Semi-Trailer Tires

Properly maintaining your semi-trailer tires will help them run better and last longer while also reducing your risk of tire blowout. It only takes a few proactive steps to keep your tires well-maintained. Below, we cover some basic steps to caring for your tires. If you want more maintenance advice or want to explore semi-trailers for sale, visit Trailers of Texas. You’ll find us in Houston, Texas. We also proudly serve those in The Woodlands and Katy, Texas.

How to Prevent Tire Wear

Some amount of tire wear is inevitable. Each time you load up your semi-trailer with cargo and take a trip, it’s going to add wear to the tires. But there are some factors that can unnaturally increase the rate of tire wear. By tackling those factors, you can reduce wear and extend the life of your tires.

Proper Inflation

A simple step is ensuring that your tires are inflated to the right levels according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. When they aren’t inflated right, they won’t be able to properly handle the forces pushing down on them. This can result in needing to replace the tires faster than you should have to.

All you need is to regularly measure the air pressure. In a perfect world, you would do this before every trip. But if you don’t want to do it that often, be sure to measure every few trips. Simply use a tire pressure gauge to get a reading and then compare it to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Try to take this measurement in the morning when the tires are cold to get the most accurate reading.

Axle Health

Another factor that can accelerate tire wear is a bent axle. Try to keep your axle in good health. If you notice tire wear speeding up and can’t pinpoint the issue, you may want a professional to look over your axle.

Weather

Weather can be damaging not only to the exterior of your semi-trailer, but also to your tires. When tires are exposed for hours on end to the harsh sun rays, they can suffer damage (such as sidewall cracking). Try to keep your semi-trailer stored inside and guarded from the elements. If you have to store it outside, be sure to regularly check for weather damage.

Excessive Weight

Be intentional when you load your semi-trailer to never exceed its weight capabilities. First of all, it’s illegal. Second of all, it’s dangerous to yourself and those on the road around you. Third of all, it’s damaging to your tires and can result in expensive repairs. Check the Gross Combined Weight Rating of your semi-trailer. This number tells you the amount of weight your trailer and its tires can handle. Be sure you keep your cargo loads well within this weight limit.

You will also want to be mindful about how you load up your cargo. Try to keep the weight distribution from front to back and from side to side. This helps get weight distribution even across the tires. Uneven weight distribution can cause a blowout, so load your cargo strategically.

Pick the Right Tires

Beyond making sure your tires last a long time, you will also want to be sure you are using the right tires for your semi-trailer. Radial tires offer the best results, improved traction, a longer lifespan, and can even increase the fuel efficiency.

We hope you found this guide helpful. If you’re looking for semi-trailers for sale near Katy and The Woodlands, check out the selection at Trailers of Texas. Our expert staff can answer your questions and help you find the perfect model for your needs, so stop by today!