Finding The Perfect Car

Four Things You Need To Do To Prepare Your Truck And Trailer For Hauling Loads During The Winter

29 November 2017 by Julian Moya

Whether you use your trailer to haul machinery, materials, or vehicles, it is important to take the necessary steps to get your truck and trailer ready for winter. By making the necessary preparations, you increase the likelihood that you experience safe winter travel during extreme temperatures or winter precipitation.

1. Give Your Truck and Trailer a Thorough Cleaning

When visibility is poor, it is important to make sure that your truck and trailer lights are as bright as possible. One way to do so is to clean both the interior and the exterior of your lights' coverings. By removing any build up, you help ensure that other vehicles can see you in poor weather conditions.

While you are cleaning the lights' coverings, check to see if it is time to replace any of the bulbs. You don't want a bulb to burn out during the middle of a cross-country trek through multiple states with hazardous weather.

2. Check All of Your Equipment's Systems and Fluids

Few things are more frightening than turning on your wipers in an attempt to clear heavy snow from the windshield, only to have the wipers fail to do their job. Go through your maintenance records and see what parts need to be replaced. Top of all of your fluids so that they are at the appropriate levels.

Don't forget your trailer! The trailer brakes, wheels, and wiring are just a few parts that you need to make sure are in top-notch condition.

3. Rethink Your Scheduling

If you know that your route will be experiencing bad weather, it is important to make sure that your scheduling is realistic. You need to allow extra time for driving during bad weather; aside from having to travel at lower speeds, it is common fender benders and poor road conditions to snarl traffic.

When possible, try to build in extra time for these delays. 

4. Make Sure Your Truck Has an Emergency Kit

Despite your best preparations, it is possible that you may get into a fender bender. See that your truck has a proper emergency kit if you are stranded and have to wait for help. Some items that you might want to include are:

• Flares
• Bottled water
• Non-perishable food
• Blankets
• A first aid kit
• Shovel

Though it sounds like an odd addition, consider adding cat litter to your emergency kit. If your truck or trailer gets stuck in a snowdrift, you can sprinkle the cat litter on the ground to give your truck additional traction. Contact a company like Ace Trailer Sales for more information and assistance. 

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