What are trailer tyres?

Trailers can be a useful means of carrying big and bulky goods or belongings. But be careful not to fall into the trap of thinking that because you use your trailer far less frequently than your car or van and because the trailer is being towed, the tyres you use are less important. And it is not simply the case that you can use the same tyres as you use on your other vehicles.

Trailers are designed to carry heavy loads safely and efficiently and as such, they need suitable trailer tyres which are able to withstand this weight. Trailer tyres are engineered to support excess weight and help you to remain safe when towing a trailer.

What happens if I don't use trailer tyres on my trailer?

Tyres play a crucial role in the safety of any vehicle, whether it's a car, van or trailer. You need to check tread, balance and tyre pressure are all correct to ensure your vehicle performs safely and efficiently. Failing to use the right tyres on a vehicle can jeopardise your safety on the roads. Frequently carrying loads that exceed the maximum weight indicated by a tyre manufacturer can lead to excessive and rapid wear and tyre failure.

How do I know what tyres to use on my trailer?

To find the right tyres for your trailer, you need to look out for several crucial pieces of information, namely load index, speed index and tyre size. Load index is the maximum weight that a trailer tyre can safely support and the higher this number, the more weight it can bear. The speed index shows the maximum safe speed at which a tyre can travel, while trailer tyres also come in a range of sizes which are measured in inches.

If you need help and support to find the right trailer tyres for your trailer, you can get in touch with your local Protyre garage. Our tyre professionals will be happy to help you select the right type of tyres for your trailer.

What is the law governing tyres for trailers?

In the UK, trailer tyres are covered by the same laws as regular car tyres. Cars and trailers up to 3.500kg must have a tread depth of 1.6mm across the centre three quarters of the tyre and around the circumference of the tyre. Government guidance recommends that before travelling with a trailer, drivers should check that the tyres on both the car and trailer:-

- are not cut and have no bulges

- are inflated in line with the manufacturer's specification according to the load being carried

- each tyre has a tread depth of at least 1.6mm around the circumference of the tyre and across the central three quarters of the breadth of the tread

- check that the wheel nuts and bolts are tightened correctly

- check that mudguards are securely fitted to the trailer

Driving with illegal tyres can carry big penalties. The driver of any vehicle, whether a car or trailer, found with tyres below the legal tread depth limit can receive three penalty points on their licence and a fine of up to £2,500 for each illegal tyre.

How to look after your trailer tyres

It can be easy to neglect the health of the tyres on your trailer, especially if your trailer only makes infrequent journeys. However, even tyres that are left inactive for longer periods can face problems too.

Check tyre pressure

Tyres that are not used regularly can lose pressure. Beware however, as the tyres on a trailer can be deceptive. On an empty trailer, your tyres may appear to be inflated adequately, but once under the weight of a load, they may not fare so well. Underinflated tyres can lead to uneven wear, damage and cracks along the sidewall of the tyre and mean your car has to work harder, leading to more higher consumption. It can also cause a trailer to lose grip or fail to fully absorb the bumps in the road.

You can use at-home pressure gauges to find out the pressure of your trailer's tyres or visit your local Protyre garage, where we can check them for you. To find out the pressure per square inch (PSI) to which your trailer tyre should be inflated, check the handbook for your trailer.

Check trailer tyre tread depth

Worn tyres mean the contact patch between the vehicle and the road is not up to scratch. Worn tyres are particularly dangerous in wet weather. Many of today's tyre manufacturers, including leading brands such as Pirelli, Falken and Bridgestone, have tread wear indicators in the grooves of their tyres. These can be seen when tyres become worn down to a dangerous depth. It is also possible to check tread using a tyre tread depth gauge, a purpose-made tool which checks the depth of a groove.

One of the best ways to check the tread depth of your tyres involves a simple 20p piece. Place the coin vertically into the grooves between the tyre tread. If the raised edge of the 20p piece are not visible, the tyres are legal. If you cannot see the coin's border, then the tread depth is too low and the tyre needs to be replaced.

It is recommended that vehicles, including trailers, should have a minimum tread depth of 3mm, even though the legal limit is 1.6mm. This is to give drivers of cars and trailers the safest experience and ability to handle different weather conditions safely. Tests have shown that once tyres fall below a depth of 3mm, stopping distances can increase dramatically.

Book a free tyre check

Get your trailer's tyres checked at one of Protyre's 157 UK garages. We carry out free tyre checks, including tread depth and tyre pressure checks, helping you to tow your trailer safely and efficiently. If you are searching for 'trailer tyres near me', our qualified fitters can offer trailer tyres advice to help you find the right ones.