to the trailer and the truck that tows it.
- Ensure the cargo safely arrives at the destination.
Trailer Leaf Spring Maintenance Tip 3: What should you look for?
- While the trailer is unloaded, watch for flattened springs. This may be noticeable by looking at the trailer.
- While the trailer is under load, the trailer bed may have an observable sag. Long trailers should have an upward arc.
The Department of Transportation requires that the trailer be thoroughly inspected annually, but a “best practice” model includes a visual inspection prior to each trip. Watch for:
- A load that seems uneven, when one leaf spring is intact, and the other is damaged.
- Observable sags or flattening. If the trailer does not “look right,” look further to determine what is wrong.
- Uneven tire wear.
If anything seems amiss, take a closer look. Damage to the leaf spring may be hidden by the tires on the outside. The needed inspection may include crawling under the trailer for an inspection from the inside of the spring. Look for cracks, breaks, excessive rust, or wear. A damaged spring creates a driving hazard and needs to be replaced before the trailer goes back on the road.
Critical Tips for Trailer Leaf Spring Maintenance: Ensuring Safe and Smooth Cargo Hauling
At Trailer Wheel and Frame, we provide full service for all types of trailers. Call us today at 281-931-7777 and let our trailer experts assist with your Trailer Leaf Spring Maintenance.