Professional Trailer Maintenance & Repairs – Keep Your Fleet Safe, Reliable, and Roadworthy

In the world of commercial transport, trailers are the unsung heroes of the logistics industry. They carry the load, protect the cargo, absorb the stress of long-distance travel and handle millions of miles of wear over their lifetime. Yet, despite their importance, trailers often receive far less attention than tractor units. Failing to maintain a trailer correctly can lead to dangerous faults, failed inspections, costly downtime and even roadside prohibitions from the DVSA.

At Stark Fleet, we specialise in trailer maintenance & repairs, ensuring commercial trailers remain safe, compliant and ready for heavy-duty operation. Whether you operate curtain-sided trailers, box trailers, flatbeds, refrigerated trailers, low-loaders or specialised commercial units, our engineers provide full servicing, diagnostics, and repairs tailored to your fleet.

This comprehensive guide explains the importance of scheduled trailer maintenance, the services Stark Fleet provides, and how our professional team supports logistics companies across London, Reading, Heathrow, Oxford and surrounding areas.

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Why Trailer Maintenance Matters

While tractor units often receive regular servicing, trailers tend to only be inspected when something goes wrong. This reactive approach can result in:

• Dangerous brake failures

• Air leaks and reduced braking efficiency

• ABS/EBS warnings

• Worn axles, bearings and hubs

• Faulty lights causing MOT failures

• Air suspension collapses

• Chassis cracking and structural damage

• Costly roadside breakdowns or DVSA prohibitions

Regular trailer maintenance prevents these issues, reduces unexpected downtime and keeps your fleet compliant with UK safety standards. At Stark Fleet, our technicians are experienced in all aspects of trailer service and repair, ensuring complete safety and reliability.

Trailer Brake and Air System Servicing

A trailer’s braking performance is only as strong as its air system. Trailer brake failures are one of the leading causes of roadside prohibitions, making routine servicing essential.

Stark Fleet provides complete trailer brake and air system servicing, including:

• Full air system pressure testing

• Brake pad, disc, and drum inspection

• S-cam and bush checks

• Air valve testing

• Air lines and hoses inspection

• Modulator valve checks

• Leak diagnosis and repair

• Slack adjuster replacement

• Brake chamber and actuator servicing

An efficient braking system reduces stopping distances, improves road safety and meets DVSA braking performance standards.

ABS / EBS Diagnostics and Repair

Modern trailers depend heavily on electronic braking control systems like ABS and EBS. Faults with these systems trigger dashboard warnings, reduce braking efficiency and may lead to MOT failures.

Stark Fleet provides advanced ABS/EBS diagnostics and repair, using dealer-level diagnostic tools to identify and resolve:

• Wheel speed sensor faults

• ABS warning lights

• EBS modulator issues

• Broken wiring looms

• ECU communication problems

• Faulty connectors and hubs

• CANbus issues

Our team ensures your trailer’s braking electronics operate at full functionality, preventing breakdowns and compliance breaches.

Axle, Hub, and Bearing Maintenance

Axles and wheel-end components sustain heavy stress daily. Worn bearings or hubs can cause wheel wobble, overheating, lock-ups or even wheel detachment—a serious safety risk.

Stark Fleet delivers complete axle, hub, and bearing maintenance, including:

• Hub inspections and re-greasing

• Bearing adjustment and replacement

• Wheel nut and stud checks

• Axle beam inspection for cracks or bending

• Brake backplate and anchor checks

• Seal replacements

Proper wheel-end maintenance improves trailer stability, reduces tyre wear and prevents costly breakdowns.

Air Suspension Bag and Levelling Valve Replacement

Trailer air suspension provides stability, cushioning and load control. When suspension bags or levelling valves fail, trailers sit unevenly, bounce excessively or lean dangerously during transit.

Our air suspension bag and levelling valve replacement service covers:

• Air bag leak repairs and replacements

• Ride height valve replacement

• Suspension control system testing

• Air pipe and fitting repairs

• Shock absorber checks

• Levelling arm calibration

We service all suspension manufacturers including BPW, SAF, JOST, Mercedes and Hendrickson.

Trailer Electrical and Lighting Repairs

Faulty lights are one of the most common causes of MOT failures and roadside stop checks. Commercial trailers require fully functioning lighting and electrical systems at all times.

Stark Fleet offers full trailer electrical and lighting repairs, covering:

• Marker lights

• Indicator and tail lights

• Reverse lights

• ABS/EBS wiring

• ISO plugs and sockets

• Full trailer rewiring

• Battery boxes and connectors

• Interior lights for refrigerated trailers

We diagnose shorts, broken circuits, faulty earth points and damaged looms to restore complete electrical integrity.

Chassis, Floor and Side Panel Welding

Trailers experience structural stress daily, especially when carrying heavy loads. Over time, cracks can appear along the chassis, cross members, floor sections or side panels.

Stark Fleet provides professional chassis, floor and side panel welding, including:

• Steel and aluminium welding

• Crack repairs

• Cross-member replacements

• Floor panel reinforcement

• Side panel straightening and welding

• Corrosion removal and treatment

Our welding specialists restore structural strength and prolong trailer lifespan.

Curtain Side, Door and Body Repairs

Curtain-sided and box trailers suffer constant wear from loading, unloading and weather exposure. Tears, bent frames and damaged doors reduce security and can compromise cargo protection.

We specialise in curtain side, door and body repairs, including:

• Curtain rail replacement

• Curtain tensioner repairs

• Curtain fabric replacement

• Rear door alignment and hinge repair

• Roller door repairs

• Body panel straightening

• Roof leak repairs

These services ensure your trailers remain weather-tight, secure and visually presentable.

Tail Lift and Hydraulic System Servicing

Tail lifts are essential for safe loading and unloading, especially in urban logistics operations. When a lift fails, it can halt deliveries entirely.

Stark Fleet offers full tail lift and hydraulic system servicing, covering:

• Cylinder repairs and replacements

• Hydraulic hose repairs

• Tail lift platform repairs

• Power pack diagnostics

• Lift chain lubrication and adjustment

• Electrical control testing

• Annual LOLER inspections

We service Dhollandia, Zepro, DEL, Ratcliff and all major tail lift brands.

Annual Trailer Inspections and MOT Preparation

For trailers, MOTs and annual inspections are critical. A failed MOT means costly delays, repair bills and potential compliance issues.

Stark Fleet provides annual trailer inspections and MOT preparation to help fleets pass first time, including:

• Full DVSA-compliant inspection

• Brake testing

• Lighting checks

• Chassis inspections

• Suspension examination

• Air system analysis

• Documented defect reporting

Our team ensures your trailer meets all legal and safety requirements before MOT day, minimising downtime and avoiding re-test fees.

The Benefits of Regular Trailer Maintenance

Choosing professional maintenance brings multiple long-term advantages:

• Reduced downtime

• Better fleet reliability

• Lower repair costs

• Improved road safety

• Extended trailer lifespan

• Better fuel economy due to smooth running gear

• Higher MOT pass rates

• Reduced risk of roadside prohibitions

With Stark Fleet, your trailers stay operational, compliant and cost-effective.

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Why Fleet Managers Choose Stark Fleet

Across London, Reading, Heathrow, Oxford and surrounding areas, Stark Fleet is a trusted service partner because we offer:

• Fast turnaround times

• Experienced trailer technicians

• High-quality welding and fabrication

• Dealer-level diagnostics

• Fully equipped workshop

• Mobile repair support

• Transparent pricing

• Professional reporting for fleet audits

We work with fleets of all sizes—from independent hauliers to national logistics operators.

Our mission is to reduce downtime, improve reliability and keep your fleet operating safely and efficiently.📞 Contact Stark Fleet today to book an inspection or request a quote. Your fleet deserves the highest quality service — keep your trucks moving with Stark Fleet.