Trailer Walkthrough Video: Top Components You Should Know About

Dallas Branch Manager, Premier Trailer Leasing | LinkedIn

You might think that trailers are the simplest part of your fleet. They’re just a box on wheels, right? Well, while that's true, it can be a little more complicated than that.

Dry vans are fully enclosed trailers, often referred to as boxes, that are one of the most high-demand freight options due to their versatility. Because they are enclosed, non-perishable goods can easily be transported regardless of weather and protected from theft. Unlike refrigerated vans, dry vans do not have climate control, so they should be used to transport goods that are not temperature sensitive. Their lower average rate cost also makes them a more affordable option.

If you are in charge of managing a fleet of dry vans, it's important to understand how a dry van trailer is built. Anything that compromises the integrity of the trailer could cause the box to collapse or one item coming off the trailer on the highway could cause a safety issue. So, it's essential you’re familiar with your trailers, and, of course, the maintenance that's required for them.

Join Michael on a Dry Van Walkthrough!

Although a trailer may seem quite simple, many complex design features are necessary to transport cargo safely and efficiently. A tractor, air, and power are the key components needed to make any trailer fully functional.

The performance and operation of refrigerated dry vans relies on best maintenance practices and a disciplined schedule of periodic and corrective maintenance. The refrigeration unit, practically speaking, is all contained in one cabinet. It is powered by a diesel engine, running on diesel fuel drawn from a tank mounted beneath the trailer. Over time, reefers are subject to vibration, weather, temperature, and several external forces that could compromise their integrity in some way.

Let's first cover some of the most important items you will find on the front of the trailer. These parts include:

Lastly, our trailers here at Premier are equipped with a small solar panel that provides a trickle charge to the trailer's tracking device. You can track where your trailer is at all times on our website.

All of these items on the front of the trailer are covered in our pre-trip inspection.

Moving on to the sides of the trailer, you can find a number of panels, rivets, and bolts. Usually, a visual inspection is good enough to see if there are any cuts, holes, or other damage on the trailer that you need to be aware of before your trip. Some trailers are equipped with side skirts, which make the trailer more aerodynamic and fuel-efficient. Depending on your local regulations, side skirts may be required.

As you look down each side of the trailer, you'll notice red and white reflective tape used to make the trailer more visible at night. In addition, there are mid-signal lights so that other drivers are aware of when the trailer is turning.

Lastly, you can find the anti-lock braking system (ABS) light. If the ABS light comes on after the initial startup, during your trip, there's likely an issue that requires your attention.

At the back of the trailer, you can find composite trailer doors. When closing doors, it's important to ensure a watertight seal as trailers travel through all kinds of different road conditions. Commonly used door types are roll-up and swing doors. An advantage of roll-up doors is that they can be easily opened from a warehouse's dock. However, you lose 2-3 inches of height at the top, so the best door type will vary depending on the application.

Finally, there's a ride guard in the rear which is added so that cars do not slide underneath the trailer in an accident.

Now, let's take a look underneath the trailer. Components to look for include:

The first thing you'll notice inside the trailer is the threshold plate. This metal plate prevents damage to the wood floor from the warehouse's dock plate. Going down each side of the trailer, scuff liners protect the side walls while the trailer is being loaded and unloaded. Metal lining along the walls, referred to as logistics posts, helps secure cargo inside the trailer by providing a place to tie ropes, cords, or straps.

At the front of the trailer, you can find the cargo sensor. The benefit of the cargo sensor is that you can log into the Premier Trailer Leasing portal and check to see if your trailer is loaded without even leaving your office or going out to your yard.

Like any other vehicle, regular trailer maintenance is required to help keep your fleet operational and your drivers safe. Accurate maintenance records ensure preventative measures are taken before they become a larger problem.

Starting at the front of our trailers, keep an eye out for a decal at the top right corner that displays letters and numbers. Often referred to as VIN (vehicle identification number) information, these codes serve as a unique identifier for each individual trailer. VIN and license plate information can be found online to pull registrations, current renewals, or annual inspection information on the Premier Trailer Leasing website.

In addition to the VIN decal, a VIN plate is included, as well as an up-to-date annual inspection verification sticker. Just as with any other personal or commercial vehicle, annual inspections are required for all of our trailers.

Above the annual inspection sticker, you can find a small box which we call a registration bubble. Registration bubbles are used to hold important documents such as the registration, current renewal, annual inspection information, or other items that the driver may need during their trip (e.g., manifest information). If you don't see one of these at the front of your trailer, it may be located on the side of the landing lights.

Of course, we can't forget to mention that tires are a critical component of every trailer.2 It's important to select the best tires for your trailer because they are the most expensive trailer maintenance item.

A responsible driver must regularly check the condition of all tires, maintaining at least the 2/32nd required legal tread depth. Tires should be adjacent, within 4/32nd, and properly inflated with an intact valve stem. Lastly, lug nuts should be properly bolted, lubricant-filled, and with no obvious signs of leaking.

As you can see, trailers are much more than boxes and require consistent maintenance to ensure they continue to perform for you and your company. If you have any questions about semi-trailers, please reach out to a member of our team or visit our website to learn more about the trailer options we offer. We're happy to help keep your freight moving!

Mike Schmidt is branch manager for Premier Trailer Leasing's Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. His 12 years of sales experience includes branch operations, territory sales management, automotive leasing, account management and branch equipment sales. Connect with him on LinkedIn.

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