How to Replace Travel Trailer Tires

When considering the life of a trailer tire, the amount of tread remaining is usually not a factor. Supporting the weight of a trailer is rough on a tire; it's run for short periods of time, often in hot conditions, and then left standing for long periods of time. This cycle harms the internal structure of the tire, leading to its deterioration. Replace your travel trailer tires after three to five years, regardless of the remaining tread. You can either take the entire trailer to the tire shop, or remove the rims and bring only the wheels in.

Instructions

To Remove the Trailer Wheel Yourself

1

Secure the travel trailer in place on level ground, making sure that the trailer cannot roll or slide.

2

Break the seal on the lug nuts of the wheel with the lug wrench while the trailer is still on the ground, but do not yet loosen the lug nuts any further.

3

Raise the axle by placing a heavy-duty jack under the ends of the axle. Never lift under the middle of the axle. Hold up the trailer by placing heavy-duty jack stands or blocks under the axles.

4

Loosen the lug nuts on the wheel. Remove the lug nuts and pull off the wheel. Take the wheel to the tire shop to have them replace the tire.

5

Put the wheel with the new tire on the travel trailer and screw on the lug nuts. Tighten with a lug wrench. Raise the trailer enough to remove the jack stands, and then lower the trailer to the ground. Use a torque wrench to tighten all lug nuts according to your trailer's specifications. After driving 25 to 50 miles, check the torque again on all lug nuts and tighten if necessary.

To Select a Replacement Trailer Tire

6

Look up the Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) of your axle. Select a set of tires with a combined capacity that is the same or higher than your GVW. Use the GVW of your travel trailer if you are not able to locate your axle GVW.

7

Replace your travel trailer tires with ones made for a travel trailer. Automobile tires are designed for driving and steering, but are not made for handling the heavy loads of a travel trailer.

8

Buy the same size tire for all tires on the travel trailer. If one of your tires has had a blowout, or otherwise needs replacement, inspect all of the other tires to see if they are worn or weather-checked. Consider replacing the other tires if they are within the three- to five-year life span.