What You Should Know About Trailer Tires

Trailers have many different uses, whether for business or pleasure. You can tow just about anything; a camper, a boat, horses, jet skis, the list goes on and on. Regardless of what you are towing, there are some things you should know about trailer tires in order to keep you and your cargo safe.

Load Carrying Capacity

Trailer tires are designed to be able to support a certain amount of weight. The axle of your trailer is also designed to support a certain amount of weight. It is important that your tires meet or exceed the weight limit of your trailer’s axle. To be safe, it’s better to make sure that the tire capacity exceeds the gross vehicle weight of the axle by at least 20%.

Proper Tire Inflation

It’s very important to make sure that your trailer tires are inflated to the proper air pressure. Under inflated tires are the biggest cause of tire failure and you probably won’t be able to tell if your tires are under inflated just by looking at them. Trailer tires have stiff sidewalls so the tires don’t sag the same way a tire on your car would if it was underinflated. A trailer tire might have a recommended air pressure of 50 PSI but even at just 15 to 20 PSI, it will not be visibly obvious that the tire is underinflated.

To make sure your tires are properly inflated, you need to check them with a pressure gauge. The recommended air pressure should be embossed on the sidewall of the tire. It’s important to check the air pressure when the tires are cool. If the tires have been exposed to the sun or if you have been driving down the road, the tires will be warm and that will cause the air inside to expand which will increase the pressure. If your tires are hot when you are checking the air pressure, add three PSI to the maximum inflation.

Speed

ST tires that are designed to be used with trailers have a maximum speed rating of 65 mph. It’s important that you do not drive faster than that because driving faster will cause more heat to buildup and heat will begin to degrade and weaken your tires.

When to Change Your Tires

When it comes to cars and trucks, many people will check the tread depth and use that as an indication of when they should change their tires. Unless you are using your trailer every day, the tread probably won’t wear out very much before the tire should be changed. A trailer tire will last approximately 3 to 5 years and it should be changed even if there is plenty of tread left.

Most trailer tires may only travel 10,000 miles per year, and many times much less than that. The tread may look fine but UV radiation from the sun, oxidation, exposure to exhaust gases, and even just sitting in one place for long periods of time, will cause damage inside the tires that cannot be seen. Replace your trailer tires every 3 to 5 years even if there is no visible damage.

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