A blown trailer tire can put a quick end to an otherwise great trip. If you don't have a spare, you could find yourself stranded on the side of the road waiting for help. And if the blowout is severe, it can even damage your trailer or your boat. Before you head out, follow these tips to make sure your trailer tires are ready for the road.
Not All Tires are Created Equal
Regular passenger car tires are not built to handle the load of your trailer. Special Trailer (ST) tires are designed for your trailer’s requirements. Their stiff sidewalls help prevent your rig from swaying. Their heavy-duty load capacity is critical; ST tires have 10% more load capacity than equivalent light truck (LT) tires and 40% more than passenger car (P) tires. They’re designed for trailer wheels, typically narrower than those on a car, and have shallower treads so they wiggle less to help improve your tow vehicle’s fuel economy and run cooler.
Follow this video guide if you need help changing the tires on your trailer
Watch for Oxidation
According to rubber industry research, trailer tires should be replaced after 3–5 years of service, even if they still have plenty of tread. Unlike car tires, which typically wear out from accumulated miles, trailer tires usually age out before they wear out.
Most trailer tires spend far more time parked than rolling down the road, often accumulating only about 10,000 miles per year—or much less. During that time, the rubber gradually deteriorates from exposure to sunlight, ozone and oxygen. UV rays and ozone attack the tire's exterior, while oxygen inside the pressurized tire slowly degrades the rubber from within. Over time, this aging process weakens the tire, increasing the risk of a blowout.
Trailer Tire Safety Tips
- Maintain pressure at the maximum PSI recommended on the tire’s sidewall for cool running, load-carrying ability and lowest rolling resistance.
- Keep a cap on the valve stem to prevent contamination of its internal rubber valve.
- Always carry a spare and check its pressure along with your trailer’s other tires
- Don't overload trailer tires. The maximum load that a single tire can safely carry is listed on the sidewall.
- Visually inspect your tires before each trip.
- Check tire pressure before you use your trailer and on long trips you should check your tires’ pressure every morning when the tires are cold.
- For long-term storage, cover your tires for UV protection or keep them in a cool, dry place.
- Replace every three to five years, regardless of tread wear.
Your trailer lights are a cruical part of the safety of your boat trailer. Malfunctioning turn signals or blown out sidemarker lights make towing your trailer unsafe and can end up causing collision if left unchecked. Follow these tips to keep your trailer safe to operate on the road.
Know What Lights You Need
The width of your trailer is the main determining factor of what lights you are legally required to use when towing your boat. Follow these guideline, but always double check with your local or state regulations for any other requirements.
Trailers Under 80 Inches Wide
Required Lights:
- Tail lights
- Brake lights
- Turn signals
- Side marker lights
- Rear reflectors
- License plate light
Longer trailers may also require additional side marker lights and reflectors.
Trailers Over 80 Inches Wide
Trailers wider than 80 inches require the same lights as trailuers under 80 inches wide, but also require additional lighting to help define the trailer’s full width and perimeter visibility.
Additional requirements often include
- Three rear identification lights
- Front clearance lights
- Rear clearance lights
- Additional side markers
Follow this video guide to learn how to replace trailer lights on your trailer.
Doing a quick pre-tow checklist before you hit the road can help you catch problems before they happen and save you a LOT of trouble on the road. Run through this list every time you trailer your boat.
Before Leaving Home
Tires and Wheels
- Check tire pressure when the tires are cold
- Inspect sidewalls for cracking, dry rot, bulges, cuts, or punctures.
- Verify tread depth and look for uneven wear patterns that may indicate alignment or suspension problems
- Check spare tire pressure and condition.
- Inspect lug nuts for tightness and corrosion.
- Confirm wheel bearings are properly lubricated and bearing protectors contain the correct amount of grease.
Trailer Hitch and Coupler
- Confirm trailer ball size matches coupler specifications.
- Fully engage and lock the coupler latch.
- Install a safety pin or coupler lock.
- Verify the trailer sits level or slightly nose-down.
- Inspect hitch receiver, ball mount, and mounting hardware.
Safety Chains and Breakaway System
- Cross safety chains beneath the trailer tongue.
- Attach chains directly to the tow vehicle frame or approved attachment points.
- Connect the emergency breakaway cable independently from the safety chains.
- Inspect hooks, clips, and chain links for corrosion or wear.
Lighting and Electrical Systems
- Test brake lights.
- Test running lights.
- Test left and right turn signals.
- Verify reverse lights if equipped.
- Inspect connectors for corrosion.
- Check wiring harnesses for chafing or exposed conductors.
Boat Tie Downs
- Inspect transom straps.
- Check bow eye connection.
- Verify bow winch strap condition.
- Inspect bow safety chain.
- Confirm all hatches are secured.
- Remove or secure loose gear.
- Secure coolers, anchors, batteries, and fishing equipment.
- Lower Bimini tops and antennas.
Outboard and Sterndrive Preparation
- Install motor support bracket.
- Raise the lower unit to transport position.
- Confirm hydraulic trim systems are not carrying the full weight of the engine.
Before Launching
Ramp Staging Area Checklist
- Install the drain plug.
- Remove transom tiedowns.
- Leave the bow winch strap attached.
- Attach dock lines.
- Install fenders.
- Load safety gear.
- Raise antennas and electronics.
- Turn battery switch on.
- Check fuel levels.
- Verify navigation equipment operation.
Engine Preparation
- Run blower for four minutes on sterndrive and inboard boats.
- Inspect bilge for fuel odors.
- Prime fuel system on outboard-powered boats.
- Confirm cooling water intakes are unobstructed.
Launch Sequence
- Back down the ramp slowly.
- Set parking brake before exiting the tow vehicle.
- Remove bow safety chain.
- Release bow winch strap only when ready to launch.
- Guide the boat to the dock using attached lines.
- Move the tow vehicle promptly to designated parking.
Before Trailering Home
- Center the boat on bunks or rollers.
- Attach bow strap and winch securely.
- Attach bow safety chain.
- Raise outboard or sterndrive.
- Install motor support bracket.
- Secure transom tiedowns.
- Lower antennas and Bimini tops.
- Reconnect trailer lights.
- Verify all lighting functions.
- Remove loose gear from deck and cockpit.
- Drain bilge water.
- Drain live wells.
- Drain bait tanks.
- Drain coolers.