trailer tires – Country Blacksmith Trailers Blog

Trailer Maintenance to Extend the Life of Your Trailer

Essential Trailer Maintenance Tips

Whether you use a trailer for work or recreational purposes, proper maintenance is crucial to ensure its longevity and reliability. By implementing regular trailer maintenance routines, you can extend the life of your trailer and enjoy its optimal performance for years to come. These trailer maintenance tips and best practices to help you keep your trailer in top condition for years to come.

Clean and Protect the Exterior

One of the fundamental aspects of trailer maintenance is keeping the exterior clean and well-protected. Here are a few tips to help you achieve that:

Regular Washes: Regularly washing your trailer helps remove dirt, grime, and road salt that can accumulate over time and cause corrosion. Use a mild detergent and a soft brush or sponge to clean the exterior thoroughly.

Waxing: Applying a coat of wax after washing can help protect the trailer’s paint and metal surfaces from the elements. Waxing also gives the trailer a shiny and polished appearance.

Rust Prevention: Inspect the trailer for any signs of rust or corrosion. If you notice any areas that need attention, treat them with a rust inhibitor or primer to prevent further damage.

Lubrication: Regularly lubricate hinges, locks, and moving parts to prevent rust and ensure smooth operation.

Inspect Tires and Brakes

The condition of your trailer’s tires and brakes is crucial for safe and efficient towing. Follow these trailer maintenance tips to ensure that your tires and brakes stay in great shape:

Tire Pressure and Tread: Check tire pressure regularly and inflate them to the manufacturer’s recommended levels. Inspect the tread depth and replace tires that show signs of excessive wear. Properly inflated tires with good tread improve fuel efficiency and enhance stability while towing.

Wheel Bearing Maintenance: Grease the wheel bearings as per the manufacturer’s recommendations. This will ensure smooth wheel rotation and prevent excessive heat buildup that can lead to bearing failure.

Brake System Inspection: Regularly inspect the brake system, including brake pads, rotors, and brake fluid levels. Replace worn-out brake pads and have the brake system serviced by a professional if needed.

Maintain Electrical Systems

The electrical systems in your trailer play a vital role in ensuring proper lighting, signaling, and power supply. Here’s what you can do to keep them in optimal condition:

Lighting Checks: Inspect all trailer lights regularly to ensure they are functioning correctly. Replace any burnt-out bulbs immediately. Clean the connections and ensure a secure electrical connection between the trailer and towing vehicle.

Battery Maintenance: If your trailer has a battery, check its condition and charge it regularly. Keep the battery terminals clean and free from corrosion.

Wiring Inspections: Routinely inspect the trailer’s wiring harness for any signs of damage or fraying. Replace or repair any faulty wiring to prevent electrical issues and potential hazards.

Safety and General Maintenance Tips

Apart from the specific areas already mentioned, here are a few additional tips for ongoing trailer maintenance:

Hitch Maintenance: Regularly inspect the hitch and coupler for signs of wear or damage. Lubricate the moving parts to ensure smooth and secure operation.

Regular Inspections: Perform a thorough inspection of your trailer at least once a year. Look for any signs of structural damage, loose bolts, or other issues that may compromise the trailer’s integrity.

Proper Storage: When your trailer is not in use, store it in a clean and dry environment to prevent rust and deterioration. Consider using a trailer cover to provide additional protection.

Taking care of your trailer through regular trailer maintenance practices is key to extending its lifespan and ensuring safe towing experiences. By following these tips, like cleaning and protecting the exterior, inspecting tires and brakes, and maintaining electrical systems, you can keep your trailer in top condition for many years to come. Remember, a well-maintained trailer saves you money on repairs and provides peace of mind while on the road.

For high-quality trailers and expert advice on trailer maintenance, be sure to check out Country Blacksmith Trailer Sales. We offer a wide range of trailers and accessories to suit your needs. You can shop our new and used trailers for sale at any time on our website! We can also help with any trailer maintenance, service and trailer repair at our service department. Happy towing!

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog post is intended for general guidance only. Please refer to your trailer’s manufacturer guidelines and consult with a professional for specific trailer maintenance instructions.

Can You Park a Trailer on the Street?

Just like cars, trailers are vehicles that must follow parking rules when traveling from place to place. Because trailers are considered commercial property, it’s harder to find a spot to park a trailer. What is even more challenging is that parking rules can change from city to city. If you are unsure about where you plan to park your personal or work trailer when on the road, consult with that city’s laws by searching for “parking laws” in that location or calling the county clerk’s office, or city hall.

Where NOT to Park a Trailer

In most cases, in the city or a subdivision, these rules may apply when you park a utility, dump, enclosed or cargo trailer. To prevent problems, these rules are a good baseline to keep you on the right side of the law when parking your trailer at home or around town.

Where You CANNOT Park a Trailer

You cannot park a trailer on the street, alley, city parking lot or public right-of-way attached or unattached for more than 24 hours, and it could be towed after 48 hours.
Your trailer cannot be parked in front of your house or in your front yard.
A trailer cannot be parked on private property long term without permission.
You cannot park your trailer where it blocks a neighbor’s driveway.

Where You CAN Park a Trailer

Along the side of or behind your home.
In a self-contained garage on your property.
A self-storage facility or any private lot that allows rentals for your trailers.
In your driveway, if it’s not a violation of housing association rules.
On the street directly in front of your home. However, your trailer must be attached to a motor vehicle and cannot sit for more than 24-72 hours (depending on local laws).

BONUS: Tips When Storing Your Trailer

Remove Break Batteries – If your trailer has a braking system that uses batteries, then it’s important to remove those batteries if your trailer will be sitting long term. Left in place, batteries will wear faster and drain the power. Just like regular batteries, they work best if stored inside where conditions are more stable.
Jack Your Trailer Up – Ensure that the trailer rests suspended on jacks. This preserves the tires and suspension by keeping weight off these parts. Tires can even be removed and stored in a safe place, which not only protects the tires from rotting, but also deters thieves from trying to roll off with your trailer.
Grease Moving Parts – Greasing all the moving parts helps protect your trailer and allows things to continue to slide smoothly. This includes wheel bearings, especially if you don’t remove your trailer tires in storage.
Get a Cover – If you store your trailer outside, a trailer cover can do wonders to keep water and moisture out of your trailer and its components. Wood rots and steel rusts, but a good waterproof cover or tarp securely wrapped around your trailer will prevent a lot of that from happening. It will keep your trailer clean and pristine as well!
Buy a Security System – Trailer theft can happen to anyone, especially if the trailer is stored outside. Get a hefty security lock for the hitch and keep any trailer doors locked. If you have an open-air trailer, use heavy straps and locks to tie down any loose valuable items or materials. The more difficult you make it for someone to take your trailer and cargo, the less likely it is that a thief will mess with it.

How to Report Illegal Parking

If you are the victim of a neighbor or business intruding on your property, you can also report illegal trailer parking by contacting parking enforcement authorities. You can read more details about how to call in or file an official complaint on illegal parking in this article: “How to Report Illegal Parking.”

Should You Park a Trailer on the Street?

Parking and storing your trailer when the job is done is not always an easy task. Fortunately, alternatives exist so you don’t always have to park in the street. It’s good to be mindful of your neighbors and through traffic, which keeps you and your trailer safe and free of violations. So, if you want to be sure, don’t park your trailer on the street longer than a day.

At Country Blacksmith Trailers, we are a premiere trailer dealer in Illinois with locations in Mount Vernon and Carterville. When it comes to trailers, we have everything you’ll need. We offer new and used trailers for sale, from top brands like Aluma, Diamond C, Homesteader, Top Hat and more! We also have a variety of pickup flatbeds from Bradford Built, Cadet and CM Truck Beds. We also have trailers for rent in Illinois and offer a rent-to-own program. Browse our inventory online or contact us today!

Picking, Maintaining & Replacing Trailer Tires

When researching tires, there are three essential questions: What tires should I buy? How do I make my tires last? And when should I replace them? Whether you are a first-time buyer of trailer tires or have experience, it’s good to be reminded of the basics.

HOW DO I PICK THE RIGHT TRAILER TIRES?

Picking the correct trailer tires comes down to a matter of preference and how much weight you plan to pull. No matter what you choose, we have some helpful pointers listed below.

USE ST TIRES ON TRAILERS

It is best practice to use special trailer (ST) tires on your trailer. Being constructed with thicker walls and center-focused tread, ST tires are built to stabilize and pull heavy loads. Don’t be tempted to replace your trailer with passenger car (P) or light truck (LT) tires. Passenger car and light truck tires have thinner walls and could cause your trailer to sway if installed, not to mention risking other catastrophic disasters.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RADIAL & BIAS PLY TIRES

There are two types of special trailer tires: radial and bias ply. Radial tires can perform well at highway speeds, give a smoother ride, and tend to last longer over time. Bias ply tires have shorter tread life but can handle heavier loads and provide increased stability on the road.

HOW DO I MAKE MY TRAILER TIRES LAST?

Although you cannot make your trailer tires last forever, you can do some things to help extend their life and give you the best ride possible.

PROPERLY INFLATE TIRES & CHECK PRESSURE OFTEN

Improper tire inflation is one of the leading causes of tire problems. This is something that needs to be checked regularly, especially if there are temperature changes due to location or season. Tire pressure goes up or down 1 pound per square inch (PSI) for every 10 degree change in temperature. Always check tire pressure before your trip or when tires have been at rest for at least three hours. Tires heat up from road friction, so PSI readings on warm tires will be inaccurate. It is best to keep tires inflated at the maximum PSI recommendation printed on the tire wall. This will give you the smoothest ride on the road. Underinflating or overinflating your tires gives no benefit to your tires or trailer. In fact, if tires are not inflated properly, it will only damage your tires and make the ride harder for both your vehicle and trailer.

FOLLOW WEIGHT LIMITS AND GWVR FOR TRAILERS & TIRES

Check the sidewall of your trailer tires to verify the maximum load capabilities. If the tire is rated for 2,200 lbs. for a single axle, that means the trailer tires can handle a maximum load of 4,400 lbs. With the same tires, that would be a maximum of 8,800 lbs. on a double axle. Regardless of the combined maximum load of your tires, never exceed the trailer’s GWVR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) provided by the manufacturer. Even if the trailer tires combined load capacity can handle 8,800 lbs., your trailer itself may only have a maximum of 8,000 lbs. Although it is a good idea to get tires that can handle more than the GWVR, it is dangerous to have your load exceed the GWVR.

HAVE A SPARE TIRE ON-HAND – TAKE OUT?

When experiencing a flat on the road, there is no greater relief than knowing you have a spare tire. If you don’t carry a spare, you will have to leave your trailer behind to search for the nearest tire shop or be forced to wait on assistance. Always ensure your spare tires are ready for action by checking the air pressure along with your mounted tires each time.

WHEN DO I REPLACE MY TRAILER TIRES?

WHEN YOUR TIRE IS 3 – 5 YEARS OLD

Even if there is plenty of tread, tire rubber breaks down naturally over time. According to rubber industry research, oxidation caused from UV rays via sunlight and ozone from exhaust can cause exterior damage to the sidewalls, while oxygen from pressurized air creates unseen internal damage. Store your tires in a cool, dry place to minimize the damaging effects of nature and time.

WHEN TREAD IS DOWN TO 3/32 OF AN INCH OR LESS

To easily determine if the tread is too low, place a penny upside down facing you and if you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, it’s time to replace that trailer tire.

WHEN THE TIRE IS PUNCTURED OR SHOWS DEFORMITIES

If any holes in the tire are not repaired immediately, the structural integrity of the tire could be compromised and render it unsafe for use. Tires deformities like the appearance of bulges or bubbles on the outside are a sign that the interior of the tire has failed and it needs to be replaced as soon as possible.

WHEN THE VALVE STEM IS DAMAGED

If the valve stem is damaged or cracked, it will leak air causing unsafe tire pressure levels for carrying loads and tire damage when rolling deflated.

COUNTRY BLACKSMITH TRAILERS – A RELIABLE RESOURCE FOR TRAILER TIRES

If you’re looking for help with purchasing anything from trailers to tires, Country Blacksmith is here to assist you. We have a large variety of trailers, tires, trailer parts, on-site service mechanics, and more to meet all of your trailer and towing needs. We can quote you new trailer tire prices or evaluate your current tires, check the alignment of your axle, and even rotate your tires to optimize your trailer and tire performance on the road. Contact us anytime and we’ll connect you to the right person to answer all of your questions!