Trailer Maintenance (Hitches, Wiring & Tires) Services

Similar to your vehicle, trailers go through a great deal of wear and tear and can break down quickly if not given routine maintenance. Trailers are used to haul large loads and are not often given the same care and attention as a vehicle, causing them to fail faster. You may be surprised that there are trailer maintenance services in Dyersville, IA available to you. 

Deutmeyer Auto Advantage is proud to provide maintenance for your trailer hitches, wires, and tires to ensure your trailer lasts a long time. Our qualified technicians can assist with the electrical work in your trailer and maintain your tires to prolong their life and ensure a smoother ride. Contact us today to schedule your trailer maintenance services. 

 

Signs You Need Trailer Services

When using your trailer, there are a few signs that will indicate if your trailer needs to be serviced or repaired, including: 

  • Your trailer is bumpier than usual. 
  • Your trailer is making banging or clicking noises, signaling something may be loose or broken. 
  • You are having trouble maneuvering your trailer when making turns or backing up. 
  • You notice cracks in the structure of your trailer. 
  • Your brake lights are out. 

When driving with a trailer, the ride may automatically feel a little less stable than usual; however, be aware of anything odd that makes your trailer hard to drive with; this is likely a sign that it needs maintenance. 

 

Common Trailer Maintenance Services

Thankfully, trailers do not have an engine or run on their own, meaning there are a few less serviceable parts. However, you should still service the following part of your trailer on a regular basis: 

  • Hitches: If your hitch is broken, rusting, or cracked, it should be replaced or fixed right away, as this can be dangerous for driving should it detach completely. 
  • Brakes: Similar to your car, your trailer will eventually lack the ability to stop itself as quickly as it should. If you notice your trailer is applying too much pressure to your vehicle to stop or is stopping too slowly, bring it in for service. (If applicable)
  • Lights: The brake lights on your trailer are incredibly important for your safety and that of others on the road. With a large trailer behind your car, it can be difficult to tell if you are braking since the brake lights are hidden. Replace lights that have broken or gone out and check before every trip. 
  • Tires: The tread and alignment of your trailer are also key to a smooth ride. Be aware of any issues and bring it in for regular alignments and check-ups so we can ensure they are wearing evenly. 

We know trailers and are one of few auto repair shops to provide this service because we understand its importance.

 

Picking the Right Hitch

Not every hitch fits every car. However, most vehicles, even small sedans and compacts, can take a hitch. What makes the most significant difference in towing involves how much weight can be towed. Clearly, small cars and compacts can only pull a small utility wagon in terms of weight—maybe close to 2,000 lbs at best. On the other hand, standard pickup trucks can haul a lot more, easily up to 5,000 lbs. However, once things get above that range, both the hitch and engine tow package need to be prepared to handle the load.

There are two kinds of weights in towing: the hitch torque weight and the overall towing. Both matter because, if not prepared properly, the hitch connection can fail. The hitch weight is handled by the hitch, the ball which extends from the hitch, and the load connection, which locks onto the ball. A good amount of pressure works on the hitch, so it needs to be strong enough to pull and resist as the vehicle pulls forward and then brakes, slowing the load behind the moving car as well. With big loads, this is helped by brakes on the wagon or chassis of the load as well, in addition to the vehicle’s own braking power. 

Understanding all of these aspects, our technicians at Deutmeyer Auto Advantage can help consumers pick the correct hitch for their vehicle as well as educate them on what the limitations are. So when you need services for your trailer hitches, wiring, and tires in Dyersville, IA, you know who to call.

 

Installing Hitches

Hooking up a trailing hitch to your vehicle involves a few more steps beyond just bolting on the hitch to the rear undercarriage. First and foremost, there is the reinforcement of the physical connection. Likewise, the engine may need a towing package added to it to avoid damaging burnout. Plus, the electrical wiring needs to be handled accurately so that whatever is being towed has appropriate turn signals and braking signals for those traveling behind what is being pulled. That’s why you need an experienced and trustworthy auto shop for your trailer hitches, wiring, and tires in Dyersville, IA.

Here at Deutmeyer Auto Advantage, we can take care of the entire installation, make sure everything with your hitch is installed correctly, and that the hitch wiring is appropriately connected and not draining your battery.

 

Hitch Wiring for Trailer Connections

If the electrical wiring is installed incorrectly, it can create many problems. First, the connection will possibly cause a persistent drain on the vehicle battery, which in turn causes issues with operation and starting. Additionally, lousy wiring will fail to maintain a proper connection. This means that when the trailer is attached, its signals may not work correctly—which could easily lead to an accident.

Making sure the electrical wiring is working is a top priority when our Deutmeyer Auto Advantage technicians install a hitch. Connection assurance also includes using the correct connection hardware, ensuring no exposed parts would cause an intermittent short, and that the wiring can handle the transfer of currents to the connected trailer when in operation.

 

Road Traction Matters

Remember, tires are a small but critical contact point between the vehicle (and its trailer) and the road. With a towing load, tires matter even more. If a car doesn’t have the right tires when installing a hitch, our technicians can point this out and provide recommendations on which tires would work better. The same goes for tire tread checks and maintenance. 

We go through all of the necessary safety checks and ensure the towing package will work as expected. Loss of tire traction can result in the towing vehicle losing control or misdirecting the trailer. Accordingly, you need trailer hitches, wiring, and tires in Dyersville, IA, that you can trust.

 

Towing Packages for Engine Protection

Not every vehicle engine is automatically prepared for towing a load. As mentioned earlier, manufacturers regularly warn about the limitations of load towing, including with a hitch. Going beyond these amounts in weight towed puts the vehicle at risk. 

A towing package upgrade on the engine helps it handle the torque demand and load pulling and towing. This can boost the towing capacity once installed correctly. At Deutmeyer Auto Advantage, we can help customers modify their vehicles to do the work correctly. Don’t try to install things alone. Our technicians have the training and tools to connect everything correctly with reliable results.

 

Reliable Trailer Maintenance Services in Dyersville, IA

Maintaining your trailer regularly will keep it running smoothly, extend its life, and save you money on repairs and replacements. Towing hitches need to be installed correctly for the best results and to avoid severe damage to a towing vehicle. Because we regularly work with accessories and working tools on cars, both regular and off-road, our team is well-suited for hitch installations of all kinds.

We know how important it is to keep your trailer and hitches in good condition; that’s why we provide a wide range of services. 

For trailer maintenance in Dyersville, IA, call 563-447-8447. You can trust Deutmeyer Auto Advantage to take good care of your trailer.

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