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Trailer Maintenance Checklist

Trailers sit for weeks and then carry heavy loads on short notice. A regular look at the parts that wear out turns most roadside failures into small repair jobs done in the shop.

How often should a farm trailer be inspected?

Look the trailer over before every trip, and give it a more thorough check at the start of each busy season and after any hard use such as a rough field, a collision or a long haul. Trailers that sit outdoors age from sun, moisture and vibration even when they are barely used.

Keep a short written log with the date, what you checked and what you repaired. The manufacturer's manual lists the service intervals and lubrication points for your trailer, and those instructions take priority over any general list.

What should you check on tires and wheels?

Tires on little-used trailers often fail from age and low pressure rather than from tread wear. Look at sidewalls for cracks, bulges and cuts, check that tire pressure matches what the trailer and tire labels call for, and look at tread for uneven wear, which can point to alignment or axle problems.

Wheel fasteners should be present and snug, and the wheel manufacturer or trailer manual explains the correct way to tighten and recheck them. A spare tire that is flat or old is not much help, so check it too, along with the jack and tools.

• Sidewall cracks, bulges, cuts or exposed cord
• Pressure matched to the label, checked cold
• Missing or loose wheel fasteners
• Condition of the spare and the tools to change it

How do you look after brakes and bearings?

If your trailer has brakes, test them before you rely on them. Make sure the breakaway system, where fitted, is in working order and that brake lines, wiring and connections are not frayed, rusted or rubbing. Pulling a heavily loaded trailer on weak brakes is one of the more dangerous situations on a rural road.

Hubs that run hot, leak grease or make noise need attention. Bearing service and brake adjustment require the right tools and knowledge, so take the trailer to a qualified shop if you are unsure. Follow the manufacturer's maintenance schedule.

Keep an eye on how the trailer looks parked. Uneven sagging, a tire that sits lower than the others or a deck that sits crooked can point to a spring, axle or tire problem before it shows up on the road.

What about the frame, deck and ramps?

Walk the full length looking for cracks in welds, rust that has eaten through metal, bent cross members and loose bolts. Check the deck for soft or rotted boards or damaged plates, and inspect ramps, hinges, springs and latches for wear.

Fix surface rust early before it spreads. Structural welds and frame repairs should be handled by a qualified welder or trailer shop, since an amateur repair may hide a weakness that appears under load.

Which hitch, lighting and electrical parts need attention?

Inspect the coupler, latch, pin and safety chain attachment points. Make sure the latch closes fully and the lock works, and check that chain hooks and links are not stretched, cracked or worn. Check the wiring plug and cable for damage and corrosion, and then confirm that every light works, including brake, turn and marker lights.

Clean contacts and use the electrical care methods recommended in your manual. A light that flickers usually points to a ground or connector problem that will return, so repair it instead of ignoring it.

Include the jack, landing gear and the ramps in your check. Landing gear that binds or leans can drop a tongue unexpectedly, and ramp springs and latches that fail can injure someone's hands or feet during loading.

When should you stop and call a professional?

Some problems are not worth a home fix. Cracked frame members, damaged axles, worn or leaking brake components, and bent tongues should go to a shop. If a part looks questionable and you cannot tell whether it is safe, do not tow the trailer loaded.

Keep contact information for a trailer repair shop and a mobile tire service in your phone. If a breakdown happens on a road, move off the pavement as far as you can, turn on hazard lights and call for help. If anyone is hurt, call 911.

What should you do at the end of the season?

Before storing the trailer, wash off manure, salt and grain residue, which hold moisture against metal. Lubricate hinges and latches, protect tires from sun where you can and fix any problem you noted during the year while it is fresh in your mind.

In spring, treat the trailer as if you had not seen it for months: inspect the whole thing again before the first haul. Keep your log and share it with anyone else who will use the trailer.

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Farm Safety Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.