Soon the weather will start to get nicer and you will remember your trailer that you stored in your parking lot or garage last year. The trailer that accompanies you throughout your holidays, carrying your tent, bikes, motorbikes or “stuff” that doesn’t fit in the boot.
But before we put it back on the road, It needs a check-up and February is the perfect month for it..
We recommend that you do a complete check-up, but today we especially want to talk to you about trailer axles.
The axles are the main elements of the trailer, since they support the towed load and at the same time guide the rotation movement.
They help you drive with Greater comfort and safety since in addition to the sleep function, they comply at the same time with the buffer paper.
The trailer axles we have at Comanche smooth out the unevenness of the road. This way they guarantee greater safety for your travel luggage and comfort to transported animals.
But not all axles are the same, there are many models, sizes, qualities, with or without brakes, etc.
What is the difference between braked and unbraked trailer axles?
Unbraked trailer axles are for those trailers that carry a light load, a motorbike or a quad on top, or your camping trailer with a simple hitch to the car.
Braked axles are used to prevent the trailer from putting so much pressure on the car when you brake.. Because the more weight you carry, the more pressure it exerts and due to inertia the trailer will need more time to brake. The axle with brake gives you an extra safety factor.
Trailers weighing less than 750kg (unregistered) can carry it and you do not need any special permit for this category of trailers.
A user cannot modify a trailer without brakes to a trailer with brakes, it must always be done by the manufacturer.Of course, axles with brakes will save you a lot of scares and you will put less stress on the car.
How to choose a suitable axle for your trailer?
If you want to change the axle you already have, it's easy, just order the same model.
However, things get complicated when you don't know which axis to use.
In Comanche always We recommend that you contact us before purchasing the axles.We will make sure that you choose the axles that are suitable for the exact measurements, model of your trailer and the weight of the load you want to transport.
Trailer axles are not flexible, therefore You can't manipulate them to fit the model you want.. Don't buy the axle that is "closest to" the one you already have, thinking that you can adapt it. You won't be able to.
In addition, trailer axles They are products approved in the European Union. It is an official recognition that the mandatory requirements, defined in technical specifications or standards, have been met. Any manipulation would result in the loss of this certification and the corresponding sanctions.
How do you know if your trailer axles are in good condition?
At the beginning of each season we recommend that you inspect your trailer from head to toe.
And to check the axles and monitor their condition, every year, do the following:
- Raise each trailer axle with a jack and spin the wheels freely. If they move, No noise, no irregularities, no lateral play on the axle and no suspicious friction., everything is fine.
- Check the bracket welds mounting the axle to the main chassis.
- Inspect the suspension (signs of excessive wear, elongation of the holes).
- If you detect any abnormality, and you are a bit of a handyman, disassemble the axle, clean it and grease it again. If not, take it to a workshop to be dealt with by a professional.
- In more serious cases such as breakage, rust, deterioration or dangerous wear replace the axles with new ones.
Repairs must be carried out by specialised personnel. A workshop equipped with the necessary technical means and specific instructions to be able to intervene safely and with guaranteed results.
The correct functioning and life of the equipment depends to a high degree on how the maintenance is carried out. Preventive maintenance. The use of ORIGINAL spare parts and materials is essential.
In addition to checking the axles, we advise you to:
- Grease the hitch head every 10,000km or 12 months with multi-purpose grease, as well as keeping the hitch ball clean and lubricated. This can prevent play from occurring, which could have serious consequences for safety.
- Check the tightening torque of the wheel fixing screws.
- Grease the hub bearings of the axis at least once a year.
- In case you have inertia brake, also check the correct condition of the brake shoes and that the brake cable is correctly tensioned.
- Review periodically the tires, checking that the inflation pressure is correct. The tread depth must be the required level and that they do not present any defects.
And now, so that you have no more excuses, this month in our online store we have put all our trailer axles on SALE.
Remember that at Comanche we only work with the best brands like Alko, GKN or Knott and you can check them out here.
Check your trailer this weekend and ensure you and your family have a trip without scares or surprises.
Vacations are for relaxing!
