Trailer wheel check in Exeter
Professional trailer wheel check services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60
Typical Duration
30-45 mins
Location
Exeter, Devon
Comprehensive trailer wheel safety check. Bearing play tested, wheel nuts torqued, wheels inspected for damage, hubs checked for leaks. You'll know exactly what condition your wheels are in.
When Did You Last Check Your Trailer Wheels?
Most people hook up the trailer and go. Nobody checks the wheels until something goes wrong. Loose wheel nuts, failing bearings, cracked wheels - all invisible until the wheel starts wobbling or falls off entirely.
I see trailers every year with wheel nuts barely finger-tight, bearings with massive play, wheels that should have been replaced ages ago. All being towed down motorways at 60mph.
A proper wheel check catches these problems before they strand you on the hard shoulder or worse.
💡 Pro tip: After fitting a wheel or doing any work on your trailer, check wheel nuts again after 50 miles. They often need re-tightening after initial settlement.
What Goes Wrong With Trailer Wheels
Common issues I find:
| ✅ Safe Wheel | ❌ Dangerous Wheel |
|---|---|
| Bearings tight, no play | Excessive play, loose bearings |
| Wheel nuts torqued correctly | Nuts loose or over-tightened |
| Wheel undamaged, no cracks | Cracks in wheel, corrosion damage |
| Hub seals intact, no leaks | Grease leaking, seals failed |
What You Get
🔧 Full Inspection
| Check | What I Look For |
|---|---|
| Bearing play | Rock wheel to feel for looseness |
| Wheel nuts | Torque checked, tightened if needed |
| Wheel condition | Cracks, corrosion, impact damage |
| Hub seals | Grease leaks, seal condition |
| Brake drums/discs | Excessive wear or damage |
| Tyres | Tread, pressure, age, condition |
📦 You're Left With
- Written note of what I found
- Wheel nuts properly torqued
- Clear advice on any issues
- Peace of mind for your journey
Pricing Guide
| Service | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Full trailer wheel check (all wheels) | 30-45 mins | £60 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour). Checking and tightening only - repairs or parts extra.
Perfect For Your Situation If...
✅ Planning a long trip - check everything first
✅ Just bought a trailer - verify it's safe before use
✅ Trailer rarely used - check bearings and condition
✅ Annual safety check - catch problems early
Why Choose Us for Trailer wheel check in Exeter?
Know your trailer is safe before towing
Catch bearing problems early
Check wheel nuts are properly tight
Spot damage or wear issues
What to Expect
Step 1: Bearing Check
I jack each wheel and rock it top-to-bottom, side-to-side. This tells me if bearings have play or are too tight. Should be minimal movement.
Step 2: Nuts & Condition
Check every wheel nut is properly tight with a torque wrench. Inspect the wheel itself for cracks, damage, or corrosion. Look at hub seals and brake condition.
Step 3: Report
Tell you what I found - whether everything's safe, or if something needs attention. If there are problems, I'll explain what needs doing and roughly what it'll cost.
🔧 DIY Tips
Want to check your own trailer wheels? Here's the proper way:
🔧 Tools you'll need
- Jack and axle stands
- Torque wrench
- Wheel brace or socket set
- Good light for inspection
- Tread depth gauge
- Tyre pressure gauge
🔍 Checking for bearing play
- Jack wheel until it's just off the ground
- Support safely on an axle stand
- Grab wheel at 12 and 6 o'clock, rock it
- Should be virtually no movement
- If you can feel play, bearings need adjustment or replacing
💡 Checking wheel nuts
- Don't just whack them with a big bar
- Use a torque wrench - typical trailer nuts: 80-100 Nm
- Check your trailer manual for correct torque
- Go around in a star pattern, not just in sequence
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Only checking one wheel (check all of them)
- Over-tightening wheel nuts (causes damage)
- Assuming bearings are fine without actually checking
- Not supporting the trailer safely when jacking
- Ignoring small cracks in wheels (they get bigger)
💡 Pro trick: To check if bearings are tight without jacking up, spin the wheel while someone holds the brakes. If you feel any roughness or grinding, bearings need attention. Smooth wheels usually mean healthy bearings, but this doesn't check for play.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🚗 Long journey tomorrow? Don't leave wheel checks until the morning you're leaving. Do it a few days before so there's time to fix any problems.
Got a twin-axle trailer? Same price - I check all the wheels thoroughly regardless of how many there are.
Found loose wheel nuts? After I tighten them, check again after 50 miles of driving. Initial settlement often means they need a second tightening.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's included in a trailer wheel check?
I check bearing play by rocking each wheel, inspect for cracks or damage in the wheel itself, check all wheel nuts are tight to the right torque, look at brake drum or disc condition, examine the hub for leaks or damage, and check tyres are legal and properly inflated. Full inspection takes about 30-40 minutes.
How often should trailer wheels be checked?
Before any long journey, definitely. Otherwise, at least once a year if the trailer sits unused, or every few months if you use it regularly. Bearings can fail suddenly - regular checks catch problems before they become dangerous.
Will you tell me if something needs fixing?
Yes - I'll be completely straight with you. If bearings have play, if wheel nuts are loose, if I spot cracks or damage, you'll know about it. I'll explain what's urgent, what can wait, and what it'll cost to sort.
Can you check caravan wheels too?
Yes - same checks apply. Caravans often sit for long periods which is hard on bearings and tyres. Twin axle caravans take a bit longer to check all the wheels but same price.
Do you fix problems you find during the check?
I can sort most issues on the spot if you want - tighten wheel nuts, adjust bearings if there's minor play, swap a damaged wheel if you've got a spare. Bigger jobs like bearing replacement we'd schedule separately.
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