Still have original tires on my '02 Exiss - Goodyear Wrangler HT Load Range D. The last time I pulled the trailer was June of 2011. It has sat since. Checked it today and tires have more than just hairline cracks in the sidewalls. All 4 have cracks that I can put my fingernail into. Some are up to an 1.5" long -- single or in clusters. Barn owner told me it was nothing to worry about -- just a little dry rot and it wasn't an issue no more than I pull the trailer. He went on to say that what really matters are the plies (sp?) inside the tire and the integrity of them. What I see on the outside is for looks and protection of the plies. This guy is a retired heavy truck/equipment mechanic, so on one hand I want to believe that he knows what he is talking about. But, on the other hand, it just doesn't look safe to be rolling down the road with tires that look like that! I'm going to do some volunteer work next weekend at a horse show and thought I would take my trailer and stay in it to save on hotel bills. Not taking a horse. Now I don't know whether to get tires for the trip or buy new ones. In reality, I won't be hauling a horse again until next spring.
Also, I was concerned about my wheel bearings since the trailer has sat for over a year. Same guy told me not to worry. The bearings are fine for no more than I go down the road. He did offer to check the bearing on a curb-side wheel. I guess they get more exposure to water being on the curb side?
Anyway, I surely would appreciate input on this. Thanks so much.
Posted 2012-08-19 9:04 PM (#146449 - in reply to #146448) Subject: RE: Tire/Wheel Bearing Confusion!!!!
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 373 Location: Texas
time for new tires, and to get wheel bearings checked. But if you KNOW you will not haul until the spring, I'd get them them. But, let me add. Any chance you would need to haul in an emergency, to the vet etc? If so, then get them done now. How bad of a situation would it be to need to get some place in an emergency, only to have tire failure, and then realize you knew they were old tires...
Ask this knowledgeable man, if he would trust those tires to haul his kids or grandkids down the highway at 60 mph.......
Posted 2012-08-19 10:21 PM (#146451 - in reply to #146448) Subject: RE: Tire/Wheel Bearing Confusion!!!!
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
Ditto Trot on. New tires are well in order. They are too old and in poor shape.
Wheel bearing grease will slough off during a long term storage, exposing the bearings' surface to moist air and resulting rust. The first time the wheel rotates, the rust can damage the bearing. If the tires are rotated at something less than a year, the grease is reapplied and the metal surface is protected.
Posted 2012-08-19 11:08 PM (#146454 - in reply to #146448) Subject: RE: Tire/Wheel Bearing Confusion!!!!
Veteran
Posts: 121 Location: MO
I totally agree -- new tires are needed. I guess I'm confused as to why he would tell me this? How can anyone look at those tires and say they are okay to haul down the road regardless of whether it is a short trip or a long haul, with horses or without? I don't get it. Even if the plies are fine, the sidewalls could fail.
Posted 2012-08-20 12:18 PM (#146461 - in reply to #146454) Subject: RE: Tire/Wheel Bearing Confusion!!!!
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
Originally written by Kesta on 2012-08-19 11:08 PM
I totally agree -- new tires are needed. I guess I'm confused as to why he would tell me this? How can anyone look at those tires and say they are okay to haul down the road regardless of whether it is a short trip or a long haul, with horses or without? I don't get it. Even if the plies are fine, the sidewalls could fail.
Because he's cheap and has probably hauled horses with bad tires and been lucky enough to get away with it...
Posted 2012-08-20 1:02 PM (#146462 - in reply to #146448) Subject: RE: Tire/Wheel Bearing Confusion!!!!
Veteran
Posts: 259 Location: Topeka Ks
You’re on top of things by conducting a pre trip inspection. Trust your instinct, if you feel something on your trailer needs looked have it done.
Here are some general rules for trailer preventive maintenance. Conduct an annual inspection and remedy all defects. At that time, repack the wheel bearings and inspect the brakes no matter how many miles, non-coated surfaces rust, grease hardens, and brakes stop working. Replace your tires every 5 years. Age is the cause of most blowouts. This is an abbreviated list.
Posted 2012-08-20 10:57 PM (#146483 - in reply to #146448) Subject: RE: Tire/Wheel Bearing Confusion!!!!
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
Are there trailer tires made that are safe at higher speeds than 65 mph?
This has been discussed at length, many times in many ways. Truck LT tires are rated at speeds higher than most trucks can tow. Search for tires, and you will find voluminous threads about the topic.
Tire/Wheel Bearing Confusion!!!!
