T alk to a trailer mechanic about cold weather and right away the conversation will jump to frozen air lines and stuck brakes. Those are some direct effects of sub-zero temperatures, but numbing cold can create trouble that a few squirts of alcohol in the gladhands can’t fix-corrosion, worn brake components, and electrical problems. Here’s how to combat, or at least monitor, the effects of ice, grime, salt, and corrosion today and in the warmer months to come.

BRAKES

Scott Sherriff, Canadian regional operations manager for Transport International Pool, suggests a down-and-dirty approach to caked-on ice, which can act like concrete on a brake shoe.

“Hit the drum, but not the shoe, using a small hammer,” he says. “Then drain and clear the compressor to prevent valve blockage. Bleed all of the air out of it and run the system through the service compressor. You should build it back up again with fresh air.”

Sherriff also says to keep a watchful eye on your ABS. Ice build-up can affect the wheel sensors and possibly give an incorrect reading. He reminds his mechanics to routinely pull off the wheels and inspect the sensors, also ensuring that wiring is clear and secure and properly attached to the axle.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS

Pay attention to loose and corroded lighting connectors on the back of the trailer. Corrosion increases electrical resistance, which in turn places a heavier load on the entire system. Wires get warm and sometimes the circuit simply quits.

Look for corrosion in splices and crimped connectors, especially ones that are exposed to the weather. Check even inside insulated wires, especially if there’s a break in the insulation or an unprotected splice or connection.

Unsealed canister-type tail-light fixtures are especially prone to corrosion. Old age, corrosive chemical agents, and moisture are the culprits. Look inside all junction boxes, even those that are supposedly “sealed.” Over time the O-rings rip and the boxes can fill up with water. Seal all connectors and junction boxes with dielectric grease to prevent corrosion and promote contact.

TRAILER BODY

For Gerry Monahan, a trailer maintenance supervisor at Toronto-based XTL Transport, the worst trouble spots occur at the front of the trailer where the front panel meets the lower break panel. “Being stainless steel and aluminum, which simply don’t mix, the salt (from the roads) just amplifies the corrosion,” he explains.

Unfortunately, once rust and corrosion sets in, it’s virtually impossible to correct without replacing the panels. Monitor these problem areas often, he says.

Monahan also suggests watching out for a build-up of moisture in the back of the trailer, under the threshold plate-especially if the trailer has been in service for more than three years. If the plate is warped or rotting, find out what section needs to be replaced and stagger the cut.

Recheck-and reapply-undercoating to keep moisture and future rust off metal surfaces, especially on the crossmembers and rails under the trailer floor. Petroleum-based rust-control spray is designed to displace moisture and remain as a temporary protective coating. Urethane spray on the underside of trailers may restrain corrosion in some areas, but may actually harm metal in other locations.

ABOVE & BEYOND

Grease moving parts on hinges and landing gear regularly with a lighter, more fluid moly-based grease. You can recycle old synthetic wheel bearing grease from the hubs and use it on the landing gear. “It’s actually even lighter than what suspension grease is,” Monahan says.

Another hint Sherriff adds is to make sure all the tire valve stems have caps on them. “It helps prevent tire leakage. With no heat build-up, air decreases in the tire during winter,” he says.

The simplest way to prevent cold-weather problems, especially with trailers 10 years or older, is to not let your equipment sit in sub-zero temperatures for days on end.

Of course, keep your equipment as clean as you can, paying special attention to dropdeck trailers and those with low-profile wheel packages. “If you have a trailer where everything is lower to the ground, where the wheels and all the other components are smaller and you can’t see them, that’s a problem trailer,” says Sherriff. “It’s not because the trailer itself is a problem, but because you can’t get to it.”