How To: Restoring Old Trailers

Restoring an old trailer back to its former glory can breathe new life into it, save you and your business money and give you a little DIY restoration project to do, because who doesn't love a bit of renovation. When it comes to restoring a trailer, there are a few points to consider first. Whilst it is likely to save you money upfront, you need to properly assess the trailer and what is likely to need fixing first, figure out the details of the issues and items that need addressing, and work out the overall cost. It's likely you'll need a fresh coat of paint and spare parts to replace faulty or broken things. First off, strip the trailer down to the chassis and check the metalwork. If there is rust or some damage to the steel, you'll need to remove the rust and strengthen any weakened areas. It's a good idea to completely sand down the metal and give the trailer a new coat of paint. It's also recommended to use a powder coating for extra durability. Next, you'll need to check the running gear and the lights on the trailer. Particularly brakes and brake drums, brake cables, the coupling, electrical components, tyres and wheels as these things are integral parts on a trailer and need to be functioning correctly.