888.793.6184 • 931.668.8860 • ironhorsetrailers.com • [email protected]
888.793.6184 • 931.668.8860 • ironhorsetrailers.com • [email protected]
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Infrequent use is the number one enemy of trailer tires, and heat is
enemy number two. The good news is that according to all reports,
Ironhorse Trailers behave well even during catastrophic tire failure.
Infrequent use
Storing/parking the trailer for long periods of time leads to a tire
condition commonly called “dry rot.” Some dry rot is visible - narrow
random cracks in the surface of your tires. But you can’t tell how
deep the cracks are, and hence, how dangerous they are. While
most people understand that unused tires eventually develop dry
rot, not everybody understands that infrequently used tires dry rot
quickly. Raising your tires off the ground or putting wood blocks
between your tires and asphalt or concrete may slow down dry rot,
although it won’t entirely prevent it. If you do not use your trailer on
a regular basis, replace the tires at least every 3 years, irrespective
of tread wear.
Heat
As tires and the air inside them get hot, the harder that air searches
You must maintain, inspect and properly lubricate the trailer wheel
bearings. Wheel lug nuts should be tightened with a torque wrench
and checked after 100 miles of initial towing and then every 3,000
miles. Refer to the chart below for proper torque. Lube and
check the condition of the bearings every 12,000 miles. For this
Tires
Refer to the tire pressure chart below for proper inflation. Invest in
a god quality tire pressure gauge. Inspect tires before each trip and
when you gas up. A tire that is getting low will be hotter to the touch
than the others. Under-inflated tires decrease your gas mileage
and increase strain on the tow vehicle. The most common causes
of tire failure are overloading and under inflation.
Proper air pressure for your tires is printed on the tire. Check air
pressure while tires are cold. Excessive wear and tire failure will
result if recommended pressure is not maintained. Improper tire
pressure can result in a blowout and loss of control, which can lead
to death or serious injury. If a tire has a bald spot, bulge, cuts that
show cords, or cracks, replace the tire before towing.
PLEASE NOTE:
WHEN TRANSPORTING/SHIPPING OUR TRAILERS,
WE REDUCE THE TIRE PRESSURE TO AVOID EXCESSIVE BOUNCING.
INFLATE TIRES TO THE PROPER PSI PRIOR TO USE.
for a weak spot. So what makes tires get hotter? Black asphalt
and 100 plus degree temperatures, trailers loaded near or beyond
the design weight, excessive speed, rough roads and especially
under-inflated tires are a recipe for trouble.
Under-inflation
When tires roll, the sidewalls flex and the flimsier the sidewall,
the more they flex building up heat in the tire carcass. That’s why
Special Trailer (STxxx) tires must be used for trailers instead of
Passenger Tires (Pxxx). Special Trailer tires have much stronger
sidewalls, with less flex, less heat build-up. The heavier the load at
a given level of inflation, the more the sidewalls flex. Likewise, the
heavier the load, the rougher the road and the faster you drive with
given levels of initial inflation and outside temperatures, the more
the tires flex and the hotter they get - often resulting in failure.
Maximum recommended towing speed
for trailers with ST tires is 65mph
Proper care of tires
Seven steps to blow-out free trailering
1) If your trailer tires are over three years old and your trailer stays parked for weeks at a time, replace them.
2) If you park your trailer for more than 30 days, put wood blocks between the tires and the concrete or asphalt.
3) If your trailer has been parked for more than 30 days, check tire pressure before driving it.
4) Adjust your initial inflation tire pressure to match your load and the outside temperature.
5) Adjust your speed to match the load in your trailer, for example: 10-15 mph slower for two big motorcycles
than one small dirt bike.
6) Adjust your speed to match the roughness of the road and the outside temperature. Slow down if the road is
extremely rough or if it is extremely hot outside. Slow down even more if both conditions apply.
7) Every time you stop, feel the treads of your trailer tires and your tow vehicle tires. If your trailer tires are
hotter than your tow vehicle tires, slow down.
Recommended Tire Pressures
Air pressure taken when tire is COLD Use only ST - Special Trailer tires
Ironhorse trailer model
One bike
Two bike/one trike
WideBody
Empty
35 PSI
45 PSI
55 PSI
Loaded
45 PSI
50 PSI
65 PSI
Tire Sizes
Ironhorse trailer model
One bike
Two bike/one trike
WideBody
Tires must Special Trailer type
ST205/75R14C
ST205/75R14C
ST225/75R15D
Wheels and Bearings
procedure, refer to Dexter® Axle Operation Maintenance Service
Manual included as part of your Owner’s Package. Recheck any
wheel that has been removed and replaced after towing the first
100 miles. Do not drive a loaded trailer with a missing lug nut or
damaged lug bolt. A hot bearing needs immediate attention!
Wheel Information and Lug Nut Torque
Ironhorse trailer model
One bike
Two bike/one trike
WideBody
Lug nut torque - Aluminum wheel
70 - 85 ft lbs
70 - 85 ft lbs
80 - 100 ft lbs
Wheel Size (rim size)
14 inch
14 inch
15 inch
Bolt Pattern
5 x 4
1
/
2
” - 0” offset 5 x 4
1
/
2
” - 0” offset
5 x 4
1
/
2
” - 0” offset
These instructions, along with a detailed diagram, are located on
page 52 of the Dexter Axle Operation Maintenance Service Manual,
included as part of your Owner’s Package.
Remove the rubber plug from the end of the grease cap. Place a
standard grease gun onto the grease fitting located in the end of
the spindle. Make sure the grease gun nozzle is fully engaged on
Dexter
®
Axle E-Z Lube
®
Lubrication
the fitting. Pump grease into the fitting. The old displaced grease
will begin to flow back out the cap around the grease gun nozzle.
When the new clean grease is observed, remove the grease gun,
wipe off any excess, and replace the rubber plug in the cap.
Rotate hub or drum while adding grease.
Note: The E-Z Lube
®
feature is designed to allow immersion in water.
Dexter Axle Limited Warranty
(Full text located on page 79 of the Dexter Axle Operation Maintenance Service Manual)
WHAT PRODUCTS ARE COVERED:
All Dexter trailer axles, suspensions, and brake control systems.
LIMITED 2 YEAR WARRANTY:
Dexter Axle warrants to the original purchaser that its axles, suspension systems, and Predator SeriesTM
E/H hydraulic brake actuators shall be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of two (2) years from the date of first sale
of the trailer incorporating such components.
LIMITED 5 YEAR WARRANTY:
Dexter Axle warrants to the original purchaser that its Nev-R-LubeTN bearings and the suspension
components only of it’s TorflexR axles shall be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of five years from the date of first
sale of the trailer incorporating such components.
EXCLUSIVE REMEDY:
Dexter Axle will, at its option, repair or replace the affected components of any defective axle, repair or replace the
entire defective axle, or refund the then-current list price of the axle. In all cases, a reasonable time period must be allowed for warranty
repairs to be completed. Allowance will only be made for installation costs specifically approved by Dexter Axle.
WHAT YOU MUST DO:
In order to make a claim under theses warranties: You must be the original purchaser of the vehicle in which
the TorflexR Axles were originally installed. You must promptly notify us within the warranty period of any defect and provide us with any
substantiation that we may reasonably request. The axles or suspensions must have been installed and maintained in accordance with
good industry practice and any specific Dexter Axle recommendations, including those specified in Dexter Axle’s publication “Operation,
Maintenance Service Manual.”
EXCLUSIONS:
These warranties do not extend to or do not cover defects caused by: The connecting of brake wiring to the trailer wiring or
trailer wiring to the towing vehicle wiring. The attachment of the running gear to the frame. Hub imbalance, or any damage caused thereby.
Parts not supplied by Dexter Axle. Any damage whatever caused by or related to any alteration of the axle including welding supplemental
brackets to the axle. Normal wear and tear.
Alignment. Improper installation. Use of an axle on a unit other that the unit to which it was originally mounted. Unreasonable use
(including failure to provide reasonable and necessary maintenance as specified in Dexter Axle’s publication “Operation, Maintenance
Service Manual” including required maintenance after “Prolonged Storage”). Improper wheel nut torque. Cosmetic finish or corrosion.
LIMITATIONS:
In all cases, Dexter Axle reserves the right to fully satisfy its obligations under the Limited Warranties by refunding the
then-current list price of the defective axle (or if the axle has been discontinued, of the most nearly comparable current product). Dexter
Axle reserves the right to furnish a substitute or replacement component or product in the event an axle or any component of the axle is
discontinued or is otherwise unavailable. These warranties are non-transferable.
GENERAL:
THE FOREGOING WARRANTIES ARE EXCLUSIVE AND IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES EXCEPT THAT OF TITLE,
WHETHER WRITTEN, ORAL OR IMPLIED, IN FACT OR IN LAW (INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANT ABILITY OR FITNESS
FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE).
These warranties give you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.
THE DURATION OF ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS
FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ARE LIMITED TO THE DURATION OF THE EXPRESS WARRANTIES HEREIN. DEXTER AXLE
HEREBY EXCLUDES INCIDENTAL AND CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING LOSS OF TIME, INCONVENIENCE, LOSS OF
USE, TOWING FEES, TELEPHONE CALLS OR COST OF MEALS, FOR ANY BREACH OF ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTY,
INCLUDING THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
Some states do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts, or the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential
damages, so the above exclusion or limitation may not apply to you.
Inquiries regarding these warranties should be sent to: Dexter Axle, P.O. Box 250 Elkhart, Indiana 46515, USA
