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For basic cleaning of the trailer, it is best to use clean water. For heavier soiling, a pH-neutral detergent may be used, such as car wash liquid. 

Do not use corrosive or strongly alkaline chemicals, including so-called ‘active foam’. Harsh chemicals can damage the zinc coating on structural components, which protects against corrosion. 

Washing a trailer should be carried out in much the same way as washing a car – using suitable products and without applying excessive pressure to individual parts. 

Before you start washing, thoroughly wet the chassis and other parts of the trailer with water. You can then remove any dirt using a soft sponge or a brush designed for washing cars. 

After washing, the trailer must be thoroughly rinsed with plenty of clean water. You can use a pressure washer for this, but remember to keep a minimum distance of 50 cm between the washer’s nozzle and the trailer’s bodywork. 

Maintaining the correct distance helps to minimise the risk of damage to the protective coatings and the trailer’s fittings.

Take particular care when using a pressure washer. Do not direct the water jet directly at moving parts or lubrication points. A strong jet can wash away the grease contained in these parts; therefore, if any grease is removed, you must replenish the lubrication immediately. 

Do not direct a strong jet of water directly at: 

• electrical installations, 
• plugs and connectors, 
• rear combination lamps and marker lights, 
• warning stickers, 
• reflective devices, 
• the type plate. 

It is also advisable to take particular care with these components when washing and rinsing the trailer by hand.

In winter, the trailer is particularly vulnerable to road salt and other road-maintenance chemicals. These substances can adversely affect the zinc coating and, over time, contribute to its degradation. 

Therefore, after driving in winter conditions – particularly on roads where salt or other chemicals have been used – it is recommended that you wash the trailer thoroughly as soon as possible, paying particular attention to the chassis and hard-to-reach areas. 

Regularly removing salt, mud and other contaminants is one of the simplest ways to keep your trailer in good working order and extend the service life of its components. 

Simply washing the trailer is not enough. Regular inspection and lubrication of moving parts are an important part of its proper operation and help to keep the components in good working order. 

For trailers used regularly, moving parts should be checked and lubricated once a month. Trailers used only occasionally should undergo such checks and lubrication at least once every six months.

The following, amongst others, require lubrication: 

• the slide tube, 
• the return lever, 
• the gas spring mounting points, 
• the handbrake lever, 
• the ball coupling. 

The ball hitch also requires regular lubrication, with the exception of hitches fitted with an AKS stabiliser. Operating the hitch ‘dry’ causes increased friction and may significantly reduce its service life. 

PLEASE NOTE! 

Under no circumstances should the friction linings of the AKS 3004 and AKS 3504 stabilisers be lubricated or oiled. Their correct operation relies on the appropriate level of friction; therefore, contact with oil or grease may adversely affect the stabiliser’s performance. 

Not all parts of the trailer require regular maintenance. The axle suspension, fitted with rubber torsion bars, does not require additional lubrication. 

For the axles, with the exception of the AL-KO 750 kg braked axle, compact bearings are used. Thanks to the use of a special grease and appropriate seals, they are maintenance-free and do not require periodic maintenance or additional lubrication. 

Proper maintenance of a trailer does not require complicated procedures. The most important things are to remove dirt regularly, use suitable cleaning products, avoid harsh chemicals, and take care when using a pressure washer. 

It is equally important to regularly inspect and lubricate moving parts in line with how often the trailer is used. 

It is also worth remembering that thorough cleaning of the trailer makes it easier to monitor its condition on an ongoing basis. During cleaning, you can spot any damage, wear and tear on individual components, or areas requiring additional maintenance or servicing more quickly. 

Regular care and proper maintenance are a simple way to keep the trailer in good working order and extend the service life of its components.