Trailers are a popular form of cargo transport. They have the right capacity to transport sizeable loads over a long distance. Apart from their engine, trailers have specially designed tires that make it possible to transport large cargo.
So, can you plug trailer tires? You can plug a trailer tire but it is recommended that only professionals work on it because any wrong move can result in catastrophic consequences. Also, it is vital to have your trailer tires regularly checked by an experienced professional for any structural problems. This will help prevent punctures that could cause accidents.
Trailers are prone to tire issues given their extensive work; traveling over long distances with massive loads. Like any other vehicle, it is possible to fix tire problems on a trailer. However, you need to take precautionary measures because any slight mistake can result in stability problems.
You can plug trailer tires but it is crucial to have a professional handle it to ensure competency. Trailers need tires to be in optimal condition to guarantee stability. Handling the plugging inappropriately can jeopardize the integrity of trailer tires. As a result, the tire can easily move out of position when driving at high speed.
This endangers not only your life but that of other road users. To enlighten you on the importance of having a professional handle a tire plug, this section discusses some of the risks you are exposed to with a badly plugged trailer tire.
A poorly plugged trailer tire could result in a blowout later down the road. If you are not an experienced driver to handle the impact, you are likely to run into other vehicles due to loss of direction. Besides, when you don’t plug the trailer tire correctly, you could void its warranty.
Some manufacturers want you to have a professional handle the plugging process. If you handle the repair on your own and it ends up causing more damage, your warranty will not apply. This will significantly impact your repair expenses.
Given your insufficient experience in trailer tire repair, the plug will not seal both outside and inside of the tire. Such cases will only worsen the tire condition. Due to such reasons, several tire manufacturers, including Bridgestone and Goodyear, list unprofessional tire repair as one of the reasons to void a tire warranty.
This means that if you handle the repairs on your own and it ends up faulty, you won’t be eligible for the warranty. Therefore, it is better to have a licensed mechanic handle the tire plug. Ensure that your mechanic handles the repair process while adhering to your warranty’s regulations.
According to Rubber Manufacturers Association, improper tire repair is defined as any tire that doesn’t follow the association’s guidelines and protocols. The RMA is the organization tasked with setting standards for tire repair, patches, plugs, and other roadside repairs.
When you go to a licensed tire repair shop, the affected area is first drilled out and paired with a corresponding size insert. In most cases, the tire professional uses an interior patch with the exterior enhanced to maximize protection.
When you follow all the above procedures and handle the plug properly, the repaired tire is said to be industry-approved or RMA accepted. It is also crucial to have a trailer tire adjusted to the correct industry standards. With the appropriate standards, you need to have a licensed professional complete the repairs to avoid having your warranty voided.
Undoubtedly, trailer tire damages always occur at the most inopportune time and miles from a licensed repair shop. Therefore, you need to ask yourself what you can do if you experience a tire problem in such circumstances.
The best thing to do if such a thing happens is to jack your trailer up and properly install the spare tire. If you have dual axles, using a jack is the best approach. Get the spare tire and use it to take the trailer to a repair shop where the damaged tire can be fixed and re-installed onto the trailer.
In situations like the one described; it is a good idea to pack the tools needed to install a spare tire on the roadside. It is also crucial to be more prepared for what to do in case of tire damage by familiarizing yourself with installation tools. Besides, always have a plan in case something goes wrong on travel. This is because you can never know when you are going to have an emergency tire problem.
Do I Need To Rotate My Trailer Tires?
One of the important factors to consider when it comes to maintaining trailers is their tires. Trailers need excellent tires to operate smoothly, meaning you have to ensure they are in good condition at all times. One concern trailer drivers have is whether or not they need to rotate tires.
You should rotate your trailer tires regularly. Like any vehicle, trailer tires suffer wear and tear from excessive use. This also includes uneven wear because of issues such as mechanical problems and unprofessional driving. Such issues accelerate tread wear.
Experts advise that you rotate your trailer tires after every 6,500 to 8,500 miles. If the tire manufacturer gives you more specific guidelines on when you should rotate the trailer tires, follow them. However, if you don’t use your trailer regularly, you don’t need to rotate them often.
Either way, ensure that you rotate them after some time because if you fail to do so, they could dry out and crack. When you drive on trailer tires, you keep them supple. Still, if you don’t drive your trailer regularly but it is parked in a place where its tires are exposed to UV rays, the need for rotation is high. This is because they could become unsafe even before you think of rotating them.
Tire rotations are essential for several reasons. For example, they are crucial for safety. If trailer tires wear unevenly, it becomes hard to drive the trailer due to instability. This also increases the chances of blowouts that often result in accidents. It is good to have trailer tires wear evenly because it reduces vibration while driving. This goes a long way in keeping you and other road users safe.
Furthermore, rotating trailer tires helps save money. The point of tire rotation is to get your trailer tires to wear evenly, making them last longer. The bigger the trailer, the bigger the savings when it comes to preventing tire replacement. Apart from maximizing tire life, tire rotation gives you a chance to evaluate them for any damages. You are more likely to spot a tire problem while rotating them than when you aren’t.
When rotating tires, you should pay maximum attention to all of them. Under normal circumstances, the front trailer tires often wear out first. This is because they are exposed to maximum brunt when turning. Therefore, you should rotate your front tires more often.
This should be the case, especially if the rear tires come in two’s, also known as “duallys”. While the rear trailer tires might last longer, you should also check on them regularly. This prevents unnecessary mechanical problems that could result in inconveniences.
There are several signs that will show your trailer tires need rotation. The best way to tell is by regularly checking your trailer tires. Apart from that, you should look out for warning signs that alert you of possible damages.
For instance, if you notice objects such as rocks and other debris lodged in the tire tread, it is time to rotate them. The presence of these objects is risky because it can throw the trailer off balance or cause added vibration while you drive. This will result in additional damage to your tires. They will also wear down at a fast rate.
Another sign that you need to rotate your trailer tires is the presence of bulges and sidewall cracks. In some cases, trailer tires get exposed to factors that trigger cracks or bulges. If you notice any of these, you should rotate your trailer tires.
This is vital because sidewall cracks can affect the stability of your trailer. Such cases often result in driving problems. Besides, if you notice that the trailer tire treads are becoming loose, you should think of rotating them. When tires are exposed to excessive wear and tear, treads become loose. Rotating them will help slow down the wearing process and improve their durability.
Will Trailer Tires Fit on Car Rims?
If you have a trailer and a standard vehicle, you might be tempted to use trailer tires on it. Some trailer users think it is possible to use these tires interchangeably, but is that possible? Knowing the answer to this question will help you make a better and more informed decision in the future.
Trailer tires cannot fit on car rims. This is because there are several factors that make them different. It is almost impossible to fit a trailer tire on car rims, given the huge difference in size. Generally, trailer tires are larger in size, making them hard to fit on a car rim.
You may have seen a good set of trailer tires lying around in your garage and wondered if they can work effectively on your truck or smaller vehicle. This might be very tempting, but it is not a good idea to try it. It is vital to know that there are several differences between trailer tires and car rims. These differences make it difficult for trailer tires to fit and operate smoothly, for that matter.
One of the differences between them is offset. While trailer tires have a zero offset, car tires have a positive offset, which ranges depending on their functions. The zero offset of the trailer tires allow the tire and wheel to fit properly underneath the fender.
Generally, trailer tires have a zero offset to promote even tread wear as a trailer’s loads are heavier than that of the car. The differences in offset between car tires and trailer tires are going to lead to improper tire placement.
Therefore, the tires will not be balanced appropriately, increasing the chances of driving problems. It will be hard to take turns as the vehicle struggles to adjust to the trailer tires. Such cases could result in loss of control and road accidents.
Trailer tires will also make the wheel stick out too far. It will also load the car’s bearing differently than it was meant for. Such cases make it incredibly difficult to control your vehicle. If you are not skilled enough to handle unstable tires, you could face serious driving problems with your vehicle. A poor-fitting tire also increases the chances of punctures.
Another difference also comes courtesy of testing by the manufacturer. Trailer tires are tested for different purposes than a car’s tires and rims. This means that trailer tires are not meant to work on a car rim at all.
Trailer tire manufacturers focus on the vertical load limits; therefore, there might be significant differences in the rim when it comes to handling. Such massive differences make it hard to fit a trailer tire into a car rim. It will not fit, and if it does, it might not function efficiently. Therefore, it is not a good idea to use trailer tires on car rims.
Lastly, the weight rating is another difference that makes it hard to fit trailer tires on cars. Generally, car rims and tires are designed for a lower weight rating than that of a trailer wheel. Therefore, ensure you double-check before using them interchangeably. Massive differences in tire sizes mean there is no chance of compatibility.
Finally
Trailer tires form an important part of their operations. A trailer will not function efficiently without good tires. Therefore, it is vital to take good of them. While it is possible to plug trailer tires, it is important to get the help of a professional. This is because trying to fix it by yourself can result in more mechanical problems. Such issues could cost you your warranty.
Rotating your trailer tires also forms an important part of their maintenance. There are several benefits of rotating trailer tires. For example, it enhances safety by ensuring stability. Chances of road accidents due to loss of control are also reduced significantly.
