FAQs

On The driver side of the tongue of the trailer is a V.I.N. sticker showing the gross vehicle capacity. To figure out how much you can legally haul on your load you must subtract the weight of the trailer from its rated capacity. For a 10k rated trailer that weighed 2500lbs you would have up to 7500lbs of open capacity for cargo. If this information is faded, please contact us with the V.I.N.# or Serial Number and we can provide you with this information.

On your trailer there is a V.I.N. sticker located on the driver side of the tongue of the trailer. On this sticker you will find the V.I.N# or Serial Number of the trailer. it will be on the MCO provided from your dealer and possibly on your states registration certificate.

Properly functioning brake shoes and drums are essential to ensure safety. You must have your dealer inspect these components at least once per year, or each 12,000 miles.

The brake shoes must be adjusted after the first 200 miles of use, and each 3,000 miles thereafter. Most axles are fitted with a brake mechanism that will automatically adjust the brake shoes when the trailer is “hard braked” from a rearward direction. Read your axle and brake manual to see how to adjust your brakes. If you do not have this manual, call ProStar, LLC at 419-225-8806 for a free copy.

Some braking systems are not automatically adjusted by hard stopping. These brakes require manual adjustment. The following steps apply to adjust most manually adjustable brakes. Read your axle and brake manual to see how to adjust your brakes. If you do not have this manual call ProStar, LLC at 419-225-8806 for a free copy.

• Jack up the trailer and secure it on adequate capacity jack stands.
• Be sure the wheel and brake drum rotate freely.
• Remove the adjusting-hole cover from the adjusting slot on the bottom of the brake backing plate.
• With a screwdriver or standard adjusting tool, rotate the starwheel of the adjuster assembly to expand the brake shoes. Adjust the brake shoes out until the pressure of the linings against the drum makes the wheel very difficult to turn. Note: Your trailer maybe equipped with drop spindle axles. See axle manual for your axle type. You will need a modified adjusting tool for adjusting the brakes in these axles. With drop spindle axles, a modified adjusting tool with about an 80 degree angle should be used.
• Rotate the starwheel in the opposite direction until the wheel turns freely with a slight drag.
• Replace the adjusting-hole cover.
• Repeat the above procedure on all brakes.
• Lower the trailer to the ground.

Surge Brake Actuator devices are actuated by the kinetic force of the trailer still wanting to move forward when the tow vehicle starts to slow down quicker than the trailers natural loss of speed. This action of the trailer compresses the actuators sliding components and actuates the brakes through a hydraulic system similar to cars. When forward towing, a vehicle exerts a force that pulls on the nose of the trailer and keeps the brakes in their released position. The Clunk you hear is the actuator returning to its natural position.

It is possible that the braking system on your trailer needs to be serviced. If the brake shoes are out of adjustment or the hydraulic system is dry or has air in it, you will have excessive movement in the actuator causing a louder than normal clunking. This condition may effect the braking of your trailer and it may be necessary to have your trailer serviced by a qualified technician.

To make certain an electrically-operated braking system will function properly; you must have your dealer inspect the magnets at least once a year, or each 12,000 miles. See

We recommend that the bearings be removed and serviced twice a year. Also we recommend that the grease be checked in the bearings at a regular interval which may vary depending on use. We always recommend grease being checked before any long trips.

Depending on your model of trailer, you may have either a 2" ball or a 2-5/16" ball. The specific ball size will be printed on top of the latching system of your trailer. ALWAYS USE THE CORRECT SIZE BALL.

RETIGHTEN LUG NUTS AT FIRST 10, 25 & 50 MILES
Wheel lugs can shift and settle quickly after being first assembled, and must be checked after the first 10, 25 and 50 miles of driving. Failure to perform this check may result in a wheel coming loose from the trailer, causing a crash leading to death or serious injury.

^ WARNING
Lug nuts are prone to loosen after initial installation, which can lead to death or serious injury. Check lug nuts for tightness on a new trailer or when wheel(s) have been remounted after the first 10, 25 and 50 miles of driving.

When tightening your lug nuts on your trailer wheels, the recommended torque for each lug nut is 90-110 ft/lbs (foot pounds). Tighten your lugs in a criss-cross pattern for best and equal torque distribution. Important: As with all types of wheels it is necessary to re-torque the lug nuts after the first 25 miles and at every 100 mile intervals until the torque remains constant. Failure to do so may lead to the wheel separating from the trailer. Such an incident is not covered by the warranty of your trailer.

Lug Nut Torque – Steel Wheels
Axle Rating Pounds	Stud Size	Dry Torque Foot-pounds
3,500 to 7,000	½ inch	100
8,000	9/16 inch	NA
9,000	5/8 inch	NA
10,000	5/8 inch flanged	100
12,000	¾ inch flanged	100

Lug Nut Torque – Aluminum Wheels
Rim Size Stud Size	Dry Torque	Foot-pounds
15 inch 5 or 6 hole)	½ inch	NA
16 inch (8 hole)	½ inch	NA

Dry Torque Foot-pounds is determined by manufacturer.

Due to HAZ-MAT Shipping restrictions, the cost for us to ship paint in small quantities out weighs the cost of the paint itself. Most dealers will have touch up paint on hand that you can purchase.

If you provide us the serial # of the trailer we will be more than happy to mail/fax you a formula that you can take to a Sherwin Williams Paint dealer and have it mixed up by them. Some of these dealers may have a method of matching paint exactly from a scan of the trailer frame itself. Our paint formulas will be as the trailer was when it left the factory, it will not count for fade or any repaints of the trailer.

Sorry, ProStar Trailers is a Dealer Only manufacturer. If your local trailer dealer doesn't carry ProStar Trailers, let us know and we will be able to direct you to your nearest dealer. (419)225-8806