MAINTENANCE
Thank you for the purchase of your trailer. Your trailer has been manufactured to a high specification level and will provide you with a quality asset to work from.
However, like anything, to maximise the life of your trailer it needs to be well maintained and cared for, otherwise the environment and elements it is exposed to will influence its life.
Please read this document in conjunction with your warranty and do not hesitate to contact us should you have any queries at any time.
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Maintenance and Care for your Fortress Trailer – Hydraulic Brakes
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Maintenance and Care for your Fortress Trailer – Electric Brakes
TRAILERS WITH ELECTRIC BRAKES
RECOMMENDED MONTHLY CHECKS
Couplings – check the hitch is working freely and the handbrake activates correctly
Spare Tyre and Bracing Bracket – ensure the spare tyre is fully inflated and that it is firmly mounted to the trailer with the bracing bracket. (Tyre should be inflated to 45psi)
Tyre Pressures – check all tyres are correctly inflated to 45psi
Wheel Nuts – check all wheel nuts are tight
Corrosion Prevention – check for any signs of corrosion and if caused by paint chips or scratches apply touch up paint to stop exposure to the environment. Regularly apply Corrosion Prevention Spray to areas including the door hinges, hitch, and jockey wheel. (See instructions under General Care)
SERVICE REQUIREMENTS
Electric Brakes – complete an initial 3-month inspection and adjustment and then complete this annually
Jockey Wheel – re-grease Jockey Wheel via grease nipple. Also check the condition of the wheel rubber and operation of the catch/locking mechanism.
Spray regularly with Corrosion Preventative Spray
Tyre Pressures – check all tyres ensuring they are inflated to 45psi
Wheel Bearings – check wheel bearings for smooth operation. If found to be rough either have the wheel bearings replaced or re-greased in all 4 wheels
Spring Bolts – re-grease through the grease nipples
Brake Pads – check brake pads and replace as required
Lights – check all lights are functioning correctly
GENERAL CARE
Regular Exterior Cleaning – use a mild detergent to wash down the exterior of your trailer on a regular basis (minimum fortnightly) as this will assist in minimising the build-up of dirt, grime and moisture which may have a negative impact on the exterior surfaces over time
Locks and Opening Handles – regularly spray a silicon type protectant on locks and handles to protect them and ensure smooth operation
Be aware of your Environment – if you live, work, or regularly travel to/through dusty or sea spray environments your trailer needs to be washed down weekly to avoid any effects from these environments on the surface and componentry of the trailer
Regular Internal Cleaning – regularly clean out compartments of dirt, grime, and moisture to avoid impacts on the interior surfaces
Transporting Liquids – any liquids should be contained in a plastic bin within any trailer compartment, so any spillage is contained and does not impact on the surface of the trailer.
Stone Chips and Paintwork Care – stones, road materials and equipment will over time cause chips to both the exterior and internal paintwork. It is recommended that a regular check (minimum 3 monthly) for chips and scratches in paintwork is completed and these chips are firstly covered with a zinc base primer and then touched up with touch up paint. Omitting to maintain the paintwork of your trailer will see it deteriorate over time.
Reducing any impacts of corrosion – your trailer has a hot dip galvanised chassis and frame with the body being manufactured from zinc anneal steel. These protections are designed to prevent the risk of corrosion. To avoid and minimise any corrosion occurring any damage to any surface of the trailer that breaks down the protection needs to be repaired immediately.
Paint chips and scratches require to be touched up as detailed above
A Corrosion Prevention Spray is recommended to be applied 3 monthly to the hinges of the doors allowing the spray to penetrate down either side of the hinge rubber to protect the rivets and rivet holes attaching the door to the main body, The hinge should also be sprayed by opening the doors and applying the Corrosion Prevention Spray.
The Corrosion Prevention Spray can also be supplied to areas that tend to show signs of corrosion (i.e Hitch and Jockey Wheel)
The recommended product is Wurth’s Corrosion Prevention Spray
Doors and Drawers – ensure all doors are closed evenly from the centre rather than either end to ensure these are not twisted in any way.
Drawers need to be slid in and out of the trailer in a controlled manner and not pushed with force until they hit the end of the drawer cavity – doing so will damage the runners over time. Heavier weight items should be at the front (closest to the trailer) end within the drawers.
Overloading – to maintain the integrity of your trailer and ensure a safe travelling load do not overload the trailer to a weight exceeding the specification of the model you have.
Trailer Model |
Payload Maximum Weight |
Fortress Extreme |
1250kg |
Pro Trade Series TP75 |
900kg |
Pro Trade Series TP85 |
1450kg |
Pro Trade Series TP96 |
1600kg |
TRAILERS WITH HYDRAULIC BRAKES
RECOMMENDED MONTHLY CHECKS
Couplings & Brake Cylinder – check the hitch is working freely and there is sufficient brake fluid to the correct level in the master cylinder. Pumping the hand brake, a couple of times to ensure this is firm indicates the brakes are being activated correctly.
Should you require to top up the brake fluid it is recommended that DOT 4 is used.
Spare Tyre and Bracing Bracket – ensure the spare tyre is fully inflated and that it is firmly mounted to the trailer with the bracing bracket. (Tyre should be inflated to 45psi)
Tyre Pressures – check all tyres are correctly inflated to 45psi
Wheel Nuts – check all wheel nuts are tight
Disc Rotors – visually check for any excessive wear on disc rotors
Corrosion Prevention – check for any signs of corrosion and if caused by paint chips or scratches apply touch up paint to stop exposure to the environment. Regularly apply Corrosion Prevention Spray to areas including the door hinges, hitch, and jockey wheel. (See instructions under General Care)
ANNUAL SERVICE
Coupling – re-grease via grease nipple
Jockey Wheel – re-grease Jockey Wheel via grease nipple. Also check the condition of the wheel rubber and operation of the catch/locking mechanism
Master Cylinder – check there is sufficient brake fluid in the master cylinder and when the hand brake is pumped a couple of times the hand brake should go firm. If the hand brake remains soft there is potentially air in the brakes lines and the brakes will need to be bled to release this.
Tyre Pressures – check all tyres ensuring they are inflated to 45psi
Wheel Bearings – check wheel bearings for smooth operation. If found to be rough either have the wheel bearings replaced or re-greased in all 4 wheels
Spring Bolts – re-grease through the grease nipples
Brake Calliper Bolts – check all bolts are tight (recommended 26 – 32 N.m)
Brake Pads – check brake pads and replace as required
Lights – check all lights are functioning correctly
GENERAL CARE
Regular Exterior Cleaning – use a mild detergent to wash down the exterior of your trailer on a regular basis (minimum fortnightly) as this will assist in minimising the build-up of dirt, grime and moisture which may have a negative impact on the exterior surfaces over time
Locks and Opening Handles – regularly spray a silicon type protectant on locks and handles to protect them and ensure smooth operation
Be aware of your Environment – if you live, work, or regularly travel to/through dusty or sea spray environments your trailer needs to be washed down weekly to avoid any effects from these environments on the surface and componentry of the trailer
Regular Internal Cleaning – regularly clean out compartments of dirt, grime, and moisture to avoid impacts on the interior surfacesTransporting Liquids – any liquids should be contained in a plastic bin within any trailer compartment, so any spillage is contained and does not impact on the surface of the trailer.
Stone Chips and Paintwork Care – stones, road materials and equipment will over time cause chips to both the exterior and internal paintwork. It is recommended that a regular check (minimum 3 monthly) for chips and scratches in paintwork is completed and these chips are firstly covered with a zinc base primer and then touched up with touch up paint. Omitting to maintain the paintwork of your trailer will see it deteriorate over time.
Reducing any impacts of corrosion – your trailer has a hot dip galvanised chassis and frame with the body being manufactured from zinc anneal steel. These protections are designed to prevent the risk of corrosion. To avoid and minimise any corrosion occurring any damage to any surface of the trailer that breaks down the protection needs to be repaired immediately.
Paint chips and scratches require to be touched up as detailed above
A Corrosion Prevention Spray is recommended to be applied 6 monthly to the hinges of the doors allowing the spray to penetrate down either side of the hinge rubber to protect the rivets and rivet holes attaching the door to the main body, The hinge should also be sprayed by opening the doors and applying the Corrosion Prevention Spray.
The Corrosion Prevention Spray can also be supplied to areas that tend to show signs of corrosion (i.e Hitch and Jockey Wheel)
The recommended product is Wurth’s Corrosion Prevention Spray
Doors and Drawers – ensure all doors are closed evenly from the centre rather than either end to ensure these are not twisted in any way.
Drawers need to be slid in and out of the trailer in a controlled manner and not pushed with force until they hit the end of the drawer cavity – doing so will damage the runners over time. Heavier weight items should be at the front (closest to the trailer) end within the drawers.
Overloading – to maintain the integrity of your trailer and ensure a safe travelling load do not overload the trailer to a weight exceeding the specification of the model you have.
Trailer Model |
Payload Maximum Weight |
Fortress Extreme |
1250kg |
Pro Trade Series TP75 |
900kg |
Pro Trade Series TP85 |
1450kg |
Pro Trade Series TP96 |
1600kg |
Taking regular care and performing the required maintenance on your trailer will ensure its functionality, appearance and value to your business is maintained.
If at any time you require advice on the maintenance, care and/or performance of your trailer please contact Fortress Trailers Limited immediately.
SERVICE PROVIDERS
Auckland – Within the greater Auckland area we recommend GO 2 TRAILERS for all your trailer servicing requirements. They will come to you.
Email: info@go2trailers.co.nz
Phone (09) 3942245
Mobile (021) 1144586
Other Regions – utilise your local service provider. Please contact Fortress Trailers Limited if you require assistance in identifying an appropriate service provider.