Trailer Wheels and Tyres

[Jon H]

When storing a trailer is it better to jack the trailer up so there is no weight on the tyres ?

[fred bolton]

yes

[fred bolton]

However you still need to have your wheelclamp attached for insurance purposes

[Jon H]

Originally Posted by fred bolton

However you still need to have your wheelclamp attached for insurance purposes

Thanks to you both

[BogMonster]

Putting a lot of air in the tyres is the lazy way to do it and it is what some new vehicle manufacturers do to avoid flat-spotting the tyres when standing for long periods especially in hot climates. New vehicles we get at work arrive with about 50psi in the tyres, bit clattery on rough roads

[Jon H]

Originally Posted by BogMonster

Putting a lot of air in the tyres is the lazy way to do it and it is what some new vehicle manufacturers do to avoid flat-spotting the tyres when standing for long periods especially in hot climates. New vehicles we get at work arrive with about 50psi in the tyres, bit clattery on rough roads

So now i am goig to show complete ignorance

My trailer tyres get really hot when I shoot down the motorway

I am told that maybe I dont have enoght pressure in them

Any idea what a sensibel pressure is, and is them getting hot a bad sign or common problem

[Bern Hanreck]

http://www.iwt.co.uk/tyre_pressure.htm

Some tyres have pressure indicated on the side wall .

Tyres are also damaged by UV light , so maybe removing & storing in the garage isn't a bad move . ( Check the insurance implications of no wheel clamp though !)

I use 50 psi but that is mostly for road ( not rough stuff ) work.

[BogMonster]

Originally Posted by Jon H

So now i am goig to show complete ignorance

My trailer tyres get really hot when I shoot down the motorway

I am told that maybe I dont have enoght pressure in them

Any idea what a sensibel pressure is, and is them getting hot a bad sign or common problem

It really depends on the tyre size and number of axles versus the weight of the boat. If the trailer has little 13" wheels and a ton and a half of boat on it then it will need a hell of a lot of pressure - my Ifor Williams twin axle trailer has a gross weight of 2700kg and I think needs about 65psi in the 165R13 tyres! My boat trailer has four 7.50x16 Land Rover wheels on and needs rather a lot less. Best thing is probably to ask the trailer manufacturer but yes, tyres getting hot is a sign of low pressure as the sidewalls flex and generate the heat. They also go bang and disappear if they get too hot so I would check it sooner not later!

[m chappelow]

i have seen a few people with trailors that stand in strong sunlight to cut another larger worn out tyre in half and put it on top over of the existing tyre to act as a sun shade , and dont forget in the uk on motorways when towing a trailor the speed limit is 60 mph, and its easy to exceed it with modern cars sometimes without realising ,used to work for the rac and it was common for caravan and trailor tyres to burst on certain stretches of motorway usually on long gradual down hill sections , regards to wheel clamps for insurance purposes you could remove the wheels and replace one with just a rim or wheels from a scrap yard so the clamp could still be fitted.