Appearance maintenance, Freezing weather maintenance – Great Dane 42101401 User Manual

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APPEARANCE MAINTENANCE

Appearance maintenance includes cleaning, polishing,
corrosion prevention and removal, and protective
coating. You must have a working knowledge of each
for the complete and proper appearance maintenance
of a Great Dane trailer.

WASHING AND CHEMICALS

Improper use of chemical cleaners has caused many
a newly delivered trailer finish to streak and fade,
particularly yellow, red and black models. Ironically,
fade is often caused by a desire to keep the units
clean – and using too strong a chemical solution.
When instructions call for a 150:1 water/chemical ratio,
do not use a 50:1 ratio. Sometimes fading caused by
an overly concentrated caustic agent may be remedied
with warm water rinsing and application of a glazing wax.

APPEARANCE MAINTENANCE MATERIALS

Many chemical companies compound materials for
appearance maintenance, and some will even provide
instruction. Protective films, such as paints and clear
coats, are necessary for the prevention of corrosion
and the preservation of metal and wood surfaces.
They add color, beauty, and distinction.

Trailer undercoat materials can lose effectiveness if steam
cleaned or if they come in contact with most solvents.

The underside, including beams, has been undercoated
with a special, soft, rust preventive coating. To prolong
the life of this coating, avoid the use of high-pressure
washers, strong cleaning solutions and brighteners.

Due to the normal weathering and abrasion caused
by road conditions this coating must be inspected and
recoated as necessary (approximately every 24 months).

Dry-freight laminated wood floors should be cleaned
by sweeping and should not be washed out.

BENEFITS OF APPEARANCE MAINTENANCE

Complete and proper appearance maintenance of
Great Dane trailers not only adds to their physical
condition and ultimate trade-in value but also favorably
affects the operator’s feelings about himself and his
company. It also favorably affects the public image
of the company.

FREEZING WEATHER MAINTENANCE

Winter cold weather and its slush, sleet, and snow
present special problems to the truck trailer operator
and to maintenance men. Low temperatures can mean
frozen and sluggish or inoperative brakes, sagging light
and brake lines, broken connections, increased corrosion,
and can require the installation of winter equipment.

Enclosed air systems for brakes and air-operated
equipment should be drained regularly of accumulated
moisture. The air tanks should be drained daily. The
trailer air system should be treated through tractor
equipment only. Use of additives can cause damage to
the brake system. This could result in metal corrosion
or swelling of brake valve seals. Make sure electrical
and brake lines are adequately supported.

Ice and mud accumulations on brake lines and actuators
should be removed regularly. Any air leaks that may exist
are difficult to find when they are encased in ice and mud.

WINTER CORROSION MAINTENANCE

Magnesium and calcium chlorides used to control snow
and ice over our national highways, if not property
cleaned from your tractor and trailer equipment after
each trip, will result in rust and corrosion damage in as
little as one winter of operation.

Information concerning corrosion maintenance can be
found in the publication’s bibliography and on Great
Dane’s website, www.greatdanetrailers.com.

These references outline:

1. What states use these chemicals

2. How these chemicals affect equipment operated

over road surfaces treated with it.

3. What you should do to protect and maintain your

equipment when it’s exposed to these highly
corrosive chemicals.

SUGGESTED PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE

EVERY 1,000 MILES:

Check oil level in wheel hub and inspect wheel
hub for leaks

15,000 MILES OR MINIMUM OF TWICE A YEAR:

Check brake adjustment

Check and repack wheel bearings as required once
per year or every 100,000 miles as recommended
by the T.M.C.

25,000 to 30,000 MILES:

Check lining wear and estimate reline time

Inspect camshaft, camshaft spider bushing
and camshaft support bracket bushing for
any signs of wear

Lubricate brake actuating components

100,000 MILES, ONCE A YEAR, OR AT BRAKE RELINE:

Replace wheel bearing lubricating oil (if applicable)

Check brake air actuators and adjusters

Inspect brake rollers, roller shafts, anchor pins and
bushings and replace if necessary

NOTICE:

Aluminum brighteners should not be used.

WARNING

Do not use heat on any part of the

air system. The use of heat can cause a rupture
and can be very dangerous.

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