How to Maintain and Care for Your Trailer

Proper trailer maintenance is essential for the safety, longevity, and performance of your horse trailer. Whether you’re heading to a weekend event or hauling across state lines, following a consistent maintenance schedule will help ensure your trailer stays road-ready. Here’s how to maintain and care for your trailer at regular intervals to avoid potential costly repairs and unexpected issues.

Before Each Tow

Learning how to maintain and care for your trailer starts with a pre-trip inspection. Every time you tow, make sure to:

• Clean the Exterior: Remove road debris, salt, and dirt from the trailer’s exterior to prevent wear and damage, especially during winter months.
• Coupler and Hitch Ball: Inspect for cracks, pits, and flats. Replace with a ball and coupler that match the trailer’s gross vehicle weight rating. Grease and then check the locking device, replacing it if it shows wear.
• Safety Chains and Hooks: Inspect for wear and damage.
• Check Tires and Wheels: Ensure lug nuts, bolts, and hubs are tight, and check tire pressure before each trip to maintain optimal performance and safety.
• Check Lights and Brakes: When your vehicle is hooked to a trailer, verify that all lights and brakes are functioning properly.
• Protect Aluminum Components: Aluminum trailers are lightweight and durable, but susceptible to corrosion. Regular cleaning helps protect your investment. For optimal cleaning of your trailer, take it to a reputable semi-truck wash.

Monthly Maintenance

Each month, take time for these quick but essential trailer care tasks:

• Dexter Axle Brakes: Dexter recommends adjusting your brakes after the first 200 miles of operation when brake shoes and drums have “seated,” at 3,000-mile intervals, or as use or performance requires.  However, if your trailer has Nev-R-Adjust brakes they will automatically adjust during normal brake actuation, eliminating the need for manual adjustments.
• Lubricate Moving Parts: Apply Super Slick Slick Stuff to gates, door hinges, couplers, and latches to prevent rust and ensure smooth operation.

Every 6 Months or 6,000 Miles

To keep your trailer in top condition, inspect these key components biannually:

• Rubber Floor Mats: Remove mats, clean and rinse the floors, once dry, reinstall rubber mats. (Consider upgrading to  W.E.R.M. flooring.)
• Tires: Check tread depth and look for cracks, bulges, or sidewall damage. Rotate tires every 5,000 miles and replace when necessary.
• Brakes: Test electric brakes for full functionality.
• Safety Chains & Hooks: Inspect for wear and damage—replace if compromised.
• Coupler and Hitch Ball: Look for cracks, pits, or flats. Use only components rated for your trailer’s GVW. Apply grease and check the locking mechanism.
• Ring and Pintle Hitch: Just like the coupler, inspect for cracks and wear, grease regularly, and replace worn components promptly.

Every Year or 12,000 Miles

A full annual inspection is critical in understanding how to maintain and care for your trailer long-term:

• Dexter Axle Bearings:
• Dexter recommends repacking bearings, inspecting, replacing seals is essential to prevent grease leakage and ensure proper brake function and lubricating axles with E-Z Lube, every 12 months or 12,000 miles, or more frequently if exposed to water.
• Dexter Axle Brakes: Inspect and clean your brakes, but if you notice a loss of braking performance, you should service your brakes more frequently as required.
• Frame Members: Check all bolts, rivets, and frame components. Repair or replace any damaged or worn parts.
• Jack (Drop-Leg): Lubricate the gears at the top of the jack for smooth operation
• Rims: Examine for dents, cracks, or other structural damage.
• Welds: Inspect all welds for cracks or signs of stress.

4-Star Trailers Warranty

At 4-Star Trailers, we stand behind our craftsmanship with a robust warranty:

• 8-Year Structural Warranty: Covers the frame assembly on all models, including recreational and commercial trailers.
• 2-Year Component Warranty: Covers 4-Star manufactured components like gates, doors, and dividers.
• 1-Year Sealant Warranty: After the first year, sealants are considered a standard maintenance item.

By following these tips on how to maintain and care for your trailer, you’ll extend the life of your investment and enjoy safer, smoother travels. For best results, stick to your maintenance schedule—and when in doubt, consult your owner’s manual or contact your local dealer.

Need more support? Reach out to your local 4-Star Trailers dealer for expert service and advice or Click Here.