6 Problems with Prolite Trailers (Explained for Beginners)
One of the most frustrating things for a trailer owner is when their Prolite trailer starts having problems. Many people don’t realize that their Prolite trailer is a complex machine, and there are several problems they may encounter. This article will list the most common issues with Prolite trailers and give some tips on fixing them.
A Prolite trailer consists of three main components: the trailer itself, the hitch, and the brakes. You should note that these three components will require different repairs if they’re experiencing problems.
1. Bent Tongue or Receivers
Your first indication of a problem with your trailer is when it starts to ‘wobble.’ You can resolve this by simply placing a jack underneath the front receiver and raising it back up into place. The problem will usually not be that severe, and it only takes a few minutes.
The other problem is when the tongue or receiver bends downward until they can no longer fit into each other. It can happen when people put too much weight on the front of their trailers. If your trailer has this problem, you need to replace both the receiver and the tongue. The process of doing this is relatively easy and can be done by anyone.
2. Damaged or Broken Tandem Spring
The tandem spring is the spring that provides a horizontal force on the tongue and receiver. The problem is usually apparent when people see that a large chunk has been cut out of the tongue.
You will probably notice that your trailer doesn’t have as much lifting force as before when this happens. You can resolve this by simply replacing your tandem spring with another one from your local automotive store.
However, if you feel like this is too big of an inconvenience for you, there are other options. You can cut the tongue and receiver out of the spring using a saw and a pair of pliers.
3. Damaged Brake Hoses
If your trailer’s brake lines have been damaged by water, corrosion, or something else, you will notice that your camper will have trouble with braking. This problem occurs when the brake fluids take longer to get through to the caliper. You can resolve this by replacing the fuse between the master cylinder and the brake lines.
Brakes are the most complex part of your trailer. A lot of things can go wrong with them. Fortunately, 90% of problems require you to replace a specific part. The other 10% will need you to replace the whole system. Both are not that expensive and are a good investment for anyone who will use their trailer often.
4. Damaged Brake Shoes
If your brake shoes have holes in them or if screws or nails have punctured them, you may have a problem. If you have a damaged brake shoe problem, you will notice that your trailer is not slowing down as usual.
There are many reasons why brake shoes can get damaged. Among these are rust, water, and corrosion. However, the most common is when people put too much weight behind their trailer without any straps. It makes the trailer weigh more in the front and causes it to pull harder against the attached tires.
If this happens, you can replace your brake shoes with another pair. However, if your trailer has had a lot of usages, is rusted or damaged due to corrosion, you need to fix the problem by replacing the brake shoes. The process is pretty simple and involves putting new pads with a gasket onto your old ones.
Generally, the most challenging part of doing this is finding an excellent way to hold them together while you’re pressurizing them. You can use the old shoes and pressure out all the air from them. Some people also recommend using a piece of plastic wrap or something similar on top of the set to keep it in.
5. Damaged or Broken Suspension Springs
If your trailer has a broken suspension spring, it will not lift when you apply force to the front of your trailer. It might also start to pull away from the tires if you use too much force. You can see that this is occurring by how the trailer keeps wobbling and bouncing when you pull forward.
The most common damage to the springs is when they have become flat. This happens when people hit a bump and make the trailer bounce way too much. The other common problem is when bolts suddenly fall into the spring and cause it to come apart.
You can resolve both of these problems by replacing the springs with new ones, provided that your spring has not been bent or broken due to impact damage.
That being said, if you have hit a large rock and bent your spring, you need to replace it with an identical new one. The process is simple, as all you need to do is put them back into their place and bend the ends up again.
6. Rusty or Corroded Trailer Parts
Over time, your trailer will corrode or rust. Some parts are more susceptible to rust than others, such as bolts. When this happens, the bolts will eventually fall off and make your trailer unusable. However, you have an easy solution for this.
If any bolts are rusting, you can easily replace them with new ones. You need to put the new bolts into their place and use a wrench to tighten them back up. Your trailer is no longer rusted when you do this.
Sometimes, however, corrosion will occur on some parts of your trailer. The most common is on the spring where screws are located, because the screws are constantly moving and creating friction with air and water. You can repair this by covering the rusty screws with epoxy and using a new screw to put them back into their place.
You can then bend them up and cut off any extra that might poke out on your trailer. The process is simple once you get it right, and it takes very little time.
The other place where corrosion will occur is underneath your trailer, mainly at the torsion bars. It happens when the water has gotten into the bolts that secure the bars to your frame. You can resolve this by replacing the corroded bolts with new ones.
Why Should You Care for Your Prolite Trailer?
Prolite trailers are some of the best trailers you can get in the market. They are relatively easy to use and maintain. They are also very affordable, and if you buy a new one, you can keep it for many years with proper maintenance.
If you have a problem with your trailer, the most important thing is always to be prepared and know what you’re doing. By making sure you have the right tools and parts, you can quickly fix your problems in no time.
Of course, you can always buy a repair kit or make one yourself with your parts. If you’re not entirely sure what you’re doing, it’s a good idea to ask a professional to help you out. They know the ins and outs of their jobs and can give great advice.
All in all, if you take care of your trailer, it will take good care of you. The same applies when it comes to any vehicle, for that matter.
Summing Up
The best thing you can do is always make sure that you’re on top of your maintenance. Simple things like checking your oil level and changing it will help your vehicle run like new. If you don’t, then problems with it will only get worse over time.
The same goes with the use of your trailer. Whether it’s the brakes or suspension springs, all of these require regular maintenance to keep them in excellent condition. Insufficient maintenance will result in you having to replace parts sooner than you would if you kept on top of it.