Cable Reel Trailer Maintenance Guide
- Roman Slabach
- Mar 19
- 2 min read
Regular trailer maintenance is essential to extend reel trailer lifespan, reduce costly repairs, and ensure safe, reliable performance. Key maintenance tasks, such as inspecting tires, lubricating moving parts, and checking hydraulic systems, help avoid breakdowns and unplanned downtime. For businesses that rely on cable reel trailers, keeping up with the manufacture maintenance intervals protects your investment, maximizes productivity, and keeps operations running smoothly.
Hydraulics
Over time, components like hoses, seals, cylinders, and pumps are exposed to high pressure, extreme temperatures, and environmental wear. Here are some tips to help keep your hydraulic system operating properly.
If your trailer has a hydraulic manual pump make sure the release valve has anti seize applied at all times. This will prevent the threads from seizing up which can lead to costly repairs & downtime.
Over time, hydraulic fluid can degrade due to contamination, temperature changes, and regular wear, leading to reduced system performance and increased risk of component failure. We recommend replacing the fluid annually.
Lube & Grease
Moving parts like axles, bearings, hydraulic components, and pivot points experience constant friction and stress. Without regular lubrication, these parts can wear out prematurely, seize up, or corrode, leading to costly repairs and operational downtime. Greasing reduces friction, prevents rust, and ensures smooth, efficient movement of critical components.
Inspecting Frame & Brakes
Frame: Small cracks or rust spots can be repaired inexpensively if caught early. Left unchecked, these small issues can spread, requiring extensive frame repairs or even full replacement, leading to significant downtime.
Brakes: Inspect brake pads, rotors, and drums for wear. Look for leaking brake fluid, frayed brake lines, and test the brake system for responsiveness. It might be time to replace or repair brakes if you notice any of the following:
Thickness is 3mm (1/8 inch) or less.
Uneven wear, cracks, or damage are visible.
You hear squealing, grinding, or screeching noises.
Brake performance feels weak, spongy, or inconsistent.
By regularly inspecting brake pads, you can catch wear issues early, prevent costly repairs, and ensure your reel trailer’s braking system remains safe and reliable.
Tires
Ensuring proper tread depth on your tires is crucial for safety while using a reel trailer. DOT regulations require tires to have at least 2/32 inches (1.6mm) of tread depth. Anything less can get you in trouble with DOT officials.
Observe tread patterns and make sure there isn't any usually wear.
Maintaining proper tire inflation on a trailer is critical for safety, performance, and cost savings. Under-inflated tires can cause excessive heat buildup, increasing the risk of blowouts and tread separation. Over-inflated tires reduce traction and create uneven wear, leading to premature tire replacement. Properly inflated tires distribute weight evenly, improving load stability, fuel efficiency, and overall handling. This is especially important for cable reel trailers, where heavy loads can put added stress on the tires. Regularly checking tire pressure ensures smoother rides, longer tire life, and fewer unexpected breakdowns.
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