The trailer, like your car, rolls down the road.
Sometimes, you don't pay enough attention to your wheels and you can find yourself in for a scare. A blowout on the road can put your cargo in danger, or even leave you without a vacation.
Today we will explain how to check if your wheels are in good condition and if it is advisable to change them.
We will also see what wheels you can mount on your trailer and what details you should take into account so that they fit well.
Trailer wheels are generally special. They are designed to withstand the load of your car and to roll at certain speeds.
Like those of the car, they also have their inflation characteristics, their tread and, very importantly, their useful life.
Current trailer wheels do not have a tube (they are tubeless) and come already mounted on a steel rim. That is, you don't have to inflate them as often, or fear punctures, they are safer, more comfortable and just as light.
What should be taken into account when checking trailer wheels?
All trailer wheels should be checked, including the spare one, before starting the journey. You will find all the specifications of your wheels in the manufacturer's Technical Data Sheet.
- Check the pressure, which is given to you by the manufacturer
- Make sure the tread retains its grip. drawing
- Check that the tire is not cracked
- Make sure the wheel is notexpired«
- To know the maximum pressure and if the wheel is in its useful life, look at the legend on the tire tread
- Generally, trailers only accept one type of wheels, which are those established in the Technical Sheet. However, You can also find trailers that allow you to mount other wheels with a larger load or diameter. Many Comanche trailers have this option and if you have already thought about it, contact us, we will advise you on the appropriate wheels for your model.Tel: +34 93 892 10 45
E-mail: info@rcomanche.com - Another important fact is the year of production; it is recommended change wheels every 5 years, even if they are unused... You can identify this by the DOT number.
The DOT number will inform you of the week and year of manufacture. If you do not see the year of manufacture of the tire, it means that it is very old, and it is time to change the wheels to avoid problems.
What to look for when changing trailer wheels?
To change the wheels of your trailer it is important that you pay attention to ALL the points, because it is easy to fall into “wild card” wheels that fit into almost everything and… oh surprise! The fixing of the screws to the trailer is different. In that case, you will have a great wheel, which will be of no use to you…
Trailers in our country generally use the 58mm attack for 4 screws (the attack is the distance between fixing screws and the number of them).
Which gives you a distance of screws such that:
But you can also find wheels that are made of 5 holes.
These are the most common and their advantage is that they are designed to more load capacity.
And what else about trailer wheels?
Now that you know what "attack" your trailer has, make sure that the wheels you buy are suitable for you. load and measurements.
Trailer wheels, like those of other vehicles, have a load index and a speed index.
load index It is identified by a two-digit number that will correspond to the maximum weight indicated in this table.
speed index It is indicated by one of these letters.
You can always mount the wheels with a higher load and speed, but never lower ones.
Another important fact, but little commented on, is the canvas capes that the tire offers us. They are layers of synthetic fabrics (Kevlar, nylon, polyester) that cover the entire casing.
The ply layers refer to the rolling resistance of the wheel, and are expressed by a number. The most common are 4 or 6 layers. The higher the number, the better the rolling resistance.
In summary…
As you can see, there are many factors to take into account before changing your wheels. Correct maintenance, periodic inspections and above all the accuracy of the model for your trailer will ensure you have a peaceful holiday without any scares on the road.
At Comanche we have a variety of models and sizes, specially designed for perfect mounting on our trailers. Wheels are very popular products in our Online store and are sold throughout the year.
And you, have you already checked your wheels? Remember that prevention is always better than cure and weekend getaways are to enjoy, not to call the tow truck...
