To assist in keeping your trailer on the road and rolling, the following troubleshooting guide has been prepared for your convenience. You can avoid serious delay and downtime in servicing your trailer if the cause of the trouble can be diagnosed and corrected quickly by you.
NOTE: Observe the day-to-day care recommendations. Watch for the symptoms described below and contact Palmer Leasing for any required service. Use only the recommended lubricants and parts conforming to the trailers manufacturer specifications.
Trailer Guide
| BRAKES | |
|---|---|
| Brakes Will Not Release | |
| Probable Cause | Remedy |
| Low air pressure | Check air line connections & verify sufficient air in tank |
| Brake shoes bound up at cams | Lubricate brake operating parts |
| Brake hoses restricted | Replace hoses |
| Brake out of adjustment | Adjust brakes |
| Damaged brake assembly | Bring trailer to Palmer Leasing for repair |
| No brakes or insuffencent brakes | |
| Probable Cause | Remedy |
| Source of air supply shut off at tractor | Push control valve IN |
| Low brake line pressure | Check air pressure gauge on tractor – Inoperative compressor |
| Brake lines between tractor and trailer not properly coupled | Properly couple brake lines |
| Reservoir drain cock open | Close drain cock |
| Slow brake application or release | |
| Probable Cause | Remedy |
| Lack of lubrication | Lubricate brake operating parts |
| Excessive travel in brake chamber | Adjust brakes |
| Restriction in hose or line | Replace brake hose or line |
| Defective brake valve | Replace brake valve |
| Brakes grabbing | |
| Probable Cause | Remedy |
| Foreign material on brake lining | Reline brakes |
| Brakes out of adjustment | Adjust brakes |
| Brake drum out-of-round | Replace brake drum |
| Damaged brake chamber or internal assembly | Bring trailer to Palmer Leasing for repair |
| Leaky or broken hose between relay valve and brake chamber | Replace or repair as required |
| Brakes dragging | |
| Probable Cause | Remedy |
| Out of adjustment | Adjust brakes |
| Binding cam, anchor pins or chamber rod end pin | Lubricate and free up |
| Damaged brake assembly or brake drum out-of-round | Replace |
| WHEELS, TIRES AND ALIGNMENT | |
| Issues with rims and axles | |
| Probable Cause | Remedy |
| Broken or cracked spring | Replace complete spring |
| Weak spring | Replace complete spring |
| Axle out of alignment | Align axles |
| Tracking to one side or excess | Align axles tire wear |
| Tire wobble due to uneven rim clamping | Torque tighten all rim clamps |
| Burnt, worn or damaged wheel bearings | Replace bearings |
| Bent wheel or rim | Replace wheel or rim |
| Bent axle | Replace or straighten axle |
| Leaking oil | Replace wheel seals |
| Tracking to one side | |
| Probable Cause | Remedy |
| Leaf spring broken | Replace complete spring |
| Bent axle | Replace or straighten axle |
| Axles out of alignment | Align axles |
| Loss of Tire Air Pressure | |
| Probable Cause | Remedy |
| Puncture in tire | Repair or replace tire |
| Faulty valve or valve core | Replace valve assembly or core |
| Uneven Tire Wear | |
| Probable Cause | Remedy |
| Over and under inflation | Inflate to proper pressure |
| Loose wheel stud nuts or clamps | Tighten wheel stud nuts or clamps |
| Loose or tight wheel bearing adjustment | Adjust bearings |
| Axle bent or out of alignment | Straighten, align, or replace axle |
| Tires not properly matched | Match tires |
| Improper brake actuation | Correct brakes as required |
| Rapid stopping | Apply brakes slowly when approaching stop |
| High speed driving on turns | Reduce speed |
| LANDING GEAR | |
| Won’t crank/Hard cranking | |
| Probable Cause | Remedy |
| Bent crank shaft | Straighten or replace shaft |
| Bent cross shaft | Replace shaft |
| Lack of lubricant or correct lubricant | Lubricate in accordance with lubrication chart |
| Gears or components damaged | Free up or replace |
| Jackscrew nut jammed | Replace inner leg assembly |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | |
| Probable Cause | Remedy |
| Circuit breaker kicks off | Correct short. Splice or repair wiring |
| Wires burned | Replace wiring |
| Contact points dirty or corroded | Remove lamp unit and clean |
| Loss of ground at bulb | Repair as necessary |
| Complete Loss of Trailer Lights | |
| Probable Cause | Remedy |
| Broken main harness | Repair or replace wire |
| Blown fuse or breaker | Replace fuse |
| Broken ground lead between tractor and trailer | Check, repair or replace jumper cable if equipped |
| Loose or corroded connection in ground lead between tractor and trailer | Repair or replace |
| Dim or Flighering Lights | |
| Probable Cause | Remedy |
| Battery on tractor not sufficiently charged | Charge battery |
| Damaged wire in jumper cable | Repair or replace wire |
| Dirty or corroded contact blades | Clean contact blades |
| Loose connection | Repair as necessary |
| Poor ground at socket | Repair as necessary |
| HYDRAULIC SYSTEM | |
| Cylinder Will Not Operate | |
| Probable Cause | Remedy |
| Insufficient oil level | Fill reservoir to proper level |
| Restriction of oil flow | Remove restriction |
| Pump is worn | Repair or replace pump |
| Hydraulic hose not connected | Connect a hose |
| Restricted control linkage | Check and repair linkage |
| Broken key or keyway in drive | Repair or replace key or keyway |
| Cylinder Will Not Hold | |
| Probable Cause | Remedy |
| Air in hydraulic system | Bleed system by making several cycles |
| Valve control level not in hold position | Check and repair linkage |
| Worn control valve | Replace or repair valve |
| Worn pump | Replace or repair pump |
| Noisy Pump | |
| Probable Cause | Remedy |
| Air in hydraulic system | Bleed system of air |
| Restriction of oil flow | Drain tank and remove restriction |
| Insufficient oil supply | Fill reservoir |
| PTO running at excessive RPM | Lower PTO RPM’s |
| Water in oil | Drain system and replace oil |
| Dirty or contaminated oil | Drain system and replace oil |
| Use of wrong viscosity or type oil | Drain. Replace with recommended oil |
| Worn or damaged pump | Replace pump |