Keep an Eye on Your Tires
Before each tow, you should be checking many things on your trailer, especially your tires. Tires can be expensive to replace, especially if you have a blowout on the side of the road.
Watch Your Tire Wear – It Can Tell You Many Things.
Many factors can come into play as to why you may have uneven tire wear that can lead to these blow-outs. Such as low tire pressure, tire balance, worn bearings, and more can attribute to tire wear issues like those shown in the “Tire Wear Chart” on this page.
Tire Pressure
Be sure to check the tire pressure to make sure it is at the level indicated on the tire sidewall or VIN label. Tire pressure must be checked while the tire is cold. Do not check tire pressure immediately after towing the trailer. Allow at least three hours for the tires to cool, if the trailer has been towed for as much as one mile. Tires can lose air over a period of time. Replace the tire before towing the trailer if the tire treads have less than 2/32 inch depth or the telltale bands are visible. A bubble, cut or bulge in a sidewall can result in a tire blowout. Inspect both sidewalls of each tire for any bubble, cut or bulge; and replace a damaged tire before towing the trailer. If you are storing your trailer for an extended period, make sure the tires are inflated to the maximum rated pressure indicated on the sidewall or VIN label and that you store them in a cool, dry place such as a garage. Use tire covers to protect the tires from the harsh effects of the sun.
Information courtesy of NATM (National Association of Trailer Manufactures)
For more information like this go to Felling FAQ – Parts Service.
Great graphic! Tire wear is really an important thing to look out for, be it on cars or trailers. I think we’ve all seen someone with a tire-related disaster on the highway. It’s definitely something you want to avoid. This reminds me–I should probably check up on my tires.
bookmarked!!, I love your web site!
Thanks for finally writing about >Tire Wear – what to watch for – Felling Trailers <Loved it!
You have some great information here about tire wear. I didn’t know that there were so many ways for the tread to wear down! It’s pretty cool how you can just look at the tire and be able to tell what problem your car has though. I need to learn these different signs.