What landing gear does, and why it fails
The two landing gear legs hold the front of the trailer up whenever it is dropped from the tractor. They carry the weight of the nose and often part of the load, and they are connected by a cross shaft so both legs raise and lower together. They take hard drops, uneven yard surfaces, gravel, salt and the occasional hit from a tractor backing under. Over time the legs bend, the welds at the mounting plate crack, and the crank and gearbox wear out or seize.
Problems we see, and what usually fixes them
- Bent or buckled leg after a hard drop: sometimes straightened and reinforced; replaced if it is too far gone.
- Cracked weld at the mounting plate or bracket: the crack is ground out, re-welded and reinforced. If the plate is torn, a new mounting plate is welded on.
- Torn cross braces and diagonal braces: cut out and replaced with new steel, then welded square.
- Broken sand shoes and feet: usually a simple repair or replacement of the foot.
- Seized or broken crank handle, gearbox or cross shaft: repaired or replaced so both legs move together again.
Repair or replace: how to decide
- Repair makes sense when the leg is straight or only slightly bent, the steel is sound, and the damage is a crack, a broken brace or a worn crank.
- Replace makes sense when the leg is badly buckled, the tube is rusted thin, the gear has been straightened before, or the mounting area is too damaged to hold a weld. Welding on thin or tired steel does not last, and a leg that folds while the trailer is dropped can damage the floor, the frame and whatever is loaded.
- Replace both sides may be worth discussing if one leg failed from age or rust, since the other leg has seen the same loads and the same salt.
We make this call from the steel itself, not from the cheaper-looking option. If we think a repair will not hold, we will say so.
What to photograph before you call
- Both legs, standing back so the whole leg is visible.
- The crank side and the gearbox.
- The mounting plate and braces where the leg meets the trailer frame, close up.
- Anything bent, cracked or shiny at a weld.
Send them by WhatsApp to 437-985-7311 or by text. We tell you whether it is a repair or a replacement and give you a price before any work starts.
If the trailer is loaded or stuck
A trailer with a collapsed leg is a trailer you cannot drop or hook. Because our welding truck comes to you, this can usually be handled in your yard, at the dock or at a customer site, with no towing. We support the trailer safely before removing a damaged leg, so tell us what is loaded and where it is parked. If the unit is somewhere unsafe, call 437-985-7311 rather than message.
Other damage near the landing gear
A hard drop that bends a leg can also stress the parts around it. While the trailer is being looked at, it is worth checking the underside of the nose for cracked floor supports (see our guide on a cracked trailer cross member) and, on aluminum trailers, for cracks near the mounting plate; aluminum trailer welding needs a different process from steel. If the front wall or side panels took a knock too, see trailer roof and side panel repair.
Keeping landing gear healthy
- Lower the trailer onto firm ground or a pad where you can, not soft or sloped gravel.
- Grease and operate the crank regularly so the gearbox does not seize.
- Do not use the landing gear to lift or drag a trailer.
- Check the braces and mounting plate for cracks at every inspection, and fix small cracks early.
Related work: trailer landing gear repair, mobile trailer welding and trailer welding & fabrication. We serve Brampton, Mississauga, Toronto, Vaughan and Milton.
Frequently asked questions
Can landing gear be repaired, or does it always need replacing?
Often it can be repaired. Bent or buckled legs can sometimes be straightened and reinforced, and cracked brackets or braces can be welded and plated. When a leg is too far gone, we replace it and weld new mounts and bracing so it sits square.
Can you replace landing gear on a loaded trailer?
In many cases yes. We support the trailer safely before removing the old leg. Tell us what is loaded and where the trailer is parked when you call.
Do you fix the crank, gearbox and cross shaft too?
Yes. We repair broken crank handles, seized gearboxes and the cross shaft that connects both legs.
How long does a landing gear job take?
A straightforward weld repair is often done in a few hours on site. A full leg replacement depends on parts, which we confirm when we quote.
How much does landing gear repair cost?
We do not guess prices from a description. Send photos of both legs, the crank side and the mounting plate to 437-985-7311 by WhatsApp or text. You get a price before any work starts, and an itemized invoice afterwards.
Do I need to tow the trailer to you?
No. Our welding truck comes to the yard, dock or customer site, so the trailer can stay where it is parked. We serve Brampton, Mississauga, Toronto, Vaughan and Milton.
Related guides
More Baaz Welding guides · Cracked trailer cross member · Landing gear repair