Keeping Your Trailer’s Tires Healthy
Whether your trailer helps you out professionally, makes moving to a new home easier, or just gets your vehicles where you want them, you rely on it—and it relies on its tires. As obvious as it may sound, it’s vital that you keep up with your trailer’s tires to ensure it stays functional and safe.
We here at Lone Star Trailers want to help you care for your trailer, so we’ve put together some basic trailer tire maintenance tips, below. To learn more, or if you’re in need of new tires altogether, contact our store in Lacy Lakeview, Texas, today!
Inflation Level
Your tires require a certain amount of air inside them to maintain the proper air pressure, measured in psi (pounds per square inch). If they’re underfilled, they may drag on the ground and catch sharp objects, but overfilling is just as dangerous—tires that are too full may skid and strain more. Both scenarios can lead to blowouts, which are incredibly dangerous and inconvenient.
Make sure to keep a tire pressure gauge with you, in the trailer, or in your usual tow vehicle at all times. Check your tire pressure regularly, preferably in the morning when it’s cooler out. Compare the reading to manufacturer recommendations in your owner’s manual and adjust as needed.
Tread Level
Your trailer’s tires also rely on the tread, which is the thicker patterned rubber pattern that makes contact with the road. Tread will always wear down naturally over time, so it’s important to stay aware of how thick it is and how thick your owner’s manual requires it to be. If the tread gets too low, you’ll need to replace the tire to avoid skidding and blowouts.
Also verify that the tread is wearing down evenly on all tires. If one side wears down faster than the other, that may indicate an alignment issue, which would require an immediate maintenance visit.
Cargo Loading and Distribution
The way you load up your trailer can have an impact on its tires, as well. First and foremost, make sure to never overburden your trailer. The Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) on your trailer indicates the total amount of weight it can handle safely. Exceeding that weight limit is both illegal and highly dangerous.
You should also be careful about where you place the cargo and how it’s distributed. You want an even distribution from left to right to keep tires on one side from straining more than the others, and you should aim for a 60/40 split from front to back. Place 60% of the weight in front of the main axle and 40% behind it, since the front of the trailer is partially supported by the tow vehicle, making it sturdier.
We hope these tips help! For more information, or to see the trailer tires and other parts we have available, contact us at Lone Star Trailers. We proudly serve Waco and Temple, Texas—let us serve you today!