Black drivers beware: Ignoring necessary trailer repairs can lead to disastrous consequences

Black drivers should never delay necessary trailer repairs, as doing so can lead to disastrous consequences due to damaged components that break down under high speeds, heavy loads, or both. They can cause total structural failure and runaway trailers, both of which can result in severe road accidents.

Too many road collisions already occur each year: six to seven million crashes reported to the police, as noted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Unless motorists repair trailer components that need fixing before they start towing, they could end up part of these statistics.

When Is It Worth Repairing a Trailer?

Fixing your trailer is worth it if the repair costs stay below 50% of the unit’s total value. Do the same if the damage or problem only affects standard parts and the main frame remains strong and structurally sound.

Some common and specific scenarios in which it’s worth it to partner with and pay a reputable truck and trailer repair shop for their services include:

Small patches of surface rust on the outside, which repair pros can sand off and paint over safely
Minor or routine trailer brake repair, involving part replacements (e.g., bearings, return springs, brake shoes, and electromagnets) to keep hauls safe without breaking the budget
Bad lights, including burned bulbs and broken wires that are quick and cheap to fix
Minor wood rot, which includes replacing floorboards (provided the underlying metal base remains solid and free of excessive corrosion)

Black drivers should mind the age of their trailer, too. A recent article from Yahoo! Autos notes that the average trailer or motorhome lasts around 10 to 20 years. Some specific types, like Airstream trailers, can last 20 to 30 years.

If yours hasn’t reached half of its expected lifespan yet, and you’ve been taking care to ensure it gets regular trailer service, get it fixed. Repairs are even more worth it if the unit breaks down for the first time or has only had a few minor faults.

What Are the Leading Causes Behind the Need for Trailer Repairs?

Lack of maintenance is behind almost six in ten (60%) of trailer breakdowns, as noted by this page exploring trailer repair service in Clearwater, FL. Without proper and regular maintenance, trailers become more susceptible to:

Tire wear and blowouts
Electrical malfunctions
Lighting problems
Brake system failures
Suspension and structural stress

All those problems require repairs immediately. Otherwise, the trailer will be unsafe to operate or even be inoperable. Truck and trailer repair shops can fix them, but more severe issues cost more.

How Can Ignoring Necessary Trailer Repairs Lead to Disastrous Consequences?

Commercial insurance broker Insurica cited data from an NHTSA study, which found over 400 people have died each year in incidents involving passenger vehicle-towed utility trailers. It also noted studies reveal over 20,000 people require medical attention each year due to these trailer-related accidents.

Ignoring necessary trailer repairs puts trailer owners or operators and the people they share the roads with at risk of the same hazards.

Parts that need fixing can break down and fail while the trailer is in operation, in the middle of the road. Combined with high speeds, heavy loads, or both, these events can lead to the following disastrous consequences.

Major Road Risks and Incidents

Worn-out suspensions or failed shocks can make the trailer bounce and sway, leading to loss of control. Excessive rusting, under heavy loads and high speeds, can also cause hitches to break. It can then cause the trailer to disconnect from the vehicle while it’s in operation.

Cracked or dry wheel bearings on trailers, meanwhile, can lock up and cause the wheels to fall off the unit. If this happens, your trailer and other vehicles are at risk of significant damage. Trailer wheel separation can also lead to loss of control.

All those incidents can result in catastrophic consequences, particularly road breakdowns and crashes that damage property and cause injuries.

Financial Consequences

Ignoring minor trailer repairs can lead to financial consequences because, at their earlier stages, wear, tear, and slight damage to trailers are still inexpensive to fix. The longer their repair gets delayed, the more the issue will progress and worsen, and the more expensive it will be to fix them.

If the ignored repair results in a road breakdown, the owner or operator will likely require costly roadside towing.

Media company FreightWaves.com noted in a recent article that the average tow-and-recovery invoice sits at $12,000. It even reported that truck-and-trailer incidents requiring towing and recovery can lead to six-figure events, with one documented case in Virginia resulting in a $200,000 invoice.

As for commercial trailers, getting stranded on the highway means being out of service, leading to lost loads and business and unhappy clients.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Road Incidents Involving Trailers Lead to Legal Liabilities?

Yes. Things can go from bad to worse if an ignored trailer repair results in a road breakdown that causes a massive accident. It can give rise to liability lawsuits if the incident causes significant property damage and injuries.

Accident victims can pursue the trailer owner or operator for compensation, resulting in massive legal fees and exponential increases in insurance rates. If the broken-down trailer causes a fatal crash, the owner or operator may even face charges for criminal negligence.

Are There Ways to Prevent or Minimize the Need for Costly Trailer Repairs?

Yes. Preventing or minimizing the need for expensive trailer repairs is possible through regular inspections and routine upkeep.

Conduct regular tire checks (inspecting the tread depth and filling tires with the correct pressure). Doing this every month can help reduce the risk of blowouts.

Grease parts, such as wheel bearings, every six to 12 months, too. Lubricating jacks, latches, and hinges can also stop premature rust and wear.

Regularly wash off road salt, dirt, and mud from your trailer’s frame and undercarriage. Test the electrical system, too, before every drive with your trailer in tow.

Get Necessary Trailer Repairs ASAP to Avoid Disasters

Black drivers should never ignore or delay necessary trailer repairs, because if they do, they’re putting not only their trailer, vehicle, and themselves at risk. They can also endanger the property and the lives of the other people they share the roads with.

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