Horse Trailer Maintenance & Care

 
HOT WEATHER   HOT TIRES   BIG BLOWOUTS 

*ALWAYS STOP IN A SAFE PLACE TO CHECK OR CHANGE TIRES.  THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE OR ROAD IS NOT SAFE.

• THE VAST MAJORITY OF ALL TIRE BLOWOUTS ARE CAUSED BY OVERHEATING. 
• THE MAJOR CAUSE OF OVERHEATING IS LOW INFLATION.  
• BOTH NEW AND USED TIRES MAY BLOWOUT IF UNDERINFLATED.  
• HOT WEATHER TREMENDOUSLY INCREASES CHANCES FOR BLOWOUT OF UNDERINFLATED TIRES.  
• THE TWO MAIN CAUSES OF BLOWOUTS ARE NOT INFLATING TIRES PROPERLY PRIOR TO USE OR NOT REPAIRING A KNOWN LEAK. 
• PUNCTURES DUE TO ROAD HAZARD ARE THE NEXT MOST COMMON CAUSE OF BLOWOUTS. 
• ON NEW TIRES, BLOWOUTS ARE NOT COVERED BY TIRE MANUFACTURER WARRANTY. 
• ON NEW OR USED TIRES, AN EXTENDED TIRE WARRANTY WILL REIMBURSE THE COST OF TIRE IN A BLOWOUT.  (FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE WE OFFER EXTENDED TIRE WARRANTIES AT VERY REASONABLE COST.)  

A few days prior to travel:

• Check all tires and spare (when "cold"--not driven more than a mile) for proper pressure with tire gauge and inflate to maximum pressure stated on tire a few days prior to trip so that you have time to take care of leaking tires prior to departure.
• Check all tires and spare for any apparent damage.
• Check pressure when "cold" every day for a few days before departure.  Good tires/valve seals do not lose significant air over a few days.  If yours are, they stand a chance of blowing enroute and they need to be repaired or replaced. 
• Be sure to load all tools needed to change tires, including a good spare.
• Be sure you have the number of a service company that can help you with flats or problems along the way should you need any assistance.

NOTE: If you notice a lump or apparent manufacturing defect on a new tire still under warranty, take pictures of the tire and contact your tire manufacturer for guidance. If there is any question of a problem, change the tire out before the trip and get with the manufacturer when you have time. Manufacturers require the tire to be returned in defective condition in order to be replaced at their cost. (A blown out tire is too damaged to determine the cause and will not be covered.)    

On the trip:

• On long trips, check all tires by inspection and touch at each gas/water/feed stop.  If too hot to touch, too hot to travel! Pull into the shade and wait until they cool off. 
• If you run over something, find a safe place and check your tires as soon as you can.  Using caution, inspect them for obvious damage, listen for air escape, look for low inflation, check tire pressures with tire gauge if you suspect significant air loss.  
• We do not suggest stopping on the side of the interstate or road.  If you have to drive on a flat tire to get to a safe place, carefully do so. (Reduce speed, put on flashers, etc.) Most modern trailers have torque flex axles which equalize the load and the rim will not be damaged, but if not, your life is worth much more than a rim or fender. 
• If you have a front tire blowout, using caution, check the rear tire on that side for damage/leaks.  It is likely you ran over something.  (Might as well check 'em all while you're at it.)
• If you do not feel confident in changing your own tire, call a mobile service company to do it for you.  

FROM THE OWNER

SUMMER, 2011 

Scorching hot weather is hard on us and our horses.  We want to get where we're going quickly and as stress free as possible.  A stranding blowout is one of the things we all dread.  But we can prevent most blowouts by following a few simple guidelines.  Based on my 20 years in the tire business, and many years of hauling horses, I have compiled some suggestions that can help you avoid a blowout this summer, and year-round.