With the winter season fast approaching and road conditions that are bound to get worse, knowing how to properly handle your truck and trailer is all the more important. Knowing the risks that you will face and how to deal with them is essential to maintain your trailer safety on the winter roads, which is why our team at Ainsworth Trailer Repair has listed some tips on this process.
Winterize your trailer before the snow hits
Before the heaviest months of snow arrive, make sure you get your trailer all of the necessary repairs and maintenance to keep it up to par for the harsh weather. Our experts at Ainsworth Trailer Repair can help you through the process of winterizing your trailer through preventative trailer maintenance and repairs. Just don’t wait until the last minute to get them done or it might be too late.
Drive for the weather
During the wintertime, trailer safety is greatly influenced by your driving habits. No matter how many winterization maintenance procedures you have done, with poor driving skills they will all go to waste. Make sure you’re keeping your lights clear of snow, giving yourself enough distance between other cars and avoiding using your brakes on curves. Furthermore, when on a decline, drive slow is best, and don’t worry if someone behind you is more impatient; and when driving uphill stay light on the gas pedal; soft pressure and gradual acceleration is the key to not spinning out.
Add some winter items to your emergency kit
In our other blog, Ainsworth Trailer Repair’s Tips for the Ultimate Trailer Emergency Preparedness, we outlined some of the items that you should always keep handy in your emergency trailer kit. During the wintertime, be sure to add some extra items for the change in weather such as tire chains, matches, warm clothing, extra food and a windshield scraper. If you’re ever stuck on the road with your trailer and need emergency help, give our drivers a call anytime for our 24/7 mobile trailer service.
Check your trailer before getting on the road
Before you drive in winter conditions, be sure to check your tire pressure and top off your fluids. Also make sure that you are prepared to drive in the winter weather; if you have any doubts, consider putting off your plans until the weather is more in line with what you can handle. Harsh winter weather is the last time of year that you want to be stuck on the road, so always err on the side of caution.
Wintertime is the time of year when trailer safety is most important, as accidents are at their peak and road conditions are the harshest. Follow the tips above to ensure that your winter driving is as smooth as possible and you are prepared for anything that the road presents to you. If you need emergency service or help winterizing your trailer, give us as call at 303-227-9363.
