Spring Maintenance

[reo-ron]

OK Boys and Girls lets talk safety!!Before BB ( my first TD trip for '09) it's time to check out the teardrops. If it's been over three years or 10000 miles you need to clean inspect and repack wheel bearings. Most of these trailers have cheap Chinese bearings and need to be checked regularly. While you have it up on jackstands, crawl around under the thing and inspect the frame. depending on what type frame you have it could have either cracked welds , loose bolts , or noticable problems. Use a flashlight and look for rust streaks that look like lines( usually vertical) If you have leaf springs check your shackle bolts and hangers. The spring eyes and hanger holes will wear in an egg shaped pattern over time and may need replaced. If you have torsion axels this is not a problem. That pretty well does the bottom except make sure any wiring running under the trail is still well secured and all connections are intact. Next hook up the lights and check all the bulbs. inspect your safety chains and coupler parts. Your tires need a good examinations, no bumps or age cracks! If the tires are over 5-6 years old consider new ones. This should get you just about ready to roll. Now load you stuff and let's camp.
Ron