Are Trailer Tires that are 7 Years Old and Inflated to Half Max Pressure Rating Safe to Use

Question:

I bought a used enclosed trailer with single axle Dexter 3500# suspension. I drove the empty trailer home about 250 miles with no issues, as tires showed little wear and appeared to be properly inflated ST215/75R14 Provider I didn’t know about DOT trailer tire age markings until reading info on your site and recommended max cold tire pressure. I inspected tire pressures and found them inflated to only 25 psi, instead of recommended 50 psi. DOT tire age shows they were made in November of 2013, over six years old. Is it ok to run these tires at lower psi when running empty 1000# empty trailer weight and can I use these tires still based on almost new tread wear only?

asked by: Greg

Expert Reply:

We don't recommend using trailer tires that are over 6 years old as they are much prone to failure. The tread may look fine but the tire overall is most likely dry rotting and beginning to lose it's integrity. Also, we have to recommend you run the tires at max tire pressure at all times. Failure to do so will cause heat to build up due to too much sidewall flex/heat which will also cause premature failure. Basically running a 6 year old trailer tire at half the max pressure rating is a recipe for tire failure. You may have gotten away with it on your drive home but the odds won't be in your favor.

It would be best to go with new tires and to run them at the recommended max pressure rating like with the Provider part # TTWTR21514 which it sounds like you have now.

expert reply by: Jameson C