Trailer Tires and Wheels
To extend the life of your tires here are some suggestions: For short term storage: Store in cool, dark place at maximum inflation. Use tire covers to protect the tires from direct sunlight. For long term storage: Put the trailer on blocks to take the weight off the tires and suspension, lower the air pressure, and cover tires to protect from direct sunlight. Care should be taken to avoid prolonged tire contact with petroleum based substances: oils, fuels and asphalt. Use thin plywood sections between the tire and the pavement. Age: Trailer tires don't get enough miles on them to show significant wear. Replace trailer tires every five to seven years, whether they look like they're worn out or not. Other: After a blowout on a tandem-axle trailer, you should consider replacing both tires on that side. The remaining tire was likely subjected to excessive loading and, as a consequence, may fail in the near future. Note: I had this experience on a motor home. three tires failed within the space of a month. I could have saved myself a lot of grief if I had not overloaded these 4 year old tires in the first place. When the second one failed I should have replaced the others at the same time. Upon reweighing the rig I was astounded by the amount of "stuff" I had added in four years. I ended up replacing all six tires and off-loading a lot of junk.
