Your Polar King Mobile refrigerated trailer is built to perform, but like any vehicle, it relies on properly maintained tires to stay safe, efficient, and road-ready. Whether you’re hauling frozen goods across town or delivering perishable products to multiple locations, tire inflation and rotation are essential to protecting your investment and keeping deliveries on schedule.
Proper Tire Inflation: The Foundation of Performance
Tire inflation might seem simple, but it’s one of the most important maintenance steps you can take.
Check tire pressure regularly, before every trip if possible, and at least once a month. Tires naturally lose air over time, and even small pressure differences can affect performance.
Underinflated tires create excess heat, reduce fuel efficiency, and increase the risk of a blowout. Overinflated tires, on the other hand, wear unevenly and can make your trailer less stable on the road.
Always inflate your tires to the manufacturer’s recommended PSI, which can be found on the tire sidewall or in your trailer’s owner’s manual. Using a reliable tire gauge ensures accuracy, and checking pressures when the tires are cold provides the most consistent reading.
Why You Should Rotate Your Trailer Tires
Just like with your tow vehicle, rotating trailer tires helps promote even wear and extends their lifespan. For tandem-axle trailers, this is especially important since each tire carries a slightly different load and experiences unique stress during turns and braking.
Here’s why regular rotation matters:
- Even wear: Without rotation, certain tires, such as the front ones, may wear faster due to steering and braking forces.
- Longer lifespan: Balanced wear means you’ll get more miles out of each tire, saving money over time.
- Safety: Evenly worn tires provide consistent traction, reducing the risk of blowouts and on-road hazards.
- Problem detection: Tire rotation can reveal other mechanical issues, like a misaligned axle or worn bearings, before they turn into major repairs.
How Often Should You Rotate Trailer Tires?
It’s generally recommended to rotate your trailer tires every 5,000–7,000 miles or at least once a year, depending on usage.
For tandem-axle trailers, use a crisscross (X) rotation pattern, swap the front left tire with the rear right, and the front right with the rear left. This pattern helps distribute wear evenly across all positions and compensates for turning and weight differences.
If you’re not comfortable rotating the tires yourself, a trusted trailer service provider can perform the rotation and inspect your tires for any damage, punctures, or signs of uneven wear.
Stay Safe and Extend the Life of Your Trailer
Keeping your trailer’s tires properly inflated and rotated isn’t just good maintenance, it’s a key part of safe, reliable operation. A well-maintained set of tires keeps your Polar King Mobile unit rolling smoothly, protects your cargo, and reduces downtime due to tire failures.
Before your next trip, take a few minutes to check tire pressure, inspect tread depth, and schedule a rotation if it’s due. Small steps like these go a long way toward ensuring your refrigerated trailer continues to deliver dependable performance mile after mile.