Trailer Tire Safety Tips
Trailer Tires Safety Tips You Should Know
It’s not really a stretch to say that when you’re hauling a travel trailer—or an RV trailer, or a boat trailer, or even a small camper trailer—the best travel trailer tires are crucial. Though it sounds like a “Dad joke,” to say that everything is riding on your tires, it’s nevertheless true. Your tires can spell the difference between getting safely to your destination, and not. That’s why the tire experts here at Treadworld have put together a few trailer tire road safety tips for you to keep in mind when you’re hauling a travel trailer, to get your there safely.
Visually Inspect Each Tire Before You Head Out
Along with the air pressure and tread characteristics (see below), it’s very important to take a good look at each tire before you hit the road. Check for sidewall cracking which can be caused by overexposure to the elements or chemicals, sidewall bulging, generally caused by an unnatural impact, uneven tread wear which can be caused by alignment or suspension issues, camber wear which is when the inside or the outside of the tread has considerably more wear indicated the wheel is tilting during operation, and full tread separation, which can occur when a tire overheats. All of these issues can lead to a sudden loss of pressure and a potentially hazardous situation for you and your passengers, as well as other drivers.
Maintain Proper PSI with Your Travel Trailer Tires
It probably won’t surprise you that the main cause of failure when it comes to trailer tires is under inflation. Under-inflated tires can dramatically reduce load-carrying capacity and lead to blowouts due to the excessive heat that’s created. Inflate trailer tires to the maximum PSI (pounds per square inch) indicated on the sidewall before you start out. Evaluate the pressure when the tires are cool and have not been exposed to the sun because the sun’s radiant rays can temporarily, artificially, increase the reading. And keep in mind that trailer tires can lose pressure on the road. A rule of thumb states that for every 10-degree change in air temperature, the air pressure in your trailer tires will change 1 PSI. And a 5 PSI loss is enough to cause you problems in handling, traction and of course, durability. On the other hand, over-inflated tires aren’t good either as they can affect the handling characteristics of your trailer, as well as your tow vehicle. Proper air pressure allows the tires to wear evenly, promotes better gas mileage, and improves both your ride and your safety. Keep a cap on the valve stem to prevent contamination of its internal rubber valve, and if you lose yours, pick up a new one
Keep an Eye on Your Trailer Tires Tread
As you know, tire tread is essential to making solid contact with the road, helping your tires to shed water and provide good traction. A rule of thumb for evaluating the tread on your tires requires a quarter and a penny. If, when you insert the quarter into the tread, the top of Washington’s head disappears, you’re good. That indicates the tire has at least 4/32” of tread, which is safe for continued use. If you can see the top of Washington’s head, the tire is too worn to be dependable, and you should start thinking about replacement. Then take the penny and repeat the process. If you can see above Lincoln’s head your tires have less than 2/32” of tread, which is below the legal minimum and means you need IMMEDIATE trailer tire replacement.
Storing Your Travel Trailer Tires
The elements degrade tires, so it is best to store the tires in a cool, dark, dry place with tire covers to protect your trailer tires from the harsh effects of the sun. Clean them with a soft scrub brush and mild detergent. Store them at optimal inflation. If possible, put your trailer on blocks to take the weight off your tires, or use think plywood sections between your tires and the pavement. If storage is long-term, move the trailer every three months to avoid flat spotting.
Don’t Overload Your Travel Trailer or Your Tires
Surely this won’t surprise you, but overloading the capacity of your tires will put undue strain on them, eventually leading to at least one blow-out. Don’t exceed the load capacity of your tires, and your trailer either for that matter. Also, make sure your load is balanced. Generally, you’ll want 60% of your trailer load toward the vehicle’s hitch and 40% toward the rear, with the load evenly spread out from side to side. On the other hand, over-inflated tires aren’t good either as they can affect the handling characteristics of your trailer, as well as your tow vehicle. Proper air pressure allows the tires to wear evenly, promotes better gas mileage, and improves both your ride and your safety. Keep a cap on the valve stem to prevent contamination of its internal rubber valve, and if you lose yours, pick up a new one
Take Care of Your Trailer Tires, and They’ll Take Care of You
Sure, it’s trite, but it’s true: taking the time to treat your tires right, before, during and after your road trip, will pay dividends in the form of hassle-free transport.
Have a Spare Trailer Tire at Hand
You don’t really need an explanation for this one, right? Just think about getting a flat tire and not having a spare to put on. What do you do? Who do you call? How long will that take? Have a spare, and keep it in good shape and properly inflated because the alternative will be a hassle you don’t want to experience.
When Do Trailer Tires Need Replacing?
The life expectancy of a tire varies from manufacturer to manufacturer and according to use, but what you need to know is that you may very well want to replace your trailer tires before they wear out and the tread disappears. Tire experts have estimated that one-third of a tire’s strength dissipates in the first three years. Some say tires need to be replaced, regardless of wear, after five years. Other say seven to eight years. The point is, that when it comes to replacing trailer tires, age is more important than wear. And the way they’ve been used—properly inflated, driven at moderate speeds, little exposure to the sun, loads well within suggested limits—are more important than both. On the other hand, over-inflated tires aren’t good either as they can affect the handling characteristics of your trailer, as well as your tow vehicle. Proper air pressure allows the tires to wear evenly, promotes better gas mileage, and improves both your ride and your safety. Keep a cap on the valve stem to prevent contamination of its internal rubber valve, and if you lose yours, pick up a new one
If You Feel the Need for Speed, Ditch Your Travel Trailer
Most trailer tires have a maximum speed rating of 55-75 miles per hour. That rating is a maximum, not a recommendation for how fast you should travel—which should be dictated by conditions and your comfort level. High speeds can cause increased wear on tires due to more friction between them and road, which generates heat and raises the tires’ temperature—which can lead to tire failure that puts your rig, and your family, in jeopardy. And of course, the faster you’re driving, the longer distance you’ll need for stopping. On the other hand, over-inflated tires aren’t good either as they can affect the handling characteristics of your trailer, as well as your tow vehicle. Proper air pressure allows the tires to wear evenly, promotes better gas mileage, and improves both your ride and your safety. Keep a cap on the valve stem to prevent contamination of its internal rubber valve, and if you lose yours, pick up a new one
When You Need Trailer Tires, Look No Further than Treadworld
When you’re looking for new trailer tires, or a spare trailer tire, count on us here at Treadworld to provide you with the high-performing, long-lasting trailer tires you want, in a wide range of styles and a huge selection of sizes. All our RubberMaster Trailer Tires are manufactured to strict tolerances from top rubber compounds, then triple-tested for quality, balance and uniformity before being X-rayed to be sure they’re perfect. Easy ordering, fast shipping plus your satisfaction is guaranteed with our no-hassle Ultimate Advantage Warranty. Don’t hesitate to contact our tire experts via live chat or email with any questions you may have, and to get the ideal trailer tires —or the perfect ATV tires, UTV tires, lawn and garden tires, and many others—from our extensive selection.
