4
Important Trailer Safety Information
Referencing the Utility Trailer in this
Manual
All references to the trailer or component parts to either
left or right are made with the assumption that you are
standing behind the trailer facing forward. Your left hand
or right hand is the equivalent on the trailer.
Tire Safety
The most common cause of trailer tire failure is under-
inflation. Therefore, it is important that you always
maintain the specified air pressure as indicated by the
tire manufacturer on the tire's side-walls. This informa-
tion can also be found on the tire label or the air pressure
molded on the tire side-wall.
The most important things you can do to maintaining
proper tire pressure are observe all tire and trailer
maximum carrying capacities, avoid road hazards, and
inspect the tires for cuts, slashes and other irregularities.
These practices, along with other care and maintenance,
can improve handling, help protect you and others from
avoidable breakdowns and accidents, improve fuel
economy, and increase the life of your tires.
Make tire safety a regular part of your trailer mainte-
nance routine. The time you spend is minimal compared
to the amount of time, inconvenience, and potential
safety hazards that can occur from a flat tire or failure.
Basic Tire Maintenance
Properly maintained tires improve the load-carrying
capability of your trailer. You can help avoid flat tires and
tire failures by maintaining proper tire pressure,
observing tire and trailer capacity limits, avoiding road
hazards, and inspecting your tires regularly.
Identifying Your Recommended Tire
Pressure and Maximum Load Carrying
Capacity for Your Trailer
Both the tire placard and the VIN label are permanently
attached on top of the frame of your trailer and have the
required information printed on them. They also list the
maximum load that can be placed on the trailer without
exceeding the load limits of the tires or the trailers other
components. These labels indicate the manufacturer’s
information including:
•
Recommended tire size.
•
Recommended tire inflation pressure.
•
The maximum weight the trailer is designed to
carry.
•
Gross vehicle weight rating of the trailer.
•
Gross axle weight rating of the trailer.
Understanding Tire Pressure and Load
Limits
Tire inflation pressure is the level of air in the tire that
provides it with the load-carrying capacity and affects the
overall performance of the trailer. The tire inflation
pressure is a number that indicates the amount of air
pressure that is inside the tire. It is measured in pounds
per square inch (PSI). The tire must be inflated to the air
pressure as designated on the labels. Also listed on the
labels is the air pressure in kilo Pascals (kPa), which is a
metric measurement. Tire manufacturers determine the
air pressure to maximize the amount of weight the tires
can safely carry. The proper tire pressure for your trailer
tires is referred to as the “recommended cold inflation
pressure.” It is difficult to obtain the recommended tire
pressure if your tires are not cold when the reading is
taken because the air will expand when it is warmed by
towing down the road, thus increasing the air pressure
inside. If air is added to a tire that is low the air pressure
should never exceed the recommended pressure.
It is important to check your trailer’s tire pressure at least
once a month for the following reasons:
Most tires will naturally lose air over time.
Tires can lose air suddenly if driven over an object that
punctures or cuts the tire. Sometimes a sharp blow from
a pothole or curb can knock the tire loose from the rim
causing immediate deflation.
Maintaining Proper Tire Pressure
Locate the recommended tire pressure on the trailer's
tire information placard or owner's manual.
Record the tire pressure of all tires. If the tire pressure is
too high in any of the tires, slowly release air by gently
pressing on the tire valve stem with the edge of your tire
gauge until you get the correct pressure.
If the tire pressure is too low, note the difference between
the measured tire pressure and the correct tire pressure.
These “missing” pounds of pressure are what you will
need to add.
Add the missing pounds of air pressure to each tire that
is under inflated.
Check all tires to make sure they have the same air
pressure.
If you have been towing your trailer and think that a tire is
under inflated, fill it to the recommended cold inflation
pressure indicated on your trailer's tire label placard or
the VIN label. You can also check the sidewall of the tire
for a correct tire inflation pressure. Your tire will have a
slightly lower air pressure because the tire is warm when
you are inflating it, but it will be much better than to
continue to tow it with the under inflation it may have had.
Landa TR 3500 / 6000 Operator’s Manual 8.913-956.0 - P
