Help centre
Guides & FAQ
Guides, technical information and installation videos for trailer parts — brakes, axles, lighting, couplings, gas springs and more.
Technical guides
- About trailer axles A trailer axle needs to be replaced if it is damaged or heavily corroded. Sometimes, if the wheel brakes need to be fully reconditioned, it may be cheaper to…
- Complete lighting kits Valeryd’s complete lighting kit makes it easy and safe to fit lighting on a trailer. All you need is included in our lighting kit and you do not need to spli…
- How to choose the right jockey wheel for your trailer To choose the right jockey wheel, you need to know the maximum static load that will be placed on it. You can find this information in your trailer’s technic…
- Information about brake shoes A wheel brake consists of two brake shoes and when the brake mechanism is activated, the shoes are pushed apart, which causes the lining surface to be presse…
- Information about End Pieces for Gas Springs An end piece is a fitting screwed onto a gas spring to provide controlled force transmission between both ends of the spring. End pieces allow the gas spring…
- Information about gas springs Gas springs are used in many different situations – cars, boats, trailers, chairs, hatches, machine hoods, agricultural machines, etc. Gas springs are often …
- Information about Trailer Lighting A trailer’s electrical system consists of a connector, wiring, and lamps. The connector plugs into the rear of the towing vehicle, supplying power to the tra…
- Information about Trailer Locks A trailer or caravan is a relatively easy target for theft — all it takes is a car and a few seconds to hitch up and drive away. A trailer lock is a simple a…
- Lighting maintenance and wiring diagrams Good maintenance of your trailer’s lighting reduces the risk of contact problems and keeps your trailer lighting working reliably on the road. Follow these b…
- Load and secure your trailer Valeryd has several product ranges to secure the load on a trailer. Some things are presented here that you need to consider when you load and secure your tr…
Rules and inspection
- Does a trailer need insurance? In most European countries, trailers that require registration also require their own liability insurance. The rules vary significantly between countries – i…
- How often does a trailer need inspection? How often a trailer needs a roadworthiness inspection depends on the country, the type of trailer, and its maximum permitted weight. In most European countri…
- Overhanging load on a trailer – what rules apply? Transporting goods that extend beyond the trailer’s body is permitted in most European countries, but only within clearly defined limits. The load must be pr…
- Trailer failed inspection – causes, solutions and what to do next When a trailer fails a roadworthiness inspection, it is almost always due to safety-related defects. The good news is that most failures are caused by worn o…
- Trailer inspection – rules, checklist and common defects A roadworthiness inspection covers all safety-relevant components on your trailer. Preparing properly in advance saves time, avoids re-inspections, and ensur…
- Trailer winter tyres – what rules apply? Whether a trailer must be fitted with winter tyres depends on the country. In many European countries, winter tyre requirements apply primarily to the towing…
- What is checked during a trailer inspection? A trailer roadworthiness inspection checks whether your trailer is safe to use on public roads. All safety-relevant components are examined – in particular t…
- What tyre pressure should a trailer have? The correct tyre pressure for a trailer depends on the tyre size, tyre type, axle load, and how the trailer is loaded. Too little or too much pressure can af…
Find the right part
- Find spare parts for overrun brakes There are several ways to find the right coupling or spare parts for your overrun brake. Browse our full range of overrun brakes and coupling heads, or use o…
- Find spare parts for unbraked trailers For unbraked trailers you usually use these parts but deviations may occur. Therefore, always check that it is the correct parts with the help measurements.
- How do I find coupling heads? Finding the right coupling head for your trailer requires checking a few key measurements and specifications. Browse our full range of coupling heads to find…
- Search parts for wheel brakes Finding the right spare parts for your trailer’s wheel brakes is straightforward once you know which method to use. There are three main ways to identify the…
Maintenance and replacement
- How are ball nuts used on the cable? We have another solution where a cable with a fixed T-end/Crimped dome cannot be used. Use a cable with threads in the end and then screw on a ball nut and a…
- How do I clean the brake anchor plate? Clean the brake anchor plate to prevent it from rusting. Cover with rust protection.
- How do I clean the brake drum? If you change the brake shoes, you also need to clean and smooth the brake drum.
- How do I fit a wheel and hub cap? The hub cap helps to centre the wheel on the brake drum. When tightening the wheel on the brake drum, you need to tighten crosswise or as in a star pattern.
- How do I measure the length of the brake cable? There are different models and how you measure these is shown here below. If you do not find the correct length you can choose one that is slightly longer. T…
- How do I replace a coupling head? Identify the correct coupling head in terms of total weight, diameter drawtube, hole pattern and c-c measurement. (vertical/crossed/horizontal)
- How do I replace compact wheel bearings? The video below shows how to replace compact wheel bearings. Remember the following:
- How do I replace Knott spring housings?
- How do I replace the brake cable? Use Valeryd Premium brake cable as the inner wire is encapsulated in a nylon case, that prevents rust. The Premium brake cable gives very good protection aga…
- How to measure trailer wheel bolt pattern – guide and table The bolt pattern – also known as PCD (Pitch Circle Diameter) – describes the diameter of the circle on which the wheel bolts are arranged. It is written in t…
- How to replace a trailer overrun damper – guide and symptoms The overrun damper is a central component of the trailer’s overrun brake system. It controls the movement of the drawbar when the towing vehicle brakes, ensu…
- Trailer axle load – what does it mean? Trailer axle load is the maximum load that the trailer axle is designed and approved to carry. It is an important value when identifying trailer spare parts,…
- Trailer overrun brake not working – causes and solutions When the overrun brake on your trailer stops working correctly, it can seriously affect road safety. The overrun brake is a mechanical system that automatica…
- Trailer wheel nut torque – how tight should they be? Using the correct torque when tightening trailer wheel nuts is essential for safe towing. Nuts that are too loose can work free during a journey, while nuts …
- Why choose LED? LED lighting has become increasingly popular in recent years. Valeryd has a broad range within the latest LED lighting technology. You can read more here abo…
Brakes and installation
- How do I adjust brakes from Knott? At least once a year, you need to adjust the brakes or after changing brake shoes.
- How do I fit new brake shoes from Knott? Lubricate all moving parts with copper paste or the like.
- How do wheel brakes work? The brake system on a trailer consists of three parts:
- How do you fit the trailer brake rod, rigging screw and equalizing yoke? The video below shows how to fit the trailer brake rod, rigging screw and equalizing yoke.
- How does the overrun brake work? The overrun brake makes up, together with the brake transference and the wheel brake, the brake system on a trailer.
- How tight should I tighten flange nuts? Always use a torque wrench when tightening the flange nut. All flange nuts must be tightened with 280-300 Nm.
- In which direction do the brake shoes sit? Sometimes there are differences between primary and secondary brake shoes. According to the video two different brake shoes are shown, so be sure to install …
- Why choose the XL-kit? Even the moving parts in a wheel brake wear, or be attacked by rust. Valeryd therefore recommends to always replace all parts when it’s time to change the br…