safety guidelines — TRAILERS
uniform Tire Quality grading standards (uTQgs)
Treadwear number: This number indicates the tire’s wear rate. The higher the treadwear number is, the longer it should take for the tread to wear down. For example, a tire graded 400 should last twice as long as a tire graded 200.
Traction Letter: This letter indicates a tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement. A higher graded tire should allow you to stop your car on wet roads in a shorter distance than a tire with a lower grade. Traction is graded from highest to lowest as “AA”,”A”, “B”, and “C”.
Temperature Letter: This letter indicates a tire’s resistance to heat. The temperature grade is for a tire that is infl ated properly and not overloaded. Excessive speed, underinfl ation or excessive loading, either separately or in combination, can cause heat
Refer to Figure K for additional tire information for light trucks.
Figure K. UTQGS Tire Information
Tires for light trucks have other markings besides those found on the sidewalls of passenger tires.
LT: The “LT” indicates the tire is for light trucks or trailers.
sT: An “ST” is an indication the tire is for trailer use only.
Max. Load Dual kg (lbs) at kPa (psi) Cold: This information indicates the maximum load and tire pressure when the tire is used as a dual, that is, when four tires are put on each rear axle (a total of six or more tires on the vehicle).
Max. Load single kg (lbs) at kPa (psi) Cold: This information indicates the maximum load and tire pressure when the tire is used as a single.
Load Range: This information identifi es the tire’s load- carrying capabilities and its infl ation limits.
Tire safety Tips
Slow down if you have to go over a pothole or other object in the road.
DO nOT run over curbs or other foreign objects in the roadway, and try not to strike the curb when parking.
Check tire infl ation pressure weekly during use to insure the maximum tire life and tread wear.
DO nOT bleed air from tires when they are hot.
Inspect tires for uneven wear patterns on the tread, cracks, foreign objects, or other signs of wear or trauma.
Remove bits of glass and foreign objects wedged in the tread.
Make sure your tire valves have valve caps.
aLWaYs check tire pressure on tow vehicle and trailer before towing. Check tire pressure at least once a month.
DO nOT overload tow vehicle. Check the tire information and loading placard for safe allowable tire loading conditions.
Tire Repair
The proper repair of a punctured tire requires a plug for the hole and a patch for the area inside the tire that surrounds the puncture hole. Punctures through the tread can be repaired if they are not too large, but punctures to the sidewall should not be repaired. Tires must be removed from the rim to be properly inspected before being plugged and patched.
Replacing Worn or Damaged Tires
Replace the tire before towing the trailer if the tire treads have less than 1/16 inch depth or the telltale bands are visible. Check infl ation pressure weekly during use to insure the maximum tire life and tread wear. A bubble, cut or bulge in a side wall can result in a tire blowout. Inspect both side walls of each tire for any bubble, cut or bulge; and replace a damaged tire before towing the trailer.
MLT20 SERIES LIGHT TOWER • operation manual — rev. #0 (01/18/13) — page 39
