Knowing when you can throw together a quick fix to get your trailer home, and understanding the difference between that temporary hold-together trickery… or something more deliberate with safety in mind.
Tyre Blowouts: Get Home Safely
Spare fix: Install your spare and runoff well below speed. A pair of handy solutions such as emergency tyre sealant will also temporarily plug small punctures.
Correct Solution: Replace damaged tyres immediately and check to see if the heat affected wheel bearings. Emergency sealants are never a long-term fix.
Lighting Failures: Stay Legal
Fast solution: Bring extra light bulbs as well as simple tools. Until a replacement lens is available, cover the cracked lenses with temporary tape to keep out water.
Correct solution: Replace damaged light housings with complete units. Ensure that all wiring connections are checked and upgraded to LED units as these should be highly reliable. For Trailer Parts, visit https://autoandtrailer.com/shop/trailer-parts
Brake Problems: Don’t Compromise Safety
Simple Solution: With electric brakes out, off-load and run the vehicle slowly with only its own service brake. Never attempt roadside brake repairs.
Correct Solution: Have brakes inspected, and repaired professionally before using again. If you are experiencing brake failures, then that means there is some underlying problem which might be serious enough to warrant an expert.
Coupling Issues: Critical Safety Component
Quick Fix: Additional chains for a loose coupling – but not to be used in place of immediate attention from pros.
Corrective Action: Change badly worn couplings promptly. This crucial safety component should never be treated as a temporary fix.
Bearing Failures: Stop Immediately.
Quick Fix: None – running failed bearings destroys axles and creates dangerous conditions.
Correct Solution: Get a pro to your location and replace the bearing entirely!
Now, remember: band-aid fixes get you home safely; proper repairs keep you safe for the life of your vehicle. Do not ever use temporary solutions for safety.
