Safe on the road with your trailer in winter
Winter is just around the corner; the days are getting shorter and colder. That makes it the perfect time to prepare your trailer for winter, so you can stay safe on the road with your trailer in winter conditions too.
We give you five practical tips to help you get through winter safely with your trailer.
Winter checklist
Check your trailer tyres
Check whether the lighting works properly
Check the battery of your tipper
Winter weather? Adapt your driving style
Clean the trailer regularly
Check your trailer tyres
The safety of your trailer largely depends on the condition of the tyres. Especially in winter, you need to be able to rely on optimal grip and road handling. That is why you should check the tyre pressure and tyre tread every week. Also inspect the tyres for irregular wear and any cracks in the sidewall.
All Hapert trailers are delivered with M+S tyres. These tyres offer more safety in snow and slippery conditions. This means you are prepared for every type of weather.
Are you unsure about the correct tyre pressure for your trailer, or how to measure the tread depth of a tyre?
Would you prefer personal advice about the condition of your tyres? Or are you wondering whether it is useful to change the tyres on your trailer? Visit your Hapert dealer.
Check whether the lighting works properly
Winter brings long, dark days. That is why it is very important to check the lighting of your trailer every time before you set off. You can carry out the check using the checklist below:
- Do the rear lights and brake lights of your trailer work?
- Are both rear indicators functioning properly?
- Is the number plate clearly illuminated?
- Does the marker lighting work?
Always take spare bulbs and a wiring diagram with you in case the lighting stops working on the road. Good lighting is an important part of being safe on the road with your trailer in winter.
Check the battery of your tipper
You also want to be able to use your tipper properly during winter. We therefore recommend checking the condition of the battery regularly and charging it daily to 12.7 volts, which equals 100% battery condition.
If you do not do this, the battery will inevitably sulphate. In other words, the battery plates harden because lead sulphate starts to attach itself to the plates. As a result, the tipping system of your trailer will no longer function.
PLEASE NOTE: it is very important that you use the correct battery charger for your type of trailer. You should also always charge the battery with a trickle charger, never with a fast charger.
For example, Hapert battery chargers are technically fully adjusted to all Cobalt tippers. These chargers guarantee maximum battery performance and service life. Just as important: you can fully rely on your tipper, even during the cold winter months.
Storing a trailer battery in winter
Are you removing the battery from your trailer during winter? Make sure you store it in a frost-free and moisture-free place. This is important to keep self-discharge to a minimum.
A battery will always discharge after a few months, which is why it is important to periodically check the condition of your trailer battery. At a battery voltage of 12.2 volts, which is at least 80% of its charging capacity, it must be charged further with a charger that has at least 10% of the battery capacity.
Example: a 90 Ah battery must be charged with a charger of at least 8A and no more than 10A to achieve the best result.
Winter weather? Adapt your driving style
Winter weather can create dangerous situations, including slippery roads caused by rain, snow and black ice. Road salt, poor visibility and darkness also bring extra risks.
That is why you should always adapt your speed to the weather conditions. Keep enough distance from the vehicle in front of you and keep looking as far ahead as possible.
Always take spare bulbs and a wiring diagram with you in case the lighting stops working on the road.
Adapting your driving style is essential if you want to stay safe on the road with your trailer in winter.
Clean the trailer regularly
When there is a risk of slippery roads, salt is spread preventively to keep roads safe. We recommend cleaning your trailer after it has come into contact with salt. Road salt can permanently affect the galvanised parts.
Especially on new trailers, where the zinc layer has not yet fully developed, white or black stains may appear. These stains do not have a negative effect on the protective function of the zinc layer.
Regular cleaning is therefore an important part of preparing your trailer for winter.