Thanks again to our loyal readers for another great question this month.
Tire maintenance, and air pressure – what to do when hauling?
Tire safety and maintenance is huge for anyone hauling a 5th wheel or goose-neck trailer.
The same checks you perform on your truck can also be done on your trailer.
look for side wall cracks or dry rot; look into the tread of your tire to see if you see the same concerns – if your truck and/or trailer sit in the sun, these will be obvious. have the tires replaced if there is any sign of these concerns.
OTHER THINGS TO CHECK FOR AND CONSIDER IN YOUR TIRES:
- Have your tires balanced and rotated every 5 thousand miles for best wear and life of the tire (Any major tire sales store can perform this service for a minimal fee)
- Have you suspension looked at for loose parts (i.e. ball joints and tie rod ends)
- Check your tire pressure – this can also be a huge deal since correct tire pressure helps the tires wear correctly
- Helps with fuel economy
- Typically out trucks have a load range E tire which has an inflation pressure max of 80 psi
- Towing and/or normal driving should keep the tire pressures in the manufactures specs which should be between 60 and 80psi
- Trailer tire pressures may vary per tire and trailer
- The higher the tire pressure (i.e. 80psi tire kept at 75psi) the cooler it will run. This will extend the life of the tire and improve performance of the tire during towing.