Trailer Repair Ocala Trailer repair questions, answered
These are the questions we hear most from trailer owners around Ocala. Short version: Florida requires brakes on all wheels and a breakaway system on any trailer over 3,000 lb gross, safety chains on every bumper pull, and working lights on every trailer. Bearings get repacked every 12 months or 12,000 miles. If you do not see your question, send it with the quote form.
The Florida rules, in one place
The answers above quote the Florida Statutes directly, with section numbers, so you can read them yourself at the Florida Senate’s statute site. We are not inspectors, and nothing on this site is legal advice. What we do is keep the parts those sections care about working: brakes and breakaway, lights and wiring, and the coupler and chain mounts.
Maintenance intervals, in one place
| Item | Interval (maker’s manual) |
|---|---|
| Wheel bearings | Repack every 12 months or 12,000 miles (Dexter) |
| Brake adjustment | First 200 miles, then every 3,000 (Dexter) |
| Brake magnets | Inspect every 6 months or 6,000 miles (Dexter) |
| Breakaway battery and switch | Check at every use (Dexter, Featherlite) |
| Lug nuts on new or remounted wheels | Torque at 10, 25 and 50 miles (Dexter, Featherlite) |
| Mats out, floor washed | Every 60 days (Sundowner) to every 6 months (4-Star) |
Typical prices for every job are on the pricing page. For symptoms, start with the problems pages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Florida require brakes on my trailer?
Florida Statutes s. 316.261(3) requires brakes on all wheels except trailers with a gross weight of 3,000 lb or less, and even those are exempt only if the trailer weighs no more than 40 percent of the towing vehicle's gross weight. The statute counts gross weight, the trailer plus its load. The GVWR on the trailer's VIN label is its maximum, so if that is over 3,000 lb, plan on brakes on every wheel.
What does Florida say about breakaway brakes?
Under s. 316.261(4), every trailer with a gross weight over 3,000 lb must have brakes on all wheels that apply automatically and promptly, and stay applied for at least 15 minutes, if the trailer breaks away from the tow vehicle. On electric brakes that means a charged breakaway battery and a working switch.
Are safety chains required in Florida?
Yes. Section 316.530(2) requires safety chains, cables or other safety devices on a trailer towed by a rear hitch, strong enough to keep the trailer connected under all conditions. Fifth wheel hitches and farm equipment under 20 mph are exempt.
What lights does a trailer need in Florida?
At least two red taillamps visible from 1,000 feet (s. 316.221), a white light on the plate, and stop lamps visible from 300 feet in normal sunlight (s. 316.234). Trailers over 3,000 lb also need front and rear clearance lamps, two side marker lamps and two reflectors on each side (s. 316.2225(4)), amber at the front and red at the rear (s. 316.224).
How often should trailer wheel bearings be repacked?
Dexter's axle manual says every 12 months or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first. A trailer that sits most of the year still needs it yearly, because grease ages whether the wheels turn or not. Boat trailers that are dunked need more attention; Featherlite says an immersed unsealed bearing should be replaced before the next use.
How often should electric trailer brakes be adjusted?
Dexter says after the first 200 miles on new brakes, then every 3,000 miles or as use requires, unless the trailer has self-adjusting brakes. Magnets should be checked every 6 months or 6,000 miles.
How old is too old for trailer tires?
The last four digits of the DOT code on the sidewall are the week and year the tire was made: 2419 means the 24th week of 2019. Trailer tire guidance attributed to the major tire makers says replace at five to six years regardless of tread.
How much does a bearing repack cost?
Typically $150 to $250 per axle. If the cups or rollers are damaged, replacing bearings and races runs about $150 to $360 per axle.
Do you work on semi trailers or fleet trailers?
No. Semi trailers, tractor-trailers and commercial fleet units need a truck shop with the equipment and air brake work they require. We repair horse and livestock, utility, landscape, equipment, dump, cargo, car hauler and boat trailers.
Do you repair RVs, campers or travel trailers?
No. RVs and campers have plumbing, appliances and living-space systems that need an RV shop. We do running gear and frames on working trailers only.
Do you come to the farm?
Usually, yes. Bearings, brakes, lights, wiring, breakaway systems, tires, couplers, jacks and ramp springs are done where the trailer sits. Full floors, axle swaps and structural welding may need the trailer brought in, and the quote says which.
Can you fix a horse trailer floor without replacing the whole thing?
Often. Wood boards can be replaced in sections, and published shop prices put one 4 by 8 foot section at about $290 plus lumber. Aluminum floors can sometimes be patched where the corrosion is local. We check the crossmembers underneath before we quote either way.
Are you a dealer or warranty center for any brand?
No. We are independent, not a dealer, authorized service center or warranty provider for Featherlite, Sundowner, Exiss, 4-Star or any other maker. If your trailer is under warranty, start with the dealer.
Do you do DOT or safety inspections?
No. We repair trailers. We do not inspect or certify trailers for anyone.
Is there a trip charge?
Sometimes, for the farther places such as Williston or Fort McCoy. If there is one, it is a separate line on the quote before you agree to anything.
How much tongue weight should my trailer have?
Dexter's trip checklist says about 10 percent of the trailer's total weight on the hitch, 15 percent for light trailers. Featherlite says 10 to 15 percent on bumper pulls and 20 to 25 percent on goosenecks. Too little is a common cause of sway.