Floors and Cross Members

Minor scrapes and gouges in the floor are acceptable, however gouges ½” or more must be filled with crack filler or a floor restore kit.  Floorboards can be sectioned as long as the section covers a minimum of three cross members the full width of the board.  Metal plating is not acceptable.

Cross members can be straightened as long as the flange is not pulled away from the floor.  Cross members that are pulled away from the floor, cut, torn, or deflected (bowed downward) more than ¼” must be replaced.  When replacing cross members, end clips must be welded and Mylar tape must be used between any dissimilar metals. 

Roofs and Roof Bows

Roof patches are acceptable as long as the patches are no more than 3’ square and are buck riveted with soft buck rivets.  If the hole will require a patch larger than 3’ square or there will be more than two patches in a 6’ length of roof, the roof must be sectioned.  A section must start from the front or rear on the trailer, be less than 50% of the length of the trailer, and only one section per trailer.  If these conditions cannot be met, the roof must be replaced.  Only buck rivets will be accepted, no pull rivets of any kind.

Roof bows must be straightened to their original shape and be free of cuts; otherwise they must be replaced.

Body Panels and Posts

Holes in side panels must be repaired by sectioning the complete width of the panel and buck riveting with hard buck rivets.  A section must start from the top or bottom of the panel, be less than 50% of the panel, and only one section per panel.  If these conditions can not be met, the panel must be replaced.  Caulking or sealant should be put between the panel pieces prior to assembly; not bordering around the section after assembly.  Only buck rivets will be accepted, no pull rivets of any kind.

Posts must be straightened to their original shape and be free of cuts, otherwise they must be replaced.

Rails

Rail sections are acceptable as long as the section starts from the front or rear of the trailer.  Only one section per rail is allowed; sections on opposing rails or two rails on the same side are not allowed.  If two rails are sectioned the section must be staggered at least 6 foot.  All sections must be reinforced.  Bottom rail reinforcements must be at least 4” x 1/8” flat stock iron extending three cross members on each side of the splice.  Top rail reinforcements must be at least 3” x 3/16” flat stock aluminum extending 18” on each side of the splice.

Dents and bends in rails should be straightened.  If the rail has been bent ½” or more in either direction it must also be reinforced.  Reinforcements must be at least 4” x 1/8” flat stock iron extending two cross members beyond each side of the damaged area.  Mylar tape must be used between any dissimilar metals.

Body panel, post, and rail damage on trailers less than one year old may be required to be returned to like-new condition.

Doors

Door molding must be repaired if it is cut, broken, if the door core is exposed, or if the door does not fully seal.  Door molding can be sectioned as long as the door core is watertight and the splice fully seals when the door is closed.
Minor cuts less than 2” in the door skin can be sealed with white silapreme.  Any damage where the door core is broken or is no longer water tight, necessitates door replacement.  No door sections will be accepted.

Plywood and Scuff

Plywood lining with holes or cuts larger than 3” or that expose a post must be replaced.  The full sheet must be replaced with AC grade plywood.  Small cuts and holes smaller than 3” where the post is not exposed can be filled with fiberglass reinforced Bondo.  No other patching material like foam, regular Bondo, tapes, or wood filler will be accepted.  If any plywood has been filled with an unacceptable patching material, the full sheet must be replaced, not refilled.

Scuff must be full attached with no sharp edges.  Broken oak scuff must be replaced.  Scuff may be sectioned with the same type of scuff as long as steel splices are welded and oak splices are butt jointed on a post.

Landing Support Gear

Bent or damaged legs need to be replaced with the same type of leg.  Minor bends in braces can be straightened, however braces that have a kink must be replaced.  Wing and support plates must be welded to the cross members.

Undercarriage and Mud Flaps

All suspension areas must be straightened or replaced as necessary to be in good working order.  Axles must be replaced if they are bent or have spindle damage or groves.  No spindles are to be replaced.  Worn bushings must be replaced. 

Bent mud flap brackets must be straightened or replaced.  Mud flaps with tears, cuts, holes, or cracks must be replaced with DOT approved flaps.

ICC Bumpers and Rear Under ride Guards

Minor bends may be straightened.  Any other damaged pieces must be replaced.  All replacement parts should be primed and painted to match.  NOTE: On 1998 and newer trailers, all repairs and replacements must meet federal criteria including a decal showing such.

Lights

The same quality lights and reflectors must be present and in good working order.

Decal Removal

All customer decals including decal adhesive must be removed.  All damage resulting from their removal should be repaired.     

Tires

Replacement tires should be of the same quality, design, and tread depth to the tires at the initial outbound inspection.  If a first line tire is replaced with a recapped tire, a fee to recover the casing value may apply.  Tires should be replaced between 2/32” and 4/32” of tread remaining.  If tires are run below 2/32” of tread remaining, a fee to recover any damage to the casing may apply. 

Notify your local National Semi-Trailer Corp. branch office when tires are approaching 4/32” of tread remaining, to schedule for replacement tires.

National Semi-Trailer Corp. replacement program for normally worn tires available only on Full, Standard and Net Plus maintenance agreements.

Brakes

Replacement brakes should be of the same quality material and design to the brakes at the initial outbound inspection.  Brakes should be replaced when there is between 25% and 30% (measurements of 14/32" to 15/32") of brake lining remaining.  If brakes are run below 25% pad remaining, damage from exposed brake shoe rivets may occur, and a fee to recover damage to the brake drum may apply.   Notify your local National Semi-Trailer Corp. branch office when brakes are approaching 30% (measurement of 14/32" to 15/32") of brake lining remaining to schedule a brake job.

National Semi-Trailer Corp.® replacement program for normally worn brakes available only on Full, Standard and Net Plus maintenance agreements.

 

New 100% brakes are equal to 16/32" of usable brake lining.