Trailer Safety

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rigmech

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Hi
Recently I looked at a friend’s newly purchased trailer just before she loaded two horses; I was so concerned by the condition of this trailer that I advised her not to use it.
Subsequently I sorted out various problems with the trailer including:

excessive play in front wheel bearings , limited braking effort on front wheels , no braking effort on either rear wheel , OSR brake binding ,severe cracking to side walls on two tyres , intermittent electrical faults including missing number plate lamp.

To be fair this trailer was in good cosmetic condition it was only closer inspection that revealed the faults, most of them were potentially dangerous and some would certainly have earned the driver points from a keen traffic officer.
While sorting out this trailer a couple of questions occurred to me,

How frequently do owners have their trailer checked or serviced?

How many owners would consider an annual onsite inspection of their trailer from an experienced mechanic, with any required service or repair being completed on site at a fixed price?

Perhaps there is an opportunity here for someone to provide a mobile trailer servicing / repair business.

Anybody have any thoughts?

If nothing else I hope this encourages owners to get their trailer checked this year, the consequence of an accident with that trailer with two horses onboard doesn’t bear thinking about.

Rob
 
A very good point Rob.

My OH is a clever engineering so and so and was horrified when I was going to take out my friends trailer (which she uses regularly) as he said it was horrifically unsafe! Similar issues to those you mention.


I plan to buy my own now! If he couldn't fix the thing himself I would definitely look into having it serviced regularly now!
 
Where are you based Rob? I could do with mine checking!! I have it serviced but they don't seem to do much for the £120 I paid them. It would be grate if someone set up mobile, I would certainly use them!!
 
Ours is usually serviced around February each year, before the show season starts. I did wonder about leaving it this year as it was only used about a dozen times in total last year, it stands outside but on a concrete hard standing, would it be okay to leave servicing it for now?
 
MM I would still have it checked, whilst it may not have been used much the weather can still get in it.

I have mine done every 6 months, a friend of mine does it for for a meal and a pint! I check the floor, ramp and electrics every time I use it.

I remember a story of a woman who's horse went through the floor, got it's foot stuck under the back wheel which was then dragged about 1/4 mile. The injuries were horrific and instilled in me the NEED to check your trailer regularly. Subsequently I am thinking of having an aluminium floor put in mine although not sure how feasible this is with an old bahill trailer like mine.
 
I've been thinking about this, I hardly use my trailer but thought this might cause problems too. Is it possible it could sease (sp) up just standing there ? I haven't used it all winter.

I'd like the floor checked for definate and the brakes etc

Good idea Rob, where are you based ?

I use it say 6-8 times through the summer to go to the beach or the odd fun ride so hasn't had much use, we did intend going to the beach over the xmas hols but the white stuff put pay to that and I want the trailer checked before a use it again really because I haven't used it over the winter

I've jumped up and down in it and gone underneath it to check but it wouldn't have been greased anywhere in the last few years so am a bit worried to use it before its checked TBH
 
I have an old Rice, I get it checked/serviced twice a year. We are lucky to have a mechanic who rents space off the farmer so it is no trouble to do this, but I'd do it anyway. I am so paranoid about towing I wouldn't have it any other way.

I had a close call with the 1st Rice I had, never got it serviced or checked regularly. The suspension was collapsed, it put the brakes on which burned my clutch out, I broke down with 2 horses on board. A friend of a friend came to get the horses and shouted at me, called my trailer a deathtrap, so I got the one I hve now and that is why I get it checked regularly. I was lucky because it could have been much worse
 
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Why don't trailers have to have an inspection?

Here, the way I have been told, if you want to insure a livestock (doesn't matter what goes in it) trailer you have to produce a valid Safety Certificate. If you get caught without a SC you get fined. Trailers have to have plates on (they get their own) to get the plate you need a SC.

Of course, lots of people don't get them done they just take the risk they won't get stopped and checked.
 
Enfys said:
Why don't trailers have to have an inspection?

Here, the way I have been told, if you want to insure a livestock (doesn't matter what goes in it) trailer you have to produce a valid Safety Certificate. If you get caught without a SC you get fined. Trailers have to have plates on (they get their own) to get the plate you need a SC.

Of course, lots of people don't get them done they just take the risk they won't get stopped and checked.
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Yes looks like you guys are ahead of the game ..
Its long long overdue here!!! we have loads of petty meaninless laws BUT NO ANNUAL TEST
for small trailers ......
 
Rob, my brother provides this service in Scotland - he is a qualified HGV mechanic and he goes to shows and does trailer inspections whilst people are competing, he also does twice yearly trailer services and has a number of customers - the particularly like that he goes to them as he is mobile.
 
Mine is serviced anually,just had all new brake pads fitted and overhaul of braking system,cost a few hundred but well worth it. IMHO there should be an MOT type test for horse trailers, some trailers I see on the road and at shows make me shudder.
 
I have a qualified Caravan service chap that does mine I do it yearly normally but didn't last year as the trailer had not been used much and lives in a barn.

He takes all the wheels right off greases the bearings, he checks all the lights and breaks and does all the other grease points plus the tow hitch and checks all the ramps, springs and hinges as well as the tyres etc. He charges £90 plus any parts needed. A really good job well done and I know the horses are safer! I feel if you are going to use an older trailer this is really a must, but there are so many out there that are never checked all over regularly.

It's the tyres that can be a real nightmare as although they usually have a lot of tread on them they can perish very quickly! I renewed two last year and have another two to do this year .
 
I take mine down to a lorry mechanic ever year for checking. I grease all the hinges etc myself in the year and ended up buying a tyre pressure gauge/inflator too - but he goes over it properly..
 
sea_view said:
Rob, my brother provides this service in Scotland - he is a qualified HGV mechanic and he goes to shows and does trailer inspections whilst people are competing, he also does twice yearly trailer services and has a number of customers - the particularly like that he goes to them as he is mobile.
Click to expand...

I'm not in Scotland but was curious to how much he charges as a guide
 
Im quite lucky as my dad owns a garage :). If its been standing for long periods I get him to check it over for me. Its always been fine, but you wouldnt not get your car serviced/mot'd so why should it not be the same with a trailer, especially when we carry our precious cargo in them :)
 
I'm very cautious about this! I've heard too many horror stories about floors giving way, etc My trailer is in for servicing just now, I've been told it's in great condition, especially for it's age(20+years) the only thing is it needs new brake cables and the guy's not sure if he can source them as it's that old! (BAHill Trailer if anyone could shed any light if they have one?!)
 
Have just bought a second hand Ifor Williams which is in immaculate condition but before our horse goes anywhere near it I will have it serviced and checked over by the local agent. Will have it seviced regularly in the future too. Could not live with myself if anything happened due to my negligence.
 
My dad used to service mine, but at 80 its beyond him now so I use a trailer servicing specialist. If you set up a mobile service I think you would do really well, my servicing place is a 45 minute drive away, so its so time consuming taking, leaving it there then going back to collect. What area will you be covering, & what will your charges be? Miine is due, so maybe we can get something booked in?
 
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