Proper Care For Your Trailer Tires
You may not pay much attention to them, but your trailer tires play a crucial role in hauling your cargo from one place to the next. To prevent spendy replacements on the road and avoid safety issues, it’s important that you properly care for your tires.
To help you out, we at Mountain West Trailers have rounded up everything you need to know about maintaining your trailer tires. For all your trailer needs, come on down to our dealership in Heber City, Utah. We proudly serve all our friends from Salt Lake City!
Preventing Wear
It’s natural for trailer tires to experience some wear and tear as they go from one place to another. Usually, they’re pretty sturdy, so very few stock trailers will need to have their tires replaced due to regular use. There are certain things that can cause faster or more uneven wear, though.
Correct Inflation
If you don’t inflate your trailer tires properly, they won’t be able to cope with the forces pressing down on them. This speeds up their wear, so you’ll need to replace them more often, which is both expensive and an unnecessary hassle. Fortunately, it’s easy to avoid this by simply measuring your tire pressure regularly. It’s best to do this before every trip because several factors, such as outside temperature, can affect your air pressure in between trips.
To do this correctly, you’ll need a tire pressure gauge. These are easy to find, cheap to buy and take up little storage space. Try to use the tire pressure gauge in the morning when the tires are cold to get the most accurate reading. To learn more about proper inflation, check your owner’s manual, which will list the specific psi levels that the manufacturer recommends for your tires.
Axle Health
A common issue that causes tire problems is a bent axle. If you can’t figure out what exactly is causing your trailer tires to wear out faster, take your trailer in for maintenance. Even if it isn’t the axle, if you’ve ruled out the more common issues, it might need a professional’s opinion.
Weather
The third most common issue that leads to tire wear is the weather. When your tires sit outside for hours on end, they’re exposed to the harsh rays of the sun, which can cause damage, including cracking your sidewalls. If you can, store your trailer in an enclosed area to protect it from the elements. If you can’t, then inspect the tires regularly for signs of weather damage.
Storage
Another frequent problem you can face is due to poor previous storage. This is especially true when you buy used trailers where the previous owner didn’t store the vehicle well or didn’t maintain it properly. The tires could have been neglected for years, which can lead to dry rot and cracking.
Excessive Weight on Tires
Trailer tires bear a high amount of force that pushes down on them. Each trailer has its load capacity and it’s essential that you don’t overload your trailer as this puts more weight on your tires than they can handle. Your trailer will have a number called the Gross Combined Weight Rating, which tells you how much weight your trailer can take. This, in turn, tells you how much weight your tires can handle. Also, keep the weight distribution equal across the tires. An unbalanced load can lead to a blowout.
The Types of Tires
There are many different types of tires and the ones you use for your trailer will have a real impact on your trips. Radial tires are the safest bet as they give the best results, improve traction, last longer and even boost fuel efficiency. Special trailer tires have stiffer sidewalls that reduce sway as you drive. If you’re unsure of the best tires for your trailer, you can ask us to help you make the right choice.
We hope you found this guide helpful! For all your trailer needs, visit Mountain West Trailers in Heber City, Utah. We welcome all our patrons from Salt Lake City to call or come over today!