St. Croix Trailers Pre-Trip Safety Checklist
Each time you plan to tow your trailer, inspect the following items before leaving. Custom food trailers, concession trailers, and commercial builds carry significant weight, equipment, water, propane, electrical systems, and accessories. A quick inspection before every trip helps protect your trailer, your vehicle, and everyone on the road.
I. Trailer Connection
- Coupler / Hitch Connection: Confirm the coupler is fully seated on the hitch ball and securely locked.
- Hitch Ball / Pintle / Fifth Wheel / Gooseneck Connection: Inspect for cracks, excessive wear, loose hardware, or improper fit.
- Safety Chains: Cross chains under the tongue when applicable. Check for wear, damage, proper attachment, and adequate rating.
- Breakaway Cable: Confirm the cable is properly attached to the tow vehicle, separate from the safety chains.
- Breakaway Battery: Make sure the battery is charged and the system is connected and operational.
- Jack / Landing Gear: Fully raise and secure the tongue jack, gooseneck jack, or landing gear before towing.
II. Brakes, Axles, Wheels & Tires
- Electric Brakes: Test brake controller function before travel.
- Breakaway Brakes: Confirm the breakaway system activates properly.
- Wheels / Lug Nuts: Check lug nuts for proper torque. Recheck after the first 10, 25, and 50 miles on new or remounted wheels.
- Tires: Check tire pressure cold and inflate to the tire manufacturer’s recommended PSI.
- Tire Condition: Inspect for cracks, punctures, bulges, uneven wear, or low tread.
- Axles / Suspension: Visually inspect axle components, hangers, torsion arms, springs, and hardware for damage or looseness.
- Wheel Bearings / Hubs: Check for excessive heat, noise, grease leakage, or looseness.
III. Lights & Electrical
- Running Lights: Confirm all marker, clearance, and tail lights are working.
- Brake Lights: Verify brake lights activate properly.
- Turn Signals: Check left and right turn signals.
- Reverse Lights: Verify reverse lights if equipped.
- License Plate Light: Confirm plate light is working.
- Trailer Plug / Cord: Inspect the 7-way plug, cord, and junction area for damage, corrosion, or loose connection.
- Battery Systems: Secure all onboard batteries and check connections for corrosion or looseness.
IV. Food Trailer / Commercial Equipment
- Interior Equipment: Secure refrigerators, freezers, prep tables, cooking equipment, shelves, and loose items.
- Water Tanks: Confirm fresh, gray, and waste tanks are secured. Travel with tanks empty or partially filled only when necessary for proper weight balance.
- Plumbing: Check for leaks, loose fittings, and secured drain lines.
- Propane Tanks: Make sure LP tanks are properly mounted, valves are closed, and caps are installed when not in use.
- Propane Lines: Inspect visible gas lines, regulators, and fittings for damage or loose connections.
- Generator: Secure the generator, close fuel caps, and verify exhaust areas are clear.
- Hood / Exhaust System: Confirm rooftop fans, vents, and covers are secured.
- Fire Suppression / Fire Extinguishers: Make sure extinguishers are mounted and accessible. Confirm fire suppression equipment is in place if equipped.
V. Doors, Windows & Exterior
- Entry Door: Close and lock securely.
- Serving Windows: Close, latch, and lock before travel.
- Cabinet Doors / Drawers: Secure all interior storage areas.
- Exterior Panels / Trim: Inspect for loose trim, panels, screws, rivets, or damage.
- Roof Components: Check rooftop A/C units, vents, fans, hoods, solar panels, and covers.
- Steps / Fold-Out Components: Fully retract and secure all steps, shelves, awnings, and fold-out accessories.
- Ramp Door / Porch Gate: Confirm ramp doors, porch gates, and rear platforms are latched and locked.
VI. Weight, Balance & Towing Safety
- Load Distribution: Make sure weight is properly balanced and heavy items are secured low and forward when possible.
- Tongue Weight / Pin Weight: Confirm the trailer is loaded safely for the tow vehicle and hitch setup.
- Overall Height: Know your trailer’s total height, including rooftop equipment.
- Overall Width & Length: Allow extra space for turns, fuel stops, driveways, and parking areas.
- Tow Vehicle Capacity: Confirm your tow vehicle is rated for the loaded trailer weight.
- Mirrors & Visibility: Adjust mirrors and confirm you can safely see around the trailer.
- Brake Controller Setting: Adjust trailer brake gain based on loaded weight and road conditions.
VII. Final Walk-Around
- Hitch locked
- Safety chains connected
- Breakaway cable attached
- Trailer plug connected
- Jacks raised
- Doors locked
- Windows latched
- Equipment secured
- Tires inflated
- Lights working
- Brakes working
- No loose items under, inside, or around the trailer
Important Notice
St. Croix Trailers builds custom commercial trailers designed for durability, compliance, and long-term use. However, safe operation is the responsibility of the owner, driver, and operator. Always follow your tow vehicle owner’s manual, trailer weight ratings, local regulations, and applicable DOT requirements.
When in doubt, do not tow until the issue has been inspected and corrected.