How do I Change Trailer Tires?

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Trailers are a fairly common accessory to a wide variety of outdoor activities. Canoeists, kayakers and anglers often own trailers for towing their boats, while many campers enjoy the comforts of a pop-up trailer. Changing tires on a trailer is just as important to basic maintenance as changing the tire on your jeep, truck, or mountain bike. After all, if you can't haul your gear because of an accident or basic wear and tear, you can't make much use of it.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Wheel chocks
Trailer stand
Tire iron
Jack
Plank of wood (possible)

Step 1

Park the vehicle and trailer on solid, level ground. Chock one of the wheels on the opposite side of the trailer. If you need to disconnect your vehicle from the trailer, set up either a built-in or an external trailer stand for the tongue of the trailer. Many of these are simple, telescoping poles that you extend until they are firmly supporting the trailer tongue on the ground. It is best to leave the trailer attached to your vehicle's trailer hitch while changing the tire.

Step 2

Use the lug wrench to loosen (1/2 turn) the lug nuts on the wheel you're working on. Do not remove the lug nuts yet.

Step 3

Place the jack under the trailer's axle, if there's room. Otherwise, place the jack under the frame behind the axle, and as close to the axle as possible. Raise the jack until the wheel is off the ground.

Step 4

Remove the lug nuts the rest of the way and take the wheel off the trailer.

Step 5

Put the spare or repaired tire and wheel on the hub and install the lug nuts. Snug the lug nuts as much as you can.

Step 6

Lower the trailer back onto the ground. Tighten the lug nuts with the lug wrench--the weight of the trailer will now give you enough resistance to do so. Remove the wheel chock.

Tips & Warnings

If your trailer is carrying a heavy load or you are concerned about soft ground underneath it, place your jack on a wide plank of wood. This will spread the weight borne by the jack over a larger area.

Article Written By Edwin Thomas

Edwin Thomas has been writing since 1997. His work has appeared in various online publications, including The Black Table, Proboxing-Fans and others. A travel blogger, editor and writer, Thomas has traveled from Argentina to Vietnam in pursuit of stories. He holds a Master of Arts in international affairs from American University.

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