nucamprv.com • Teardrop Campers
21
Teardrop Campers • nucamprv.com
20
There are two ways to check your tires’ tread wear:
1.
Tread Wear Bars.
These are the raised sections in the bottom or beside tire tread grooves.
When the tread has become even with the tread wear bars to the point that you cannot
distinguish the difference, you need new tires.
2.
The Penny Test.
Insert a penny into the tire tread grooves with the top of Lincoln’s head pointing
into the tire. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head on the penny, tires must be
replaced immediately.
Abnormal or uneven treadwear are signs that your tires give to indicate how they are performing. Below
you will see the most common issues, reasons why and how to correct:
SPARE TIRE
Your trailer is equipped with a spare tire located in the A-frame tongue of the trailer under the storage
tongue box.
How to install the spare tire in an emergency:
1. Find a solid, level surface on which to jack up your trailer. If there is no solid surface available,
use the jack pads you use for leveling the trailer or place a heavy rubber mat under the jack.
Gravel or unsolid ground can be dangerous to place a jack on as it may give way and cause
serious injury if the trailer moves.
2. If you are beside the highway, place reflective cones or road flares fifty feet behind and in front
of your vehicle to alert traffic that you need space.
3. If possible, leave the trailer attached to the tow vehicle. Set the park brake on your tow vehicle.
4. If you have weight distribution bars equipped, remove them.
5. Chock the wheel on the opposite side of the delinquent tire.
6. Remove the spare tire from its holder. Grab the jack, stand and
3/4" tire iron.
7. Using your 3/4" tire iron, loosen all lug nuts by one 360° turn,
or just enough to loosen slightly.
8. Now you are ready to jack up the trailer. Place the jack on the
chassis directly behind the wheel. Lift the trailer, being very
careful that the jack does not slip off. Keep all body parts away from
the area to avoid serious injury.
9. When both tires have cleared the ground, remove the lug nuts
on the failed tire. Immediately install the spare tire, start the lug
nuts by hand and tighten as much as possible. The wheel will spin
when you try to tighten lug nuts. This is normal.
10. Carefully drop the trailer back down, remove the jack and tighten
lug nuts according to instructions shown on page 23.
11. Stow the failed tire. Reinstall weight distribution bars, stow all tools,
remove chocks, road flare and reflective cones, in that order.
12. Proceed to the nearest tire service center. Have the failed tire
repaired or replaced and remounted.
13. Remember to properly re-torque the lug nuts at 10, 25, and 50 miles.
Of all tire maintenance, the spare tire is often the most forgotten. After all,
you only need it in a pinch. Properly maintain your spare tire. When the
time comes to use your spare tire, you will want it to perform as expected.
1. Check the spare tire pressure monthly.
2. Do not exceed 50 MPH speed or drive more than 300 miles with
your spare tire on your trailer.
3. A spare tire is generally only to be used when the normal tire is
damaged, flat or cannot hold air pressure. It should not be used for
long-term purposes. Use it for temporary and emergency purposes
only until you can reach the nearest tire service center.
TIRE INFORMATION
Other essential information concerning tire care:
• Statistically, it is better for a tire to be in use than idle. This is due
to lubricants beneficial to tire life that release when the tire is under
pressure and being used.
• Frequent use of the trailer tires prevents “flat spots” from forming
that are detrimental to the tire’s health.
• In hot climates, towing under high speeds significantly degrades
trailer tires. The heat a tire operates under in these conditions may
be higher than the ideal conditions it is engineered for. The heat
buildup can cause internal tire structure failure. Use moderate
speeds in higher temperature climates.
CENTER WEAR
EDGE WEAR
SIDE WEAR
TOE WEAR
CUPPING
FLAT SPOTS
CAUSE
WEAR PATTERN
Tire Wear Diagnostic Chart
ACTION
Adjust pressure to particular load.
Adjust pressure to particular load.
Make sure load doesn’t exceed axle
rating and perform alignment service.
Perform alignment service.
Check bearing adjustment and
balance tires.
Avoid sudden stops when possible
and adjust brakes.
Over Inflation
Under Inflation
Overloading or
loss of camber
Incorrect toe angle
Wheel lockup
and tire skidding
Tire out of balance
Do not leave the spare tire equipped for
more than 300 miles. It is intended only
as an emergency measure until you can
reach the nearest service center.
CAUTION
TOOLS NEEDED TO CHANGE A SPARE TIRE:
Hydraulic Jack (Two-Ton Capacity)
13/16" Torque Socket Wrench
or Tire Iron
Wheel Chocks
Flat Jack Pads, Hard Rubber Mat,
or Steel Plate
High Visibility Reflective Cones
and Road Flares
Spare Tire Tools
Do not attempt to jack up your trailer
with the equipped stabilizer jacks.
Stabilizer jacks are not engineered to
lift the trailer. Serious injury or death
could ensue.
DANGER
