HOW TO CHANGE OR REPLACE A TRAILER TIRE

1. WHY DO YOU NEED TO CHANGE A TRAILER TIRE?

Your trailer tire will need to be changed for several reasons. Some of the reasons why you will need to change your tire are explained below.

1.1 Flat tire: The most common reason most people change their trailer tire is deflation. Having a flat tire is nothing to worry about; It will happen to most of us at some point. Flats can occur from preventable and non-preventable causes. However, there are maintenance checks that can reduce the occurrence of deflated tires. The most common reasons why trailer tire deflates are as follows.

• Punctures: punctures are one of the most common yet seemingly unavoidable causes of having a flat tire. A hole can occur when you drive over a sharp object, such as a nail or broken glass. For instance, if you unknowingly go over a pin. It can get stuck to your tire, creating a tiny hole, slowly leaking air till your tire becomes flat. It is best to avoid driving over sharp objects when you can.
• Gradual air loss: gradual deflation of tires occurs naturally over time, even when your trailer is not in use. Your tireloses about two pounds of air monthly in a cold-weather; this number increases rapidly in hot weather. If you ignore this gradual air loss in your tire, it can become wholly deflated or render the tire unfit for use. It is your responsibility as a trailer owner to reinflate their tires regularly to compensate for gradual air loss that can harm the tire’s life.

1.2 Aging: Just like humans, your tires also age. However, unlike humans, your tire needs to be replaced when they are old or worn out. The average life span of a new trailer tire is five years with routine maintenance and use. However, your tires can last longer or lesser depending on how often they are used. The following are signs of an aging trailer tire that needs replacement.

• Check the Tire tread: the tread of your tire is one of the most crucial parts of your tire. It grips the road, provides traction to keep your trailer moving, and prevents it from sliding off the road. Carefully look at all the treads of the tires for signs of uneven wear.
• Your tires come equipped with indicators for checking how worn they are. These indicators are raised sections in the bottom of your tread grooves, informing you when it is time to switch your tires.

• Manufacture date: The date your tirewas manufactured is always included on the tire. On the side of your tire is a date code after the DOT I.D. The manufacture date is usually four numbers. The first 2 numbers indicate the week the tire was manufactured, while the last two digits indicate the year. You should change your tire if it has been manufactured up to seven years ago.

1.3 Wrong Tire Usage: using the right tire for your vehicle is essential. Using the wrong tire is dangerous and a health hazard to the driver and other road users. Some trailer owners think it is acceptable to use smaller vehicle tires on their trailer to cut costs; this is dangerous. Some of the common signs that you are using the wrong tire for your trailer are discussed below.

• Irregular rub wear:this occurs when you use tires that are too wide for your trailer; this can result in the tires rubbing against the trailer’s fender. The constant friction between the tire and the trailer’s body can lead to irregular wear at the edges or sides of the tires.
• Trailer swaying while loaded: it is normal to have a certain amount of sway or bumpiness when your trailer is empty. The load a trailercarries add to its stability. However, when a trailer sways excessively while loaded, that might indicate that you are not using the right tires for your trailer. Sidewalls of vehicle tires are flexible to provide comfort to travelers, while those made for trailers are rigid to improve balance.
• Rate of wear:vehicle tires are not made for heavy-duty haulage like trailer tires, so they tend to wear quickly when used on a trailer. If your tires are wearing out quickly, they might be for vehicles rather than trailers.

1.4 Effect of Weathering: tires are also affected by exposure to weather conditions. A trailer is parked outside with constant sun exposure and other weather conditions, is prone to damage compared to one kept indoors. The sun bakes the tires all day – for an extended period. The constant exposure to weather conditions can cause the tire to crack. It would be best if you considered swapping your tires once you notice cracks in them.

1.5 Low Air Pressure: Uninflated or under-inflated tires are not in a state of optimal internal pressure. Due to the pressure disparity inside the tire, it tends to heat up fairly quickly to the point of overheating. Overheating rate is even faster when the trailer is loaded. The rapid heating and subsequent cooling of the tires can lead to tire damage. It will be best if you gauge your tires regularly and reinflate them when needed.