TRAILER INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE

摘要

Contrary to popular belief, semi-trailers and trailers today are sophisticated pieces of kit requiring trained technicians to keep them in safe working order. There are also plenty of third party trailers out there for haulage, which present their own service issues to the unwary. Yet there is an expectation that trailers, more than most vehicles, can be maintained just about anywhere -because 'they're only trailers'. From both technicians' and workshop managers' perspectives, it's important to get one point clear. Trailers and semitrailers are subject to the same roadworthiness scrutiny as any other freight or passenger-carrying commercial vehicle. So a starting point should be a generic, yet comprehensive, inspection manual, covering all safety inspection checks (items as per the DfT annual test), activities and methodologies, with reasons for rejection and corrective action. A good example is that published by TIP Trailer Services.