Breaking into Trailer Season Without Breaking the Bank
Alas, after a seemingly never-ending winter, the signs of warmer weather are (finally) upon us. The days are getting longer, shoots of green are starting to add a splash of color to the monotone winter landscape and scraping ice off windshields is no longer a daily reality.
Most people call it springtime, but fairer weather for us means one thing—trailer weather.
You know what we’re talking about. The kind of weather that calls for you to take your horse on a new trail through the mountains. Or to round up your family and friends for a season-opening boat day. Or to dust off the camper and explore a new national park for a weekend. But before you set off on whichever inaugural adventure you’ve got planned for the upcoming months you’ve got to ask yourself: “Is my trailer ready for the open road?
Tire Check
So, you’ve checked your ball hitch and have got your chains in place, but have you thoroughly checked your tires? Checking trailer tires is often an afterthought, but all it takes is one set of bad tires to throw a proverbial wrench in your travel plans, so why risk it?
First, check the tread. We’re big advocates of the penny check—just place a penny with Abe’s head facing down in a groove on your tire. If you can still see the top of his head, it’s time for a new set of tires! However, just because your tread looks good doesn’t mean you’re in the clear.
Trailer tires tend to sit for long periods of time, making them more vulnerable to dry rot which happens when the rubber on your tire begins to degrade and dry out, causing it to crack. Take a look at your sidewalls and valve stems. Do you see any cracking? If no visible cracks are present, you’re good to go! If your tires have started to crack, however, it may be time for a new set. While shallow cracks and some discoloration are usually no cause for concern, deeper cracks are an ominous sign of a blowout while you’re on the road.
Finally, consider the age of your tire before giving them the green light. If you don’t know or can’t remember when you last purchased trailer tires, you can find the exact week and year of manufacture on the DOT code on the side of your tires. For example, if the last four numbers in the DOT code are 2610, that means that your tire was manufactured on the 26th week of 2010. It is recommended to replace trailer tires that are more than six years old.
A set of bad tires may set you back in your travel schedule if you hadn’t planned on replacing them, but a reliable replacement doesn’t have to have to eat up a sizeable chunk of your travel budget.
One Tire to Tow It All
Whether you’re towing a horse trailer, a camper, a boat or a utility trailer, they all have one thing in common: they’re your precious cargo and need a reliable set of tires to get them to their intended destinations.
Cue the Velocity WR078 Trailer Tires—a versatile tire that’ll keep your budget on track and, more importantly, your trailer safe on the way to yet another adventure. Featuring a ribbed tread pattern for traction and extra rubber under the tread for durability and protection against punctures, these tires are designed for whatever the road throws at them. Internally, they have twin steel belts running through them, promising long-lasting wear and an extra layer of tread stability.
Are you planning on traveling a long distance? How about at high speed? The Velocity WR078 tires have got your back. These tires are radial tires—meaning steel belts run at a 90-degree angle of the tread center line (the alternative, bias ply tires, consist of nylon belts running in a crisscross pattern 30-45 degrees of the tread center line). In laymen’s terms, it means that they’re tougher and run cooler, a critical feature when you’re driving long distances. Their flexible sidewalls also allow for a smoother ride, especially if you’re pulling horses (think more “cushion” for their legs).
So go ahead, pull the plug on that big cross-country trip you’d been planning since last fall! You’ll have the peace of mind and the budget to make it your best trailer season yet. After all, the warm weather is calling your name.
What to expect from your new Velocity WR078 Trailer Tires:
- Excellent handling and tread stability
- Quiet, smooth handling on the highway
- Extra rubber under the tread for protection from punctures, more stability, traction and wear
- Twin steel belts for tread stability, traction and durability
- Long tire life
- Peace of mind!
