Everything You Need to Know About Your Tires and Wheels
Everything You Need to Know About Your Tires and Wheels
Tire Installation
Before mounting tires onto wheels make and contour is approved for the tire as shown in the Tire and Rim Association Yearbook or the tire manufacturers catalog. Also make sure the tire will carry the rated load. If the load isn't equal on all tires due to trailer weight distribution, use the tire rated for the heaviest wheel position.
IMPORTANT
The capacity rating molded into the side wall of the tire isn't always the proper rating for the tire if used in a trailer application.
Use the following guideline :
LT and ST tires : Use the capacity rating molded into the tire ;
Passenger car tires : Use the capacity rating molded into the tire sidewall divided by 1.10.
Tire Air Pressure
Use tire mounting procedures as outlined by the rubber manufacturers association or the tire manufacturers. Tire air pressure is the most important factor in tire life. Inflation pressure should be as recommended by the manufacturer for the load. The diagnostics table below you will help to detect the possible causes of wear and to remedy.
IMPORTANT
Tire wear should be checked frequently because once a wear pattern becomes firmly established in a tire it's difficult to stop, even if the underlying cause is corrected. If in doubt, Frameco strongly recommends that all maintenance and repair work be performed by qualified and competent professionals, such as your trailer manufacturer..
Tire Wear Diagnostics Chart
Wear pattern
Cause
Action
Center wear
Over inflation
Adjust pressure to particular load per tire catalog
Edge wear
Under inflation
Adjust pressure to particular load per tire catalog
Side wear
Loss of camber or overloading
Make sure load does not exceed axle rating
Toe wear
Incorrect toe-in
Correct toe-in
Cupping
Out-of-balance
Check bearing adjustment and balance tires
Flat spots
Wheel lockup and tire skidding
Avoid sudden stops when possible and adjust brakes
Torque Requirements
It's extremely important to apply and maintain proper wheel mounting torque on your trailer axle. Torque is a measure of the amount of tightening applied to a fastener (nut or bolt) and is expressed as length times force. For example, a force of 90 pounds applied at the end of wrench one foot long will yield 90 lbs.-ft. of torque. Torque wrenches are the best method to insure the proper amount of torque is being applied to a fastener.
IMPORTANT
Wheel nuts or bolts must be applied and maintained at the proper torque levels to prevent loose wheels, broken studs, and possible dangerous separation of wheels from your axle. Be sure to use only the fasteners matched to the cone angle of your wheel (usually 60° or 90°). Follow the next steps to tighten the wheels.
Start all bolts or nuts by hand to prevent cross threading ;
Tighten bolts or nuts in the following sequence ;
4 studs
5 studs
6 studs
8 studs
The tightening of the fasteners should be done in stages. Following the recommended sequence, tighten fasteners per wheel torque chart below ;
Wheel nuts/bolts should be torqued before first road use and after each wheel removal. Check and re-torque after the first 15 km, 40 km and again at 80 km. Check periodically thereafter.
Wheel Torque Requirements
Wheel
Torque sequence
size
1st stage
2nd stage
3rd stage
12"
20-25
35-40
50-75
13"
20-25
35-40
50-75
14"
20-25
50-60
90-120
15"
20-25
50-60
90-120
16"
20-25
50-60
90-120
17"
20-25
60-80
150-170
Parameters of U-bolts Tightening Torque, Springs and Stabilizers
