Wheels and tyres

The wheels and tyres need to be of heavy enough construction for the capacity of the trailer, but this is difficult if not impossible to assess accurately. Additionally, the wheels should not show signs of excessive corrosion. This wheel looks relatively sound but, if you look carefully, two wheel studs are broken off, indicating possible previous misuse and certainly a lack of proper maintenance. The remaining studs need checking to ensure the threads are sound before taking the trailer home, and the broken studs will need replacing at the earliest opportunity. Similarly, the bearing housing covers are missing, which is likely to mean that the wheel bearings will be worn due to dirt and water ingress. For safety’s sake, the bearings should be renewed at the earliest opportunity and new covers fitted. CheCk The COndiTiOn of the wheel bearings before taking the trailer home. Jack it up until the wheels can be turned freely, then rock each wheel from top to bottom and side to side. There should be a barely perceptible movement in each direction to show the bearings are properly adjusted, with enough free play to prevent overheating. Spin each wheel and listen to the bearings. They should spin with no appreciable noise. If there is a crackling, crunching noise from the bearings this indicates that the rollers or balls in the bearings have started to break up. A TrAiler in gOOd COndiTiOn will have steel-belted radial tyres of the correct rating, all bearing covers properly in position and all studs and nuts tight and clean.