horse trailer safety news, usrider updates, trailer safety, tire tariff, trailer news
Before you store your trailer
for the winter, perform preventive
maintenance. This is important not
only in case an emergency arises,
but also to ensure that your trailer
will be in optimal shape for the
upcoming riding season.
A recent research project cosponsored
by USRider illustrates
the importance of maintaining
horse trailers. The data showed
that a leading cause of trailer
wrecks is lack of proper maintenance.
Follow these trailer-storagepreparation
tips:
Take stock. Evaluate the trailer’s tires,
emergency breakaway battery, and
overall condition. Make any needed repairs
and upgrades. Check the contents
of equine and human first-aid kits. Replace
depleted and out-of-date items.
(For a veterinarian-recommended list
of items for an equine first-aid kit, visit
www.usrider.org.)
Baby the battery. Remove the emergency
breakaway battery, and store it
In September, President Obama
imposed a 35% tariff — in addition to
the existing 4% duty — on tires imported
into the U.S. from China. While
the full effects of the tariff are yet to be
felt, many experts believe the tariff will
actually increase pricing on all tires.
In light of the predicted price
increases, USRider recommends that
horse owners consider buying new
tires now to avoid the higher prices.
Through its ongoing study of trailer
USRider ® Equestrian Motor Plan
Hitch Up! e-Magazine ��Fall 2009
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Trailer-Storage Prep
inside. Charge the battery at least every
90 days.
Wash and wax. Thoroughly wash and
clean your trailer’s interior and exterior,
and wax its painted surfaces. Remove
and clean under any rubber mats.
Oil moving parts. Lubricate mechanical
moving parts, such as the hitch
and suspension parts that are exposed
to the weather, plus hinges and jack
stands.
Store indoors or cover. If possible,
store your trailer inside, out of the
Tire-Tariff Impact
accidents, USRider has determined
that tire issues are the leading cause of
disablements involving horse trailers
and contribute to many wrecks.
As a precautionary measure,
USRider recommends replacing trailer
tires every three to five years — even
if they have low miles — due to dry
rotting.
Purchase from high-volume dealers,
so you get “fresh” tires. Don’t buy
tires that have been on the shelf for a
CLiX PHOTO
Before you store your trailer for
the winter, perform preventive
maintenance to ensure that
it’ll be in optimal shape for the
upcoming riding season.
elements. If inside storage isn’t
available, purchase a trailer cover.
Cover the tires, as well. Trailer and
tire covers are available through
trailer and RV dealers.
Offset weight. After your trailer
is in position, jack it up, and place
jack stands under the trailer frame
so that the weight will be off the tires.
Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines to
lift and support the unit. Never jack up
or place jack stands on the axle tube
or on the equalizers. For maximum
bearing life, turn the wheels every two
to three weeks during periods
of prolonged storage. This is expecially
important on oil-lubricated hubs, as
the upper part of each roller bearing is
not immersed in oil, so it is subject to
potential corrosion. USR
year or two — or longer. Each tire has
a manufactured date stamped on it; a
reputable dealer should have no problem
providing the date for you.
Always request a new valve stem.
If the valve stem is metal, have the
valve core replaced. (For additional
safety tips, visit www.usrider.org, and
navigate to the Equine Travel Safety
Area.) USR
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