Block H – Trailers

Trends

To increase fuel economy accessories are being added such as air foils and skirting to improve aerodynamics. Trailers have more lift axles to reduce fuel usage and tire wear when travelling empty.

In some jurisdictions, regulations are allowing more weight on the road which means long combination vehicles (LCVs) can be pulled by trucks.

Related Components (including, but not limited to)

Trailer components: doors, handles, cross members, refrigeration panels, wind deflectors, tail gates, body panels, flooring, roof, wall studs, kick plate, axle, suspension, wheels, legs, feet, gearing, handle, cross tubes, brackets, bracing, fasteners, bogie rails, heating/cooling systems.

Trailer accessories: canvas air chute, curtains, bulkheads, air foils, converter dolly.

Tools and Equipment

ASee Appendix A.

Task 34 Services, diagnoses and repairs trailer components and accessories.

Context

Truck and transport mechanics must be able to service, diagnose and repair trailer components.

Required Knowledge

• K 1 trailer body components such as doors, handles, cross members, refrigeration panels, body panels, flooring, roof, wall studs, electronic lift axles, kick plate, legs, feet, gearing, handle, cross tubes, brackets and bracing
• K 2 trailer body accessories such as canvas air chute and bogie rails
• K 3 common faults such as seized gear boxes, stripped gears, broken handles, bent legs and pads, and bent and broken cross tubes
• K 4 capacity of landing gear components
• K 5 required signage, lighting and reflective material for safety
• K 6 jurisdictional regulations on reflective material, lighting and signage

Sub-task - H-34.01 Services trailer components and accessories.

Key Competencies

• H-34.01.01 clean, lubricate and test movement of trailer components and accessories such as bogie rails, doors and hinges, landing gear and interior of trailer
• H-34.01.02 perform visual inspections to identify worn, damaged or defective components such as king pins, doors, bogie rails, cross members, canvas air chute, body panels, flooring, roof, wall studs, lift axles, kick plates and landing gear components including legs, feet, gearing, handles, cross tubes, brackets and bracing
• H-34.01.03 record service information and inspection findings according to manufacturers’ requirements for warranty, and for future reference and tracking

Sub-task - H-34.02 Diagnoses trailer components and accessories.

Key Competencies

• H-34.02.01 obtain details of symptoms associated with complaint to establish a starting point for diagnostics
• H-34.02.02 perform visual inspections to identify worn, damaged or defective components such as king pins, doors, bogie rails, cross members, canvas air chutes, body panels, flooring, roof, wall studs, lift axles, kick plate and landing gear components including legs, feet, gearing, handles, cross tubes, brackets and bracing
• H-34.02.03 determine faults such as wear, corrosion, overloading, loose fasteners and lack of lubrication
• H-34.02.04 perform failure analysis to determine root cause of failure
• H-34.02.05 record test results and inspection findings according to manufacturers’ requirements for warranty, and for future reference and tracking

Sub-task - H-34.03 Repairs trailer components and accessories.

Key Competencies

• H-34.03.01 replace or repair components and accessories such as king pins, doors, bogie rails, cross members, canvas air chute, body panels, flooring, roof, wall studs, lift axles, kick plate and landing gear components such as legs, feet, gearing, handles, cross tubes, brackets and bracing
• H-34.03.02 perform adjustments to components such as locks and doors
• H-34.03.03 rebuild components such as floors, walls, cross members, scuff rails and gear box according to manufacturers’ specifications
• H-34.03.04 verify repair to ensure it is within manufacturers’ specifications
• H-34.03.05 document that repairs and verifications have been performed for warranty, liability, future reference and tracking

Task 35 Services, diagnoses and repairs heating and refrigeration systems.

Context

Truck and transport mechanics service, diagnose and repair fuel, charging and starting systems as part of trailer heating and refrigeration systems. Special training or licenses are required to work on refrigeration, propane heating and high voltage systems.

Required Knowledge

• K 1 high voltage systems such as genset/hybrid systems and required training to service
• K 2 jurisdictional regulations and licensing requirements
• K 3 types of heating/cooling units
• K 4 fuel systems such as diesel, propane and natural gas
• K 5 components of heating/cooling units such as batteries, wires, fuel tanks starters, alternators, compressors and fuel tanks
• K 6 mounting structures, fasteners and reinforcements
• K 7 operation of heating/cooling units
• K 8 fluid levels such as antifreeze, motor oil and fuel
• K 9 manufacturers’ specifications
• K 10 hazards associated with heating/cooling units and fuel systems
• K 11 diagnostic tools and equipment such as multimeters, load testers and chargers
• K 12 diagnostic procedures
• K 13 power supply such as electric, diesel, propane and natural gas
• K 14 removal and installation procedures of components and accessories such as air flow chutes, bulkheads and dividers

Sub-task - H-35.01 Services heating and refrigeration systems.

Key Competencies

• H-35.01.01 perform visual inspections to identify worn, damaged or defective components
• H-35.01.02 lubricate cleaned electrical connections using dielectric grease
• H-35.01.03 clean electrical connections on starters, alternators and batteries using electrical contact cleaner and terminal brushes H-35.01.04 adjust belt tension with belt tension gauge according to manufacturers’ specifications
• H-35.01.05 perform preventative maintenance checks such as battery load test and checking for water in tank
• H-35.01.06 drain water from tank and add stabilizer or conditioner according to seasonal requirements
• H-35.01.07 secure fuel lines using fasteners such as insulated clamps and separators to prevent chafing or kinking of lines
• H-35.01.08 remove and replace consumable components such as oil, fuel, coolant and related filters according manufacturers’ specifications
• H-35.01.09 recycle and/or dispose of consumable components according to jurisdictional regulations
• H-35.01.10 record service information and inspection findings according to manufacturers’ requirements for warranty, and for future reference and tracking

Sub-task - H-35.02 Diagnoses heating and refrigeration systems.

Key Competencies

• H-35.02.01 obtain details of symptoms associated with complaint to establish a starting point for diagnostics
• H-35.02.02 inspect starting and charging systems for worn, damaged or defective components such as corroded electric connectors and broken or loose belts
• H-35.02.03 load test battery for proper CCA and operating condition (state of charge)
• H-35.02.04 test starting and charging system for appropriate voltage and amperage draw using a multimeter and/or ammeter
• H-35.02.05 interpret diagnostic results to determine next steps such as repairing and replacing starting and charging system components
• H-35.02.06 perform sensory inspection of fuel lines to detect problems such as loose fittings, and chafed or kinked lines in order to detect leaks
• H-35.02.07 check operation of fuel delivery system components on heating units such as fuel pumps and gas regulators
• H-35.02.08 inspect fuel tank condition such as tank expiry date and physical damage
• H-35.02.09 inspect fuel system mounting hardware for wear and damage such as loose or worn tank straps, cracked mounting brackets and broken fasteners
• H-35.02.10 interpret diagnostic results to determine next steps such as repairing and replacing fuel system components
• H-35.02.11 compare test results to manufacturers’ specifications or expected values to verify diagnosis
• H-35.02.12 perform failure analysis to determine root cause of failure
• H-35.02.13 record test results and inspection findings according to manufacturers’ requirements for warranty, and for future reference and tracking

Sub-task - H-35.03 Repair heating and refrigeration systems.

Key Competencies

• H-35.03.01 replace defective components such as chafed or kinked fuel lines, starters, alternators, pulleys, idler pulleys, belts and batteries
• H-35.03.02 remove and reinstall fuel tanks and brackets
• H-35.03.03 prime fuel system after repair or replacement of components
• H-35.03.04 operate and adjust refrigeration and heating unit temperature controls depending on load requirements
• H-35.03.05 adjust belt tension with belt tension gauge according to manufacturers’ specifications
• H-35.03.06 verify repair to ensure it is within manufacturers’ specifications
• H-35.03.07 document that repairs and verifications have been performed for warranty, liability, future reference and tracking