Your trailer’s suspension may not be visible, but it does most of the hard work. It keeps your load stable, your tires grounded, and your ride smooth. Plus, it goes through the potholes, it bears the weight, and whatnot! All these wear it down eventually – after all, it’s a machine part.
But the problem is that most people don’t recognize it, and some may even ignore the issue until it becomes something big, which may cost them a fortune. After all, trailers are big, heavy, and costly, too!
However, you don’t have to make the same mistake. This blog will help you learn all about the common causes of trailer suspension failure so that you can stay aware and take necessary precautions beforehand!
7 Common Causes Of Trailer Suspension Failure And Some Prevention Tips!
Here are some of the causes why your trailer suspension may fail –
Worn Or Broken Leaf Spring
“Do you hear a squeak every time you hit a bump?”
Leaf springs take all the stress every time you hit a bump, and over time, they wear out. If one of the springs is cracked or sagging, it throws the trailer suspension off balance. This causes swaying, poor handling, and even tire wear.
If you ignore it for too long, it can snap the spring, which, of course, you don’t want to happen mid-journey. If you hear squeaking or your trailer rises lower on one side, get it looked at immediately by a Sacramento trailer repair service.
Prevention Tips
- Don’t overload regularly
- Check ride height for unevenness
- Replace springs in pairs if required
- Look for cracks or rust in the springs
- Lubricate bushings every few months
Rust And Corrosion
Corrosion destroys trailer suspension systems more than any other factor. Moisture, road salt, and grime eat away at bolts, brackets, and other critical parts. What may look like surface rust might be something that can end in disaster.
If you leave it unchecked for long, rust can break hangers or fail mounting points. If your trailer is kept outdoors or sees a lot of winter roads, it’s on rust’s hit list. Remember, corrosion is sneaky, so ensure to check the parts before they become problematic.
Prevention Tips
- Use anti-rust spray annually
- Check joints and hardware often
- Store the trailer on pavement, not on grass
- Wash the underside after wet or salty drives
Overloading The Trailer
Ever thought, “It might handle just one more pallet?” Well, that one more might be the last straw. One of the most common reasons for trailer suspension failure is overloading the trailer. When you exceed the weight of the trailer, it creates pressure on axles, springs, and shocks, which leads to premature wear or even complete failure.
An overladen trailer is also hard to control, which may overstress other components and reduce braking efficiency. Remember, repeated overloading can do as much harm as one major mistake.
Prevention Tips
- Distribute cargo evenly
- Know your trailer’s GVWR
- Consider using a trailer scale
- Book a spring check occasionally
- Check tire pressure before loading
- Avoid stacking heavy loads over axles
Misaligned Axles
When axles aren’t aligned properly, your trailer may start drifting slightly, or one tire might wear faster than the other. When the axles are misaligned, they stress components unevenly. This makes one side work harder than the other.
It often happens when the trailer hits bumps and potholes on the road. If you keep ignoring it, you’ll be on the fast track to worn suspension and bald tires. Not a good combo!
Prevention Tips
- Avoid hard curb hits
- Watch for uneven tire wear
- Use a level to check the trailer stance
- Get alignment checked after long trips
Faulty Shock Absorbers
If your trailer is bouncing, stay alert! It’s not a feature. In addition to making your ride smoother, shocks also protect the entire suspension system. When they start to fail, the trailer bounces excessively, and the suspension components take more impact than needed.
If not addressed immediately, this can harm the leaf springs and hangers. Plus, faulty shocks also make the trailer hard to control, which increases the risk of accidents. Additionally, keep a check on fluid leaks around the shocks. If you see any – it’s time to get in touch with a professional!
Prevention Tips
- Check for oil leakage near shocks
- Replace shocks every 50,000 miles
- Pay attention to excessive bouncing
- Ask Sacramento trailer repair shops for heavy-duty options
Loose Or Damaged U-Bolts
U-bolts might look small, but they hold the suspension together. If they loosen up or get stretched, the springs and axle can shift, which may cause rattling noises, vibration, and eventual breakdown. Damaged U-bolts often go unnoticed until they snap under load.
If your trailer makes strange noises or pulls slightly to one side, those bolts might be the problem. So, ensure to get your torque checked periodically, especially after a long trip.
Prevention Tips
- Listen for odd creaks while driving
- Avoid rough terrain when fully loaded
- Replace rusty or bent ones immediately
- Retorque U-bolts every few thousand miles
Neglected Maintenance
Do you even remember when your last suspension check was? Most suspension issues happen because routine maintenance gets skipped. It’s easy to overlook small signs like unusual noises or slight handling changes. But do you think these issues often point to bigger issues brewing underneath?
Components, such as springs, shocks, hangers, and bolts, all wear out after a certain period. Hence, it is advised to keep an eye on them. If not checked, one weak part can strain the rest. If you don’t know what’s causing the problem, get in touch with a reliable trailer repair service in Sacramento.
Prevention Tips
- Keep a log of maintenance
- Schedule seasonal inspections
- Don’t ignore small warning signs
- Clean and lubricate moving parts
- Inspect the suspension before long drives
How Do You Know If Your Trailer Suspension Is Failing?
Wondering if your trailer suspension is on its last leg? Suspension issues can arise, especially if you don’t pay much attention to them. While some signs are obvious, others are more subtle – but just as important.
Here are seven red flags that might signal your trailer suspension is failing –
- The trailer sways excessively when turning or braking
- The trailer pulls to one side, even when towed straight
- Grease or fluid is leaking near suspension components
- You spot uneven ride height, or one side sits visibly lower
- You hear a metallic clunking or banging sound over bumps
- Tires bounce off the road surface instead of staying grounded
- Your trailer usually feels stiff or bone-jarring over rough terrain
If you notice one or more of these signs, book an inspection with a Sacramento trailer repair specialist and get the damage fixed! They get to the root of the cause and repair it so that you can drive without worrying.
Takeaway
Trailer suspension might not always be on your mind, but it is important to understand the warning signs and their causes. Doing this helps you keep your trailer rolling safely and smoothly.
Treat it like the critical component that it is. Also, if you feel something’s off, reach out to a trailer repair service in Sacramento. They’ll understand the cause of the issue and help you with the right solution.
Need Help With Trailer Or RV Repair In Sacramento? Call McColloch’s RV Repair And Storage Now!
McColloch’s RV Repair and Storage has been serving Sacramento for 30 years with seal roofing, floor repair, brake service, battery replacement, and more. We are locally owned and understand our community, and that’s why we are trusted in the region.
We have got you covered, and we help you with everything – minor repair, major replacement, or installation. We even help you with trailer suspension failure and make sure it is working fine and efficiently.
Call us today at 916-655-0380 and schedule an appointment!
