Annual Safety Inspection - What you need to know

Every year around this time we have a wave of customers visiting us after receiving hefty tickets from the MTO for not having the proper sticker on their vehicle or trailer.
Here are some rules to follow to make sure that you aren't making an unnecessary "donation" to the government.


Class A  License required to tow any tractor trailer or combination of motor vehicle and towed vehicles where the towed vehicles exceed a total gross weight of 4600kgs.


Class G License required to tow any trailer or combination of trailer and towed vehicle with a gross weight of less than 4600kgs.


When a new trailer is purchased the trailer must be registered and owner must pay a one time registration fee for an ownership and license plate for the trailer. Your ownership or a copy of the original should be kept with you at all times while towing the trailer.


Your trailer must be in safe working condition i.e working lights, brakes(if applicable), proper connection to the tow vehicle, no hanging parts.


If your trailer has a gross vehicle weight rating that exceeds 2990lbs then it must have brakes strong enough to stop it. Also the tow vehicle must be equipped with a working brake controller installed at the factory or after market.


Your trailer must have adequate lighting to ensure it is safe for towing at night, this includes:

• A white license plate light
• A red tail light
• Two red reflectors at the rear of the trailer, as far apart as possible

Trailers wider than 80inches must also have

• two yellow clearance lights, one on each side at the front of the trailer to let other drivers know how wide your trailer is
• two red clearance lights or reflectors one on each side of the rear of your trailer to let drivers behind you know how wide your trailer is.

Your trailer must also have fenders or mud guards to prevent from spraying any vehicle behind you.
If the trailer blocks your vision to the rear you must have mirrors that adapt or extend to provide a clear view of the road behind you.


Your trailer must be attached to the towing vehicle in two ways:
1. By the hitch, either bumper, or in bed (gooseneck or fifth wheel)
2. By safety chains crossed underneath the tongue of the trailer and attached to the vehicle so as to catch the trailer tongue if it becomes disconnected from the tow vehicle. The chains must have latches that prevent them from accidentally coming detached.


When loading your trailer everything must be strapped down on the inside and the outside of the trailer. It is an offense to have a load that may become disconnected and fall off.


Trucks, Trailers and Converter dollies alone or in combination with a total gross weight or Gross Vehicle Weight Rating exceeding 4500kgs must have an annual safety inspection performed and yellow sticker applied.
Vehicles that do not require an Annual Inspection include: a recreational vehicle or motor home, a house trailer, devices such as portable welders, cement mixers, farm wagons etc.

Sticker placement for the truck should be on the lower left hand side of the windshield or the side of the truck. Sticker placement for the trailer should be on the drivers side at the front of the trailer where it is easily visible. The sticker should be punched with the month and year that the inspection was completed and is valid until that month the following year. Associated safety inspection paperwork must be kept with the trailer at all times while towing to show the trailer inspection station, date and owner of the truck and trailer.

Along with the safety paperwork a circle check of the vehicle and trailer must be performed before towing and a log book must be filled out.

If there are any other questions about MTO compliance and safety rules do not hesitate to contact us!
1-866-479-1744

New Year - New Trailers!

A new year a Jensen Trailers brings new and improved trailers! our goal in 2015 was to bring you a bigger variety of trailers for better prices. We can now proudly say that we offer a trailer for everyone's needs and budget. When choosing a new trailer it is important to distinguish between getting good value and getting a cheap trailer (in all senses of the word). Compare spec for spec when shopping trailers and this way you well ensure that you get the best trailer for you dollar.

Here are some important things to consider when buying a trailer:

• Tires - Are the tires radial or bias ply? What size are they?
• Axles - Spring or Torsion - Electric Brakes or Surge Brake
• Frame - Aluminum or Steel
• Tongue - Single, A Frame or Triple Tube
• Interior Height - Cargo Trailers, extra height cost more
• Warranty - A longer warranty means a better trailer
• Trailer Construction - Is the fame made from c- channel, tube or i-beam
• Cross members - The closer together the cross members the stronger the trailer
 

There are hundreds more ways to compare one trailer to another and if you want more information on why Jensen Trailers builds the best trailers, ask us!

Merry Christmas

From everyone here at Jensen Trailers we wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Don't forget that our tandem axle safety inspections are only $99.99 for the month of January.
Book yours today at jensentrailers.com 

Winter Towing Tips!

As the season of snow, ice and salt fast approaches there are a couple things that you can do to protect your trailer from the harsh weather!

Having your trailer oiled with a drip-less oil helps to protect the frame (the most important part) against salt and magnesium chloride corrosion, both of which are found on roads during the winter months.

Much like your vehicle, keeping your trailer clean helps to prevent rusting and corrosion on the body of your trailer as well.

Some people choose to store their trailer for the winter months, the following are some tips to protect your trailer during outdoor storage.

• Have a barrier between ground and tires - wood, vinyl, gravel, anything is better than your tires sitting in the grass all winter!
• Store trailer on an angle (jack up front) so that melting snow and ice will fall off the trailer instead of settle on the top.
• Lubricate jack and pivot points so they don't seize during the cold.
• Seal wood deck with Thompson's water seal during the summer to protect it from decay in the winter
• Cover tires to prevent sun damage and cracking.
• Put a plastic plastic bag around trailer plug and seal to prevent corrosion from water.

At Jensen Trailers we really are the trailer people so if you need to prepare your trailer for winter come see us and we are more than happy to help!

http://jensentrailers.com 

Big or Small - We Build Them All

While we have hundreds of trailers in stock, we specialize in custom built trailers. Our decades of experience allows us to cater to the most particular of requests and even advise of better options. No job is too complex, we frequently build concession trailers, race car trailers,  and even custom event trailers!

Tip of the Day!

More and more often we are replacing tires due to uneven tire wear. It is important to know what causes this and know how to prevent it so as to avoid costly blowouts. The following chart will help you diagnose what is causing your uneven wear but if you are not sure visit the experts at Jensen's and we get not only get you new tires but solve all your trailers problems! Remember, a referral is the biggest compliment a client can give a business and it is never taken lightly!