If the trailer has been struck, or impacted, on or near the wheels, or if the trailer has
struck a curb, inspect the rims for damage (i.e. being out of round); and replace any
damaged wheel. Inspect the wheels for damage every year, even if no obvious impact
has occurred.
WHEELS, BEARINGS & LUG NUTS
A loose, worn or damaged wheel bearing is the most common cause of brakes that grab.
To check your bearings, jack trailer and check wheels for side-to-side looseness. If the
wheels are loose, or spin with a wobble; the bearings must be serviced or replaced.
UNSEALED BEARINGS (HUBS)
If your trailer has unsealed axle bearings, they must be inspected and lubricated once a
year or 12,000 miles to insure safe operation of your trailer.
LUG NUTS (BOLTS)
Lug nuts are prone to loosen right after a wheel is mounted to a hub. When driving on a
remounted wheel, check to see if the lug nuts are tight after the first 10, 25 and 50 miles
of driving and before each tow thereafter.
Warning: Lug nuts are prone to loosen after initial installation, which can lead to death
or serious injury. Check lug nuts for tightness on a new trailer or when wheel(s) have
been remounted after the first 10, 25, and 50 miles of driving.
Tighten the lug nuts to the proper torque for the axle size on your trailer, to prevent
wheels from coming loose. Use a torque wrench to tighten the fasteners. If you do not
have a torque wrench, tighten the fasteners with a lug wrench as much as you can, then
have a service garage or dealer tighten the lug nuts to the proper torque. Over-tightening
will result in breaking the studs or permanently deforming the mounting stud holes in the
wheels.
E. TIRE SAFETY
The National Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has published a brochure
(DOT HS 809 361) that discusses all aspects of Tire Safety, as required by CFR 575.6.
