Trailer and equipment upkeep
12 tasks · Updated Nov 2, 2026 · From the Eavewell team
Trailers and machines tend to sit, then get used hard. Most breakdowns come from a handful of things: old tires, dry wheel bearings, bad wiring, and service skipped because nobody wrote down the hours.
Trailer tires
- Read the tire date codeThe last 4 numbers of the DOT code on the sidewall are the week and year it was made: 2324 is week 23 of 2024.
- Replace trailer tires around 6 years oldTrailer tires usually age out before the tread wears down, especially ones that sit in the sun.
- Check tire pressure before each tripTrailer tires take higher pressure than car tires. The number is on the sidewall.
- Torque the lug nutsCheck them after the first 50 miles on new wheels or tires, then regularly.
Trailer safety
- Grease or repack the wheel bearings once a yearA dry bearing overheats and can lock up a wheel on the highway.
- Test the lights and the wiring plugCorroded plugs are the usual reason trailer lights don't work.
- Check the brakes and the breakaway batteryIf the trailer comes loose, the breakaway switch uses that battery to stop it.
- Look over the safety chains, coupler and deckCracked welds, worn chains and soft deck boards get worse under load.
Machinery
- Write down the engine hours at each serviceMachines are serviced by hours, not miles. Without the last reading, there's no telling when the next service is due.
- Change the engine oil and filter on scheduleOften every 250 hours or once a year. Your operator's manual has the exact number.
- Grease every fittingPins and bushings on loaders and excavators wear fast without grease. Many need it daily or every 10 hours of use.
- Do a yearly walk-around inspectionFluids, hoses, tracks or tires, bucket and pins, lights and backup alarm, seat belt, and the fire extinguisher.
Keep track of it with Eavewell
Add your home and what’s in it, and Eavewell turns checklists like this one into reminders, by email or text, before each job is due. Free to start.
Start freeQuestions
How do I read the age of a tire?
Find the DOT code on the sidewall. The last 4 numbers are the week and year it was made: 1823 means week 18 of 2023.
How often should trailer wheel bearings be greased?
At least once a year, and more often for boat trailers that go in the water or trailers used for long trips.
Can Eavewell track engine hours?
Yes. Add a machine, enter its hours, and set reminders by hours or months, whichever comes first.