The Importance of Inspecting Side Dump Trailers Annually

Specialized equipment, such as dump trailers, can provide many years of reliable and safe service. However, like any other equipment, they require regular service and maintenance to ensure it’s in optimal working condition. Taking time to service and inspect your dump trailer helps extend its life and ensure it’s safe to use. Regular inspections and maintenance are less expensive and faster than repairing mechanical failures and breakdowns.

At Side Dump Industries, we aim to ensure that every trailer you buy gives you a good return on investment. For this reason, our trailers are designed to last many years if well-maintained. We recommend cleaning your trailer regularly and working with a professional whenever your vehicle has a problem.

Why is a Side Dump Trailer Inspection Important?

Like cars, side dump trailers need an inspection to ensure they operate smoothly daily. Your trailer works hard every day, hauling and dumping different materials once or several times a day. You drive many miles through challenging terrain to load and dump loads. With time, some parts and components wear out and may need to be replaced or serviced for the truck to keep working.

Inspecting them regularly reduces the chances of downtimes that breakdowns could cause. Brakes, wheel bearings, and tires are some of the parts that may require regular checks. Moving parts like cylinders, trailer kingpins, bushings, pivot pins, and cylinder pins should be regularly inspected for wear, leaks, and damage. A routine inspection helps find potential problems and fix them before they become more extensive and more expensive.

How Often Are Inspections Required?

You should have your side dump trailer thoroughly inspected at least once or twice yearly or after every 25,000 miles, whichever comes first. Of course, this depends on how you use your trailer, how often you use it, what you carry, and the size. For instance, dump trailers with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 3,000 pounds should be inspected once every year.

Remember, we have mentioned there are parts that you will need to check more often, such as the wheels and brakes. If you use your side dump trailer regularly, you should have it inspected twice every year and schedule regular weekly inspections for moving parts and critical components.

Every 25,000 miles or yearly, perform the following maintenance checklist:

• Air brake system
• Inspect brake chambers and clean all parts
• Check brake drum for distortion, heat checking, out of roundness and scoring
• Remove brake shoes to examine bushings and anchor pins
• Examine brake cam, brake cam rollers and/or brake shoe wear plate for wear.

Every 50,000 miles or yearly, perform the following maintenance checklist:

• Air brake system
• Inspect the brake chambers and clean all the parts
• Install new diaphragms and other worn parts
• Check Slack Adjuster bushing and brake chamber yoke pin for wear
• Check hub gaskets and seals for leaks before each trip. Leaking seals can result in ruined wheel bearings and possible failure of the axle-wheel assembly.
• Check grease level in hubs periodically. Our axles use Hi-Temp Synthetic grease. Change grease every 100,000 miles or once every 12 months. For heavy use (24/7), change grease every 30,000 miles or once every 6 months. CAUTION: Too much grease can damage the wheel bearings and seals. Do not overfill
• Axle Alignment: must be checked at regular intervals. If the trailer is not following properly, this should be reported to the Maintenance Department.

What’s Included in a Side Dump Inspection?

Yearly inspection should be thorough. Your dump trailer professional should inspect every part. They should repair and replace old worn-out parts to keep the vehicle in good condition. Wash your side dump trailer regularly with a power washer to remove dirt and muck that could cause parts of your trailer to wear out or lead to corrosion. Side dump inspection includes:

• Checking fasteners and frame members
• Inspecting welds
• Checking the brakes
• Maintaining the landing leg or jack
• Checking the signals and lights
• Inspecting wheel rims
• Checking the wheel bearings

How Long Does a Trailer Last?

At a minimum, your dump trailer should last at least ten years. You can prolong its longevity to about five more years if you take care of it well. Some trailers can even last up to 20 years with good care. Our side dump trailers are designed to last many years as they are made of high-quality, durable material.

Find a Side Dump Dealer Near You!

Are you looking to buy a side dump truck in Sioux City? Side Dump Industries has a solution for you. Search for trailer dealers near me or contact our sales team to guide you based on your location.