Safely Maintaining Trailer Tires

Your trailer carries a heavy burden (literally) and it’s up to you to keep it well-maintained so it can continue to do so. Trailer tire maintenance is something a lot of people neglect or forget about, which can lead to disastrous results. Well-maintained tires are less likely to fail or cause accidents due to disrepair.

Properly maintained tires will serve you safely for miles to come. Check out our advice below to learn how to get the most out of your trailer and tires.

A quick summary on how to take care of your trailer tires:

• Keep your trailer tires at the proper air pressure

• Store tires in a cool, dry place–preferably covered– when not in use

• Regularly inspect your tires for signs of wear and damage

• Pay attention to your tire’s speed and weight restrictions

Were you actually looking to purchase trailer tires? We’ve got you covered.

AIR PRESSURE FOR TRAILER TIRES

Air pressure is how your tires support the weight of your trailer. The correct air pressure has a direct impact on performance (wet and dry), fuel efficiency, treadwear, and of course, safety.

The stakes for safety get even higher while you are towing, so make sure you keep an eye on your tire’s PSI.

• Improperly inflated tires risk damage or may be unable to properly carry a load.

• Check your tire’s pressure when it is cool to the touch (and not right after driving) to ensure an accurate reading.

  • If you do need to check the tire when it’s warm from use, add 3 PSI over the maximum inflation to compensate for the increased pressure from heat build-up.

Should trailer tires be inflated to max PSI?

Trailer tires should be inflated to the maximum inflation designated on the tire’s sidewall in order to reach full load carrying capacity. Remember, it’s the air within your tire that’s actually carrying the weight!

Many trailers now come with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) (like your car tires) which are handy to detect underinflation and prevent blowouts. Most (if not all) are even capable of monitoring temperature.

TRAILER TIRE WEIGHT RATING

Making sure you’re not overloading your trailer is extremely important in keeping you, your load and other motorists safe. It also will help your trailer and tires live longer.

Check out our page on tire load index and load range for more information on how to read your tire’s sidewall for important weight limits.

Some other things to keep in mind:

• All tires should be identical in size, brand, model and load in order to properly manage the weight of the trailer.

• To safely distribute the weight of the trailer and load, tires must have the combined load carrying capacity to meet or exceed the weight of the trailer.

• If a tire fails on a tandem axle trailer, replace both tires on that side as the remaining tire is likely to have been subjected to excessive loading and stress.

• If tires are replaced with larger diameter tires, the tongue height of your trailer may need to be adjusted to maintain proper weight distribution.

TRAILER TIRE SERVICES

Maintaining your trailer tires goes a long way in ensuring load and driver safety as well as extending service life. Use America's Tire’s many free services to keep your trailer in tip-top shape!

If you prefer to have professionals take care of your trailer tires, we’re here to help. Make an appointment today. We’ll get you taken care of. Walk-ins are also welcome!

Always inspect your tires for cuts, snags, punctures or bulges before beginning to tow or haul a load. Pay attention to your tire’s tire pressure, too.

Rotating trailer tires

Trailer tire rotation is a much-debated subject. Some argue it’s unnecessary, but many find it helps in reducing uneven tread wear and extending the service life of their tires.

While scheduled rotations are not necessarily recommended for trailer tires, they can be useful in maximizing tire life for your trailer tires in cases where uneven tread wear exists.

If you notice uneven tread wear on your trailer tires, we recommend bringing it to your local America's Tire store for a tire inspection. There are many causes of uneven wear, such as improper loading, improper axle alignment or drag in your trailer. Your technician may recommend rotating your tires in some instances.

Should trailer tires be balanced?

Yes, your trailer tires should be balanced.

Tire balancing helps prevent vibration and hopping, which contributes to premature wear and early tire replacement.

Regular inspection and maintenance puts your trailer in front of experienced professionals who can spot early signs of potential issues or damage.

Trailer tire storage

Storing your trailer tires properly will go a long way toward ensuring they last as long as possible. Improperly stored tires are prone to dry rot.

Store them in a cool, dark garage with the minimum tire inflation. Keep material between the tire and the pavement, like a thin piece of plywood, so the tread or sidewall (if laid flat) does not touch the ground. Tire covers are helpful in protecting tires if stored in direct sunlight.

See also…

Want more info on trailer tires? You’ve come to the right place.

Let’s get you rolling

Has all this trailer talk gotten you thinking about your next set of truck or SUV tires? No problem; we have the largest inventory of the best available tires (at the best prices, too).

If you don’t know where to begin, we recommend starting with Treadwell. This smart tire buying guide will pair you with the best tires for you, your vehicle and your drive in a minute or less. It’s the same great tool we use in-store to recommend the best tires possible. It allows you to shop and compare options that are track tested and backed by useful tire performance data like stopping distance and cost per mile.

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For more information on this and other tire and wheel services, check out our YouTube Channel or reach out to us on X, Facebook and Instagram.