In the trailer transportation system, the braking system serves as the core barrier ensuring driving safety.
Its reliability directly determines the vehicle's ability to cope with emergencies and the smooth completion of transportation tasks. Due to heavy workloads and complex operating conditions, trailer braking systems are susceptible to wear, heat fade, and aging pipelines. Therefore, standardized maintenance is necessary to ensure they are always in optimal condition, building a solid safety baseline for road transportation.
Daily inspections are the foundation of maintenance. Special attention should be paid to inspecting the surface condition of the brake drum (or brake disc), confirming the absence of cracks, grooves, or abnormal wear. The roundness and cylindricity deviation of the inner working surface of the brake drum must be controlled within the standard range to avoid brake vibration or uneven braking force caused by out-of-roundness. The thickness of the brake pads (or brake linings) should be measured regularly. When the remaining thickness approaches the manufacturer's minimum limit, they should be replaced immediately to prevent irreversible damage caused by the metal backing plate directly rubbing against the brake surface after the friction material is exhausted. The brake air (or hydraulic) system must be inspected for loose, aged, or leaking pipe joints. The air reservoir (or fuel tank) drain valve should be drained daily to remove accumulated water and oil to prevent moisture corrosion or ice blockage in winter. Brake caliper pistons must move smoothly, and dust covers must be intact to prevent mud and sand from causing piston jamming.
Brake performance testing is crucial for verifying maintenance effectiveness. Regular bench tests or road tests should be conducted to measure whether the braking force distribution of the service brakes meets design requirements, and the braking distance under full load should meet regulatory limits. The parking brake's locking ability on a specified slope must be tested to ensure the vehicle does not roll away when stationary. For trailers equipped with auxiliary braking devices (such as retarders or engine braking), their operating logic and braking efficiency must be checked simultaneously to ensure they work in tandem with the main braking system and reduce heat load in scenarios such as long downhill slopes.
Lubrication and cleaning of critical components are essential. Moving parts such as the brake camshaft and brake clearance adjustment mechanism require regular application of high-temperature grease to maintain smooth rotation and prevent delayed braking response due to dryness. The working surfaces of the brake drum (or brake disc) and friction pads must be kept clean and free from oil contamination. If contaminated, they should be thoroughly cleaned immediately with a specialized cleaning agent; otherwise, a decrease in the coefficient of friction may lead to brake failure.
Maintenance must strictly adhere to technical specifications. When replacing brake components, use parts that match the original vehicle specifications; non-standard or inferior products are prohibited. Brake clearance adjustment must be performed according to the manufacturer's instructions to ensure uniform clearance between the brake shoes and the brake drum (or the brake pads and brake disc), preventing overheating due to insufficient clearance on one side. Maintenance records should be established, documenting inspection times, test data, and information on replaced parts, providing a basis for subsequent fault tracing and preventative maintenance.
Maintenance of the trailer braking system is not an isolated process but is closely related to daily driving habits and load management. Drivers should avoid frequent hard braking or prolonged continuous braking to reduce the risk of heat fade; when loading cargo, weight should be distributed reasonably to prevent uneven loading that could lead to insufficient braking force on individual wheels. Only by combining standardized maintenance with scientific use can the braking system continue to perform reliably, providing a solid guarantee for the safe operation of trailers and ensuring the safe arrival of every transportation mission.
