Tandom trailer blowout

[joemd11]

Wow, I had no idea there are different valve stems for different applications. I recently bought 3 new Green ball tires (kudos Diamondpilot) for my utility trailer. Will have to check what valve stems they installed.
Last week the TPM in the wifes 4Runner came on. I checked all 4 tires and the pressure was fine but the light was still on. Stood there scratching my head till it dawned on me - check the spare tire dummy! Sure enough, it was the low one.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Wow, I had no idea there are different valve stems for different applications. I recently bought 3 new Green ball tires (kudos Diamondpilot) for my utility trailer. Will have to check what valve stems they installed.
Last week the TPM in the wifes 4Runner came on. I checked all 4 tires and the pressure was fine but the light was still on. Stood there scratching my head till it dawned on me - check the spare tire dummy! Sure enough, it was the low one.

Yea, most of your rubber stems are only good for Load Range C 50 psi tires. I find that even most of the tire shops are uneducated on valve stems.

Chris

 

[Xfaxman]

Valve stems come in different lengths also. I use the shortest metal ones on my trailer, since there no hubcaps.

 

[Soundguy]

This trailer was last used 3 months before, which was also the last time tire pressures were measured and were appropriate. The trailer was dug out of 2 feet of snow for use, visual inspection, lights, brakes all checked but inflation pressures were not checked!!!! Trailer electronic brake gain set appropriately. Should tire inflation pressures be checked with every use ?

View attachment 305382



View attachment 305383

Tires: Trail America ST205 75D 15

i don't even pull off my farm without checking the tire pressure.

if I stop for a meal while hauling a load, I walk around and thump and look at all the tires.. etc.

 

[texasjohn]

Agree with all this.


check tire pressure with gauge weekly. visual check only inadequate

check visually AFTER loading trailer, each time, learn how to notice low pressure

use high pressure valve stems, there is a difference, metal are preferred.

include spare in pressure check

I, too, carry two spares, 4 way spinner and heavy duty jack.


am glad your government services were truly beneficial...both LEO and roadside assistance...government being more useful than private enterprise...worth noting!

 

[crazyal]

To add to the discussion about valve stems I'll say this. Get ones made with EPDM. It's a synthetic rubber, not the natural stuff that China uses in almost everything. Natural rubber dry rots in a year or two while the EPDM will last a heck of a lot longer. On top of that EPDM will remain flexible in cold weather where as thee rubber doesn't and will leak. When I asked about what pressure they were rated for they laughed at me, joked about not being cheap natural rubber, and then said more than 120 psi. So I bought a box of 50. It was something like $3 for 2 or $13 for a box of 50. The first thing you notice is they don't stick like fresh rubber when you open the box.
BlackJack Tire Repair | Snap In Valve Stems

 

[schmism]

I check tire pressures EVERY time i take the trailer out before i load it up. I also recheck them after im on the road, usually at my first fuel stop. I also check tire temp (by hand) and hub temp (by hand) to verify no-ones doing something they should be and overheating. If on a long road trip, ill do the same hand check at each fuel stop. After the first pressure check with gauge, i generally just do a knock test for sound on subsequent stops.

OH i also do the tow vehicle tire check.

 

[David_Kb7uns]

I check tire pressures EVERY time i take the trailer out before i load it up. I also recheck them after im on the road, usually at my first fuel stop. I also check tire temp (by hand) and hub temp (by hand) to verify no-ones doing something they should be and overheating. If on a long road trip, ill do the same hand check at each fuel stop. After the first pressure check with gauge, i generally just do a knock test for sound on subsequent stops.

OH i also do the tow vehicle tire check.

Always have been careful about checking by hand as you got a real hot hub or stuck brake you could get a good burn got singed by a bearing once. Carry one of those cheap $30 IR thermometers that will tell you temp within a few degrees and you can actually see if the front to rear tires or brakes are doing their fare share of the work.


David Kb7uns

 

[yelbike]

Always have been careful about checking by hand as you got a real hot hub or stuck brake you could get a good burn got singed by a bearing once. Carry one of those cheap $30 IR thermometers that will tell you temp within a few degrees and you can actually see if the front to rear tires or brakes are doing their fare share of the work.

David Kb7uns

That's what I do plus I can check the transmission oil pan temp. I don't have a gauge in my dash. I try and measure the same spot every time. If the temp changes to much you can tell something is wrong or pushing to hard.

 

[aczlan]

Always have been careful about checking by hand as you got a real hot hub or stuck brake you could get a good burn got singed by a bearing once. Carry one of those cheap $30 IR thermometers that will tell you temp within a few degrees and you can actually see if the front to rear tires or brakes are doing their fare share of the work.

Yep, I have one of those that I got to check temperatures in the furnace and it has lots of uses. Used it last night to measure the temperature differential in my car radiator for a discussion on the Volvo list I am on.

Aaron Z