Maintenance & After-Sales Guide: ZW Group Skeleton Trailer (Tanzania Edition)
Professional Care for Long-Distance Haulage from Dar es Salaam to Central Africa
Operating a fleet in the East African Community (EAC) involves unique challenges—from the humidity of the Indian Ocean coast to the dusty, unpaved stretches of the TAZARA corridor. To ensure your ZW Group Skeleton Semi Trailers achieve a service life of 10+ years, follow this specialized maintenance protocol.
1. Daily Inspection: The "Before-Loading" Routine
Before heading out from the Dar es Salaam Port or logistics yards in Kurasini, drivers must conduct a 5-minute "Walk-Around":
Twist Locks: Ensure all 12 sets of ISO twist locks rotate freely. Lubricate with heavy-duty grease to prevent seizing caused by salt-air corrosion.
Tire Pressure: Check for 12R22.5 tubeless tire integrity. Tanzanian road temperatures can be high; under-inflated tires are prone to blowouts on the T6 Highway.
Air Couplings: Inspect the "Palm" couplings for dust or sand blockages which are common in dry regions like Dodoma.
2. The First 2,000km "Break-in" Service
For new trailers delivered to clients like Charles Msuka, the first journey is critical. After the first 2,000km (roughly the round trip from Dar es Salaam to the Zambian border):
U-Bolt Tightening: The leaf spring U-bolts must be re-torqued. New steel settles during initial heavy loading.
Wheel Hub Inspection: Check the temperature of the FUWA/BPW axles. If a hub feels excessively hot, the bearings may need adjustment.
Wheel Nut Torque: Ensure all wheel nuts are tightened to the specified torque (typically 550-600 Nm).
3. Quarterly Deep Maintenance (Every 10,000 - 15,000km)
Given the heavy-duty cycles in Intermodal Transport, quarterly service is vital:
Braking System: Clean the WABCO relay valves. In the humid coastal climate of Tanzania, moisture can accumulate in the air tanks. Drain the air tanks daily to prevent internal rust.
Suspension Bushings: Inspect the rubber bushings in the mechanical suspension. The "corrugated roads" often found in rural areas can accelerate wear.
Electrical Conductivity: Clean the 7-pin plug and LED light connectors with electrical contact cleaner to prevent "phantom" lighting issues caused by salt-mist oxidation.
4. Specialized Care for the Tanzanian Environment
| Challenge | Maintenance Action |
| Coastal Salt Corrosion | Wash the chassis with fresh water after every trip to the port to remove salt deposits. Touch up any paint chips immediately with polyurethane paint. |
| High Dust (Arusha/Kigoma) | Regularly grease the landing gear and camshafts to prevent abrasive dust from grinding the moving parts. |
| Overload Prevention | Always distribute container weight evenly. Use the central locks for 20ft containers to prevent "bowing" of the main beam. |
5. Spare Parts Availability in Tanzania
ZW Group ensures that all "Wear and Tear" parts used in our skeleton trailers are locally accessible in major Tanzanian hubs:
Axle Parts: Compatible with standard FUWA/BPW components found in Temeke spare parts markets.
Brake Linings: Standard 13T/16T heavy-duty linings.
Landing Gear: JOST-compatible components.
Pro Tip for Charles Msuka: We recommend keeping a "Critical Spares Kit" on each truck, including 2 spare tires, 1 set of brake chambers, and 2 extra twist lock handles for emergency roadside repairs.
6. Warranty Terms & Support
ZW Group provides a 1-year structural warranty on the main beam and a 6-month warranty on major components (Axles, Landing Gear) under normal operating conditions.
Technical Support: Available via WhatsApp/Video Call with Manager Pierce for real-time troubleshooting.
Documentation: Every trailer is shipped with a detailed English maintenance manual and a Bill of Materials (BOM) for easy parts identification.
Why ZW Group After-Sales Stands Out
We don't just sell trailers; we sell uptime. Our brand's popularity in Tanzania is built on the fact that a ZW trailer is rarely seen parked for repairs—it’s always on the move.
