Views: 111 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2025-07-31 Origin: Site
One of the most common landing gear failures starts inside the gearbox—the part that converts your cranking motion into gear movement to raise or lower the legs. If those gears wear out or get jammed, the whole system can stop working.
Why it happens:
Cranking too hard can strip or break internal gears.
Skipping lubrication increases friction and wear.
Dirt and grime get into the housing and cause jams.
How to avoid it: Keep the gearbox clean and greased regularly using quality gear oil. Don’t force the crank—if it resists, inspect the mechanism instead of muscling through it.
If one leg takes more load than the other—usually because of uneven ground or poor weight distribution—it can bend or shift out of alignment. This makes the trailer unstable and harder to raise or lower properly.
Why it happens:
Parking on slopes or rough terrain.
Unbalanced cargo putting uneven stress on the legs.
How to avoid it: Always try to park on flat, level surfaces. When that’s not possible, use stabilizing blocks or pads. Load your trailer evenly to reduce strain on the landing gear.
Landing gear spends a lot of time close to the ground—where water, mud, and road salt collect. Without proper protection, rust can eat away at the metal components, weakening the entire structure over time.
Why it happens:
Constant exposure to moisture or salt without proper cleaning.
Scratches or chips in protective coatings that expose bare metal.
How to avoid it: Apply rust-proof paint or anti-corrosion spray to vulnerable parts. Inspect frequently for early signs of rust and wash off salt and dirt after driving in wet or snowy conditions.
The crank handle is your manual control for raising and lowering the trailer. When it bends, loosens, or breaks, the entire landing gear can become unusable until repaired.
Why it happens:
Using too much force when cranking.
Loose bolts or worn-out joints in the handle assembly.
Impact from forklifts or other nearby equipment.
How to avoid it: Crank smoothly, not forcefully. Tighten bolts regularly and replace worn components early. If the handle is bent, don’t try to fix it—just replace it to avoid damaging other parts.
Sometimes, the landing gear legs don’t extend or retract smoothly—they move slowly or get stuck entirely. This can be frustrating and time-consuming, especially when on the road.
Why it happens:
Dry gears due to lack of lubrication.
Dirt or rocks jamming the mechanism.
Internal wear or damage inside the gear system.
How to avoid it: Clean the landing gear area regularly and grease all moving parts. Check for blockages before each trip, and never ignore signs of slow or uneven movement—early attention can prevent full failure.
