Something whispered in my ear tonight… and told me to repost this article on trailer tires.

ORIGINALLY POSTED 2/24/13

I am a bit freaky about tires because during one trip several years ago, I had three trailer tires blow.

THREE in ONE TRIP!

I couldn’t  understand it.  The tires were practically new.  I had probably only driven a few thousand miles on them – if that.

How could they have failed?

HERE’S HOW MY TIRES FAILED… I WAS TOLD

At that time, I was preparing to move from Oregon back to California.

Consequently, I was busy and my trailer just sat.  New tires and all.

THAT was the issue.  Or one of the issues.

The guy at the tire store who helped me with the last of my three blow-outs told me:

(I need to say here that I was quite freaked-out to have so many scary events in one road trip…)

He told me 2 very important things about tires:

1)  Old tires will not last as long, no matter if they have good tread

1a)  Sometimes ‘new’ tires are actually old tires that have been on the shelf for years even if they appear brand new

1B)  Below is a guide on how to check the age of your tires.

2)  If tires sit in one position on your trailer – in the sun – they will fail sooner than later.

2b)  Move your trailer so the tires are not constantly in one position – move it just to move it.  Sun or no sun.

My tires were new but they had sat in one position, in the sun, for a while.

That is why they blew…

I’VE NEVER FORGOTTEN THAT TRIP.

I’ve never forgotten that trip.  So, I am a bit over the top about checking my tires.

This year, I knew that my trailer had less use than usual and I also knew it had been several years since I had purchased new trailer tires.

My tires were not thread bare, but due to the time they spent parked and just because they were older in age, I decided to get new tires – so I could rest easily this riding season.

The same goes for truck tires…

HERE IS AN ARTICLE ABOUT IT…

I found the article on this website:

The Hidden Danger of Old Tires – how to read the code.
How old are the tires on your horse trailer and towing rig?

“…The following quick tip can keep you and your horses rolling along.

The problem is that tires, like any rubber product, degrade over time
and could present a significant yet hidden safety risk regardless of
tread depth.

Trailer tires 6 years and older can fail/blow out when traveling; also
under inflated tires get hot at high speeds causing sidewalls to fail
and separate from the tread. When getting a trailer or replacing tires
on any vehicle insist on tires manufactured within the past year or so.
Just because a tire hasn’t been ‘used’ or put on a vehicle does NOT mean
it is NEW.

Tires are manufactured with a date code, 4 digits long, which represent
the week and year the tire was made (For example 3211 is the 32nd week
of 2011 while 0598 is the 5th week of 1998). This code is on the tire
usually in a circle or indented oval following the other sizing numbers
and info on the tire. (The code could be located on the inside sidewall
if the tire is already mounted on the vehicle…check for it. Your
safety is well worth the extra effort!)”

PHOTOS are on the webpage. Go read the rest of the article here:
http://www.trailmeister.com/tips/Tirecheck.html

SAFE TRAVELS!