How do figure out what size rim you need to buy?

You get a flat tire on your trailer and it is shot. Fortuneatly you were wise enough to make sure you had a spare. You put on that spare tire on your trailer and you move on. Now you need to replace that spare tire. How do figure out what size rim you need to buy? Sure, tire size is easy, but how the heck do you figure out what rim size to get?

Like trailer tires, rims have a series of numbers which indicate their uniqueness. Here is an example of a rim size:

14x 6/4.5

The first number, 14 indicates trailer rim size (15 inches), the 5 indicates the width and the 5/4.5 indicates the bolt pattern.

For example: 205/75R14, the "14" indicates that you need a 14" rim.

Now you need to determine the width of the rim. Keep in mind trailer wheels come in a variety of widths. Normal widths for 14 inch trailer rims are 14x5.5, and 14x6. You certainly don't want the wrong rim for the wrong tire, or the tires will wear unevenly. Learn how to read the numbers and if you need help, you can always count on us!

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Trailer Tire information

It’s a good idea to check your trailer tires on a regular basis. However, you should know that your trailer tires can appear to have a great amount of tread remaining on the tires, but the tires may still need replaced. Trailer tires are subjected to heavy loads on nearly every trip, as well as when the trailer is parked and not being used. In fact, it is better for tires to be in use on the roadways than to sit idle, becoming a victim of dry rot and other maladies. During drive time, lubricants are released from all tires. These lubricants keep the tire in good shape and extend the tire’s life expectancy. Driving also prevents the development of flat spots, which can happen when tires are idle.

One of the main causes of tire issues and failures is improper inflation. You should check the pressure of your tires when the tires are cold, or at the same temperature as the surrounding air. A great time to check tire pressure is after your trailer has been parked overnight. Tire pressure should be checked prior to every trip, as well as once a week over the course of a long journey. Always ensure that you adjust the tire pressure in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications. This information can be found online, or on the vehicle’s Federal Certification Label or tire placard. You should also ensure that you adjust the tire pressure when your trailer is fully loaded. And never load your trailer to a weight that exceeds the vehicle’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). Keep in mind that if the tires are not inflated up to the proper amounts, or if you exceed the GVWR of the trailer, the tires may be unable to carry the load properly. If tires are inflated to a pressure higher than the manufacturer’s specifications, the trailer and tow vehicle may be hard to handle and maneuver properly. Any of these scenarios can result in an accident or catastrophic damage to persons and property. If you develop any questions about tire inflation, proper loading or other issues, you can always refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual, or speak to the dealer or manufacturer.

It’s also important to remember that tires can leak air and lose pressure during the passage of time. It’s estimated that most tires lose around one to three PSI of pressure in a single month. The reasoning behind this is that, when under pressure, molecules of air migrate from the inside to the outside of the tire. A drop in tire pressure can lead to the tire becoming overloaded which can lead to heat buildup on the tire. This can cause internal damage to the tire and lead to tire failure.

Another concern is towing a trailer at high rates of speed during hot conditions. These driving conditions significantly degrade trailer tires. The tire’s internal structure breaks down and becomes damaged during heavy driving cycles. This compromises the tire's internal and external strength, which can also lead to tire failure. In addition to proper inflation, it is recommended that you always drive at moderate speeds to keep the heat buildup as low as possible.

Unlike cars, trucks and other passenger vehicles, one should not judge the wear of a trailer tire based on tread depth alone. Experts estimate the life of a single trailer tire to be around five years during normal use and proper maintenance. After three years, it is usually time to think about replacing your trailer tires, even if the tires appear to have adequate tread. After the five year mark, most trailer tires have deteriorated such that they are worn out and need replaced. This is true even if the tires have experienced minimal use and appear to have lots of tread life left. Keep in mind that these parameters may not apply in all situations. For the best information on the life of your tires, you should have a tire expert inspect your tires and make a determination on the need for replacement.

If you need to store your trailer for a longer length of time when it won't be driven, you should ensure that the tires are inflated properly to the maximum tire pressure allowed. Tires should be stored in a garage, shed or other cool and dry area. It is also beneficial to use tire covers to further protect your tires from the effects of sun, temperature changes and other issues. You should also keep tires off the ground or floor; a barrier such as carpet or plywood will keep the tires from dry rot on the concrete or asphalt surface they are stored on. This barrier will also protect the tires from being damaged by any chemicals that are contained in the concrete or asphalt floor of the storage area.

Trailer Lug Nut Torquing

Trailer owners can never underestimate the importance of proper lug nut torque. The lug nuts or mounting nuts that are affixed to trailer wheels must be adequately tightened and sufficiently torqued in order for the trailer to operate in an efficient and safe manner. When this is overlooked, lug nuts can loosen while the trailer is in use. When this happens there can be dangerous results. Here are a few tips to help you ensure that lug nuts are properly tightened and torqued.

• Familiarize yourself with the exact trailer wheel specifications and maintenance protocol established by the vehicle manufacturer. Understanding and practicing the proper vehicle maintenance is your responsibility as the vehicle owner and operator. It is important to check the lug nut tighten several times in the first hundred miles of use after a new trailer has been purchased. After this initial trial period it is a good idea to check the tightness at least twice a year.Torque should generally be check before a long trip.
• A torque wrench is the best way to ensure that you have torqued or checked the torque of the l lug nuts. Other tools will not accurately tell you if the lug nuts have been properly torqued.
• A good way to keep track of trailer wheel maintenance is to keep a log book recording the date and mileage of last lug nut torque. You should make a note at each time of maintenance of which lug nut lost torque so that you can track any ongoing problems. Attending to the issue early on will help you avoid a possible problem in the future.
• When ongoing lug nut loosening is apparent it is time to contact the vehicle manufacturer. You may have a defective lug nut, trailer axle or wheel problem. Manufacturers want to know about these types of problems so that they can evaluate whether or not there is need for a recal.
• The worst case scenario is that a wheel separation incident will take place. If this happens you should immediately notify the manufacture or dealer. You should quickly attain assistance so that you can assess the trailer damage. Make sure you keep the defective lug nuts, but do not reuse them. You should not at this point attempt to repair the trailer yourself, but rather call a trained professional to keep your trailer in optimum, safe working condition.