At Transport Services, we know your trailers are more than equipment, they’re revenue-generating assets. When trailers are down, loads don’t move, drivers and customers get frustrated and costs add up fast. That’s why understanding the basic anatomy of your trailer and keeping key components properly maintained is critical to protecting uptime and controlling operating expenses.
Below is a practical and simple breakdown of the most important trailer components and where proactive maintenance makes the biggest impact.
Trailer Frame & Structural Components
We consider this to be the backbone of your trailer because all these components together support every pound of freight you haul. For the record, we are referring to a “frameless” trailer like a dry van. A “frame” trailer, like a flatbed, is supported underneath by substantial frames to carry the weight of the freight. We will cover topics related to flatbeds in another blog so for now, we’ll focus on frameless trailers.
Cracks, corrosion, or structural fatigue can quickly turn into safety issues or expensive downtime. As a buyer of a lot of trailers, Transport Services focuses on the frame and structural components because we understand their importance and potential negative impacts when they’re not in good condition. To increase your trade in value or your resale value, you’ll need to ensure you are maintaining these items regularly.
How Transport Services helps:
- Structural inspections and repairs (top rail, bottom rail, floors)
- Corrosion prevention and winter damage assessments
- Crossmember and weld inspections
- Door hardware and seals
- Roof seams and punctures
- Sidewall and rear frame damage
If your trailers operate in harsh Midwest conditions, a structural inspection will help solve small issues before they become big repairs. If you’ve noticed leaks, sticking doors or visible damage, bring your trailer in before freight gets compromised.
Suspension System
The suspension system is a high-priority maintenance component that affects the ride quality, tire life and cargo protection. A worn suspension destroys tires and puts stress on the entire unit which can be a major headache for a fleet if not maintained properly and regularly.
What to prioritize:
- Air bag inspections and replacements
- Bushing, hanger, and shock evaluations
- Ride-height corrections to prevent uneven wear
Noticing uneven tire wear or receiving rough ride complaints? Get your trailer into the shop as soon as possible to get a diagnostic.
Axles & Wheel Ends
This topic is one of the leading causes of roadside breakdowns. Additionally, they are very dangerous and almost always preventable with proper service. Axles and wheel ends are among the most critical components on a semi-trailer. Together, they support the trailer’s load, allow it to roll safely down the road and connect the suspension, braking and tire systems into one working assembly. When properly maintained, they help prevent breakdowns, extend component life and keep fleets compliant and profitable.
Our recommended attention includes:
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- - Bearing
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- - Oil level and contamination checks
- Brake System
Safety, compliance, and liability protection
This component is obviously very critical for the overall safety and function of the trailer. There are also many compliance standards associated with the brake system that need maintained in order to have trailers on the road. Coincidentally, brakes remain one of the most common DOT violation areas and one of the most important systems on your trailer.
What we focus on:
- Brake measurements and adjustments- Slack adjuster inspections
- Air system leak detection
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- - ABS diagnostics and repairs
- Tires & Wheels
Improper tire maintenance increases fuel costs, causes blowouts and shortens tire life. Our new Hyundai trailers are outfitted with a tire inflation system that ensure the trailers tires are always inflated while moving. This prevents uneven wear, tire replacements and warns the driver that a potential repair is needed.
Fleet-proven tire services include:
- Inflation checks and adjustments-
- - Tire replacement and rotation
- Wheel-end torque verification
Landing Gear
Trailer landing gear is a critical support system designed to hold up the front of a trailer when it is not connected to a tractor. While it may seem like a simple component, landing gear plays an essential role in safety, stability and day-to-day trailer operations. It allows to keep the trailer level and stable while it is parked or being loaded/unloaded and allow safe coupling and uncoupling between the trailer and tractor. Without properly functioning landing gear, trailers can tip forward, drop suddenly, or become unsafe for drivers and dock workers.
Preventive maintenance includes:
- Lubrication services
- Bent leg and cross-shaft inspections
- Alignment and operational checks
Electrical & Lighting Systems
The lighting and electrical system on a semi-trailer is made for safety, visibility, communication with the tractor and DOT compliance. While often overlooked, this system ensures that your trailer can be seen, understood and operated safely by other drivers on the road during day or night, in any weather. The trailer electrical system connects the trailer to the tractor through the 7-way (or 7-pin) connector, supplying power and control signals to the trailer’s lights and safety systems.
Its primary functions are to power all exterior and interior lights, communicate braking and turning intentions to other motorists, support safety systems such as ABS. Without a properly functioning electrical system, a trailer can quickly become unsafe and out of compliance. Lighting issues are another common DOT violation but can be avoidable with regular inspections.
Our services cover:
- Wiring repairs and replacements- LED lighting upgrades
- Connector and harness inspections
Why Fleet Owners Trust Transport Services
Preventive maintenance is always less expensive than emergency repairs. At Transport Services, we help fleet owners stay ahead of breakdowns with expert inspections, experienced technicians, and a focus on keeping trailers on the road.
Whether you run a single trailer or a full fleet, we’re here to support your operation with dependable service and practical maintenance solutions. We care about your safety on the road, so don’t think twice about scheduling the inspection or preventative maintenance… you’ll thank yourself later.
Schedule your inspection and PM today with Transport!
call: 440.582.4900 ext 2
email: service@transportservices.com