You likely possess a deal of knowledge, about tires from maintaining your car. However, this understanding may cause some uncertainty when it comes to trailer tires. Are they similar to the tires on your vehicle? Should they undergo balancing?. What is their typical lifespan, like? This blog addresses seven questions regarding trailer tires.

1. Do Trailer Tires Need to Be Balanced?

The Quick Answer: No.

The Detailed Explanation:

You don’t have to balance trailer tires unless you want to ensure a ride for passengers behind the tow vehicle! Trailer tires are mainly there to bear the load. May not need balancing like car tires do for a driving experience. If you’re driving an RV along the highway though, it might be an idea to balance tires to minimize any vibrations you may feel. If it’s a utility trailer intended for use with minimal highway driving having perfectly balanced tires may not be as vital.

2. What is the Load Range on a Trailer Tire?

The Quick Answer: Load range tells you the weight capacity of the tire.

The Detailed Explanation:

The load capacity of a tire is indicated by a letter, like B C, or D. For example, a load range D tire can carry more weight than a load range B tire of the size.

Important Considerations:

• Load range varies by tire size, meaning that a 175/80-13 load range B tire might have a 1,100-lb capacity, while a 205/75-14 load range B tire might have a 1,430-lb capacity.
• If you want to upgrade to tires with a higher load capacity, the other components of the trailer, such as the wheels and axles, also have weight limits. You’ll be limited by the component with the lowest weight limit. Upgrading to a higher-capacity tire doesn’t necessarily increase the load capacity of your trailer.
• Higher-capacity tires are usually more expensive.

3. Can I Use Trailer Tires on My Car/Truck (Or Vice Versa?)

The Quick Answer: No (excluding light truck tires).

The Detailed Explanation:

ST (Special Trailer ) tires are custom-made to handle the weight and turning stresses of trailers whereas P ( Passenger ) tires have sidewalls that are more pliant and are crafted for the comfort and steering of passengers. It is typically not advised to interchange them since they serve functions.

Exceptions:

LT (Light Truck ) tires are occasionally employed for trailers and fifth wheels due, to their sidewalls.

Reasons to use LT tires on trailers:

• LT tires are typically available locally at affordable prices.
• They usually have higher speed ratings than ST tires.

Remember this point – if you opt for LT tires for your vehicle’s needs make sure they can handle the weight they need to carry.

4. How Long Do Trailer Tires Last?

The Quick Answer: 3-6 years.

The Detailed Explanation:

It is usually recommended to change your trailer tires every 3 to 5 years on average for maintenance and safety purposes; nonetheless, the primary concern with these tires lies in their tendency to remain stationary for periods without being used which can lead to various issues such as.

• Flat spots
• Dry rot
• Deterioration due to oxidation

When kept in a garage tires can still be affected by rot and flat spots. Experts advise replacing tires that are between 5 to 10 years old or have traveled 10k to 12k miles regardless of their appearance.

How to Determine the Age of Your Trailer Tires

You can figure out how old your tires are by checking the DOT (Department of Transportation) ID number on the side of the tire. The last four digits of the code show when the tire was made. For instance, if it says “0418 ” that means it was made in the week of 2018.

5. Why Do My Trailer Tires Keep Blowing Out?

The Quick Answer: You’re probably making a mistake.

The Detailed Explanation:

Common causes of tire blowouts:

• Excessive heat caused by underinflation Aside from checking the PSI with a tire pressure gauge, you can look at the wear patterns on your tires. Uneven wear on the outer edges of the tire could mean it’s underinflated.
• Overloading the tire
• Exceeding the speed ratingThe speed rating is listed on the sidewall of the tire.
• Flat spots or sidewall rubbingThis could be a sign of clearance or braking problems.
• Bent spindles(less common)

The tire showing wear in the center, probably indicates that it has been overinflated, as tires are expected to wear when inflated and aligned correctly.

6. Why Are Trailer Tires Bias Ply?

The Quick Answer: They’re not (at least not all of them).

The Detailed Explanation:

There are two kinds of tires. Bias and radial are distinguished by their construction.

• Bias ply tiresThe cords inside run at a 32-degree angle to the direction of travel.
• Radial tiresThe cords run at a 90-degree angle, across the tire from wheel lip to wheel lip.

Radial tires offer flexibility that improves ground contact and traction while also providing stability and tread wear durability compared to bias ply tires. They are known to run at temperatures and have a lifespan making them a popular choice for highway driving. Off-road enthusiasts prefer bias ply tires due to their sidewalls which are beneficial for rugged terrains and adventurous journeys.

Remember it’s crucial not to mix bias and radial tires on a trailer as it can lead to wear and tracking issues.

7. How Can You Protect Trailer Tires from Dry Rot?

The Quick Answer: Work them and then wrap them.

The Detailed Explanation:

Steps to protect tires from dry rot:

• Use a wheel cover when your trailer is not in useThis protects the tires from UV rays, water, and dirt.
• Jack up your tiresAlternatively, park on plywood boards to keep your tires off the ground when you’re not using the trailer.
• Ensure tires are properly inflatedUse a tire pressure gauge or tire pressure monitoring system to check, as trailer tires can look fine even when underinflated.
• For long-term storage, remove your tiresStore them in a cool, dark place.

What causes dry rot?

• Excessive heat and sun
• Lack of use
• Underinflation

Go Trailer: Your Reliable Trailer Tire Supplier

Go Trailer is a manufacturer of trailer components located in Qingdao, China with more than 15 years of experience in the trailer tire and wheel industry. The company’s expertise lies in producing top-notch trailer parts such as jockey wheels, winches, couplers, and axles as well as springs. They are also known for crafting trailers, like boat trailers, cage trailers, and car trailers.

Quality Assurance and Product Range

At Go Trailer they employ engineers, seasoned welders, proficient workers, markers, and a range of production machinery to make notch product standards. They operate a trailer manufacturing line with electrocoating and painting facilities on site.

Why Choose Go Trailer?

Advantages of choosing Go Trailer:

• CapabilityGo Trailer has over 15 years of experience in manufacturing trailer parts and trailers.
• Quality GuaranteedThey have highly automated production equipment and experienced professionals to ensure high-quality products.
• Price CompetitivenessWorking directly with Go Trailer allows you to avoid dealers and get competitive prices on trailer parts.
• On-Time DeliveryGo Trailer is committed to timely delivery and excellent customer service.
• After-Service GuaranteedThey offer after-sales service support, including the replacement of defective products.

At the Go Trailers store you can find everything you need for trailers in one place! They boast of being a leading manufacturer of trailer parts, and are dedicated to upholding safety standards and delivering high-quality products with integrity in all their business dealings.