TIRE & WHEEL MAINTENANCE
Pre-Departure Trailer Safety Checklist
TIRES
- Check and correct tire pressure, inflate to manufacturer’s specification.
- Inspect each tire for excessive or irregular treadwear, cracks, and bulges. If you find any issues, it’s important to replace the suspect tire before towing.
- Make sure the spare tire is inflated properly.
WHEELS
- Ensure the wheel lug nuts are tightened to the correct torque.
- Inspect wheels for damage including cracks and dents causing out-of-roundness.
- Make sure to bring a lug wrench of sized for the trailer
TRAILER
- Ensure the hitch, coupler, draw bar, and any other connective equipment is
properly secured and adjusted. - Check that the trailer wiring is securely connected to the tow vehicle with enough
slack to turn fully without accidental disconnection. - Verify that trailer brakes, running lights, brake lights, turn signals, and hazard light
are functional - Check load distribution to make sure the trailer is balanced with the proper tongue
weight both front to back and side to side - Ensure the trailer jack and any stabilizers are raised and lock