| 
July 23, 2009
The “other” tires
Have You Checked Your Spare and Trailer Tires Lately?
Summer has arrived and, assuming you have been taking care of your vehicles, you should have very good tires all around, especially if you have chosen some of the newest products offered on the market. This should take care of the four tires on each of your vehicles—but what about the other ones?
The spare tire
Unless you’re driving one of the rare vehicles with run flat tires provided as original equipment, your vehicle should have a spare tire hidden away somewhere. In most cases, it will be a compact spare tire; however, some SUVs have an exterior full-sized spare tire, while some manufacturers still offer an optional or standard full-sized spare tire in their larger cars.
But, no matter what spare tire you have in a vehicle, it will be pneumatic. This means it will be filled with air (or Nitrogen). Since we all know that tires have the normal tendency to lose air with time (at different degrees), have you taken the time to check the air pressure in the spare? There would be no more embarrassing situation than finding your vehicle with a flat tire and a flat spare tire at the same time!
Trailer tires
The situation is almost the same for trailer tires. In most cases, if you own one or many commercially built trailers, they will come with tires that were specifically designed for trailers. Those tires can sustain certain weight and speed, but they still need to be checked regularly, not only for pressure, but also for any possible damage. It would probably be a good idea to fill them up with Nitrogen instead of air. This solution has proven itself to be efficient in keeping the tire pressure at level. By the way, if the trailer has been idle all winter, it could be a good idea to have the bearings checked for rust or dampness before hitting the road.
If your trailer tires are showing wear and tear, do just as you would for your car or truck— have them changed before the beginning of the season. Remember that the grooves in the tread are there to help disperse water on wet pavement. And, as mentioned earlier, if your trailer is equipped with a spare tire, its pressure should also be checked. In case of uncertainty, if you see any indication of slight cracks in the rubber, having the tire inspected by a professional could be a safe move.
| |
