Tips to get your trailer through the winter safely and in good condition

Although it was a long time coming, winter has arrived and has brought with it challenging weather conditions on the roads of Europe.

This presents particular challenges for freight transport. It is not only necessary to prepare the tractor unit for winter, but the trailer too. The experts at Kögel Trailer GmbH have compiled the most important tips for forwarding companies, logistics companies and drivers, so that they can venture out onto wintery roads with confidence.

Tips for tyres and bogie

– Carefully check your winter tyres. Especially in regions with harsh weather conditions, all tyres should be winter-ready and have sufficient tread. The minimum legal requirement is 1.6 mm, but it is recommended to have a tread depth of at least 4 mm. In Germany, France, Sweden and Finland, winter tyres must bear the Alpine symbol, a pictogram of a mountain with a snowflake. M+S tyres may no longer be used.
– Adjust the air pressure: The air pressure can change in cold temperatures. This can negatively affect safe handling. It should therefore be regularly checked and adjusted to the recommended level. Tyre pressure monitoring systems that monitor the tyre pressure in real time can help you to do this.
– Check the brake system: The brakes must be fully functional. Brake lines, brake discs and brake linings should be checked for wear and damage, as slippery or poor road surfaces can cause increased wear.
– Check the shock absorbers and suspension: Properly functioning shock absorbers are important, as snow and ice can cause bumpy road conditions.

Tips for lighting and electrics

– Check all the lighting equipment: All lights, including rear lights, indicators and brake lights, must be functional and must not be covered by snow or ice. Side marker lights provide increased visibility in snowy and foggy areas. Additionally, reflectors on the trailer and contour markings on the rear doors ensure that the vehicle is more clearly visible to other road users.
– Also periodically check the electrics: Cables and plug connections can become damaged due to moisture and cold. Before winter begins, they should be checked, insulated and sealed against water to prevent short circuits and corrosion.

Tips for the loading platform and body

– Check that the roof and tarpaulins are secured against snow and ice: the roof of the trailer should be stable and in good condition to bear the weight of snow and ice. Tarpaulin covers must be kept taut and sealed to prevent ingress of water. Any leaks should be sealed using tarpaulin patches.

– Remove snow and ice build-up: Before departure, it is mandatory to remove all snow and ice layers from the roof and tarpaulin to prevent the risk of falling ice. This includes clearing the roof in the winter. This can be done conveniently using roof de-icing systems, or manually. A large number of service stations offer de-icing scaffolds that allow drivers to clear their vehicles of snow and ice – these service stations can be found using the app Truck-Stops.com. This prevents snow or ice from falling onto other vehicles and causing accidents. Apps like the Fahrer-App from the Huss-Verlag (fahrer-app.de) show service stations that have deicing stations for the removal of snow and ice.

– Service the doors and locks: Doors and hinges should be serviced and greased if necessary, as they can become stiff in the cold. Water-repellent lubricants help protect against freezing.

Kögel’s own trailer workshop in Burtenbach offers a winter check for trailers, including all the necessary checks and corresponding repairs or replacements. The workshops in the Kögel workshop network are also optimally equipped for this service. The safety of all road users is their top priority. The thorough inspection and optimisation of your trailer plays a significant role in this. Of course, authorised KÖGEL workshops also offer all the necessary legal checks in accordance with the general inspection (HU), safety assessment (SP) and accident prevention regulations (UVV).