How to Change a Trailer Tire: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

A flat tire on the highway is stressful. A flat tire while towing a trailer is even worse. If you don’t know how to change a trailer tire, a simple blowout can turn into a dangerous roadside situation.

The good news? Changing a trailer tire is not hard once you know the right steps. In this guide, you’ll learn exactly what tools you need, how to stay safe on the roadside, and how to swap out a flat tire on almost any type of trailer, whether it’s a utility trailer, a camper, a boat trailer, or a double-axle unit.

By the end of this article, you’ll be able to handle a trailer tire blowout with confidence instead of panic.

Read Also:
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How to Change a Flat Tire
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Why Trailer Tires Fail More Often Than Car Tires

Before we get into the steps, it helps to understand why trailer tires cause so much trouble in the first place.

Trailer tires are built differently from regular car tires. Most trailers use ST tires vs passenger tires meaning “Special Trailer” tires, which have stiffer sidewalls designed to carry heavy loads and resist sway. But this stiffness also makes them more likely to fail suddenly if they are underinflated, overloaded, or old.

Common Causes of a Trailer Tire Blowout

Here are the most common trailer tire blowout causes:

• Overloaded trailer tire failure – Carrying more weight than the tire is rated for causes excess heat buildup.
• Trailer tire dry rot – Trailer tires often sit unused for months, and the rubber cracks from age and UV exposure, even if the tread looks fine.
• Low tire pressure – Underinflated tires flex too much, which builds heat and weakens the tire structure.
• Wrong tire type – Using passenger tires instead of proper ST tires on a heavy trailer.
• Old age – Even tires with good tread can fail if they are more than 5-7 years old.

Knowing why do trailer tires blow out helps you prevent the next flat before it happens.

Tools You Need Before You Start

Having the right gear ready makes a flat trailer tire repair quick and stress-free. Keep these items in your tow vehicle or trailer storage box at all times:

1. Spare tire trailer (fully inflated and matched to your trailer’s bolt pattern)
2. Trailer jack (bottle jack or scissor jack, rated for your trailer’s weight)
3. Lug wrench or trailer tire iron
4. Torque wrench for trailer wheels (for correct final tightening)
5. Wheel chocks (at least two)
6. Jack stands (extra safety once the trailer is lifted)
7. Tire pressure gauge
8. A flashlight, gloves, and reflective safety vest

Scissor Jack vs Bottle Jack for Trailer: Which One to Choose

This is a common question among trailer owners. Here’s a simple breakdown:

• Scissor jack – Lightweight, compact, and easy to store. Good for smaller utility trailers and lighter loads.
• Bottle jack – Lifts heavier loads faster and is more stable on uneven ground. Better for camper trailer tire change or larger RVs.

Many owners also keep a Harbor Freight trailer jack in their toolkit since it’s affordable and widely available.

Step-by-Step: How to Change a Trailer Tire

Follow these steps carefully. The process is nearly the same whether you’re doing a boat trailer tire change, an RV trailer tire replacement, or fixing a small cargo trailer.

Step 1: Pull Over Safely

The moment you notice a flat tire while towing, don’t panic just slow down gradually.

• Turn on your hazard lights immediately for trailer safety on the roadside.
• Find a flat, stable spot as far from traffic as possible.
• Avoid slamming the brakes, since sudden braking can cause trailer sway on a flat tire.
• Set the parking brake once fully stopped.

This is one of the most important towing safety tips most accidents during tire changes happen because people don’t move far enough away from moving traffic.

Step 2: Set Up for Safety

Before touching any tools:

• Place wheel chocks in front of and behind the tires on the opposite side of the trailer from the flat one. This keeps the trailer from rolling while it’s lifted.
• If you’re on a slope or soft ground, try to move the trailer (if safe) or use a flat board under the jack for a solid base.
• If you’re changing a tire on the highway safely, stand on the side away from traffic while working.

Step 3: Loosen the Lug Nuts

While the tire is still on the ground, use your lug wrench to loosen the lug nuts slightly turn counterclockwise. Don’t remove them yet. Loosening them now is easier because the tire’s weight keeps it from spinning.

Step 4: Lift the Trailer with a Jack

Place your trailer jack under the frame or axle, never under the trailer’s floor or body panel. Check your owner’s manual for the exact recommended jack point.

• Pump the jack slowly until the flat tire is a few inches off the ground.
• For extra safety, slide a jack stand under the frame as backup support.
• Never place any part of your body under the trailer while it’s only supported by a jack.

Step 5: Remove the Flat Tire

Now finish removing the lug nuts completely and set them somewhere safe, like a small container or your pocket. Pull the flat tire straight off the hub and set it aside.

Step 6: Inspect the Wheel Hub

While the wheel is off, take 60 seconds to check the hub area. Look for:

• Cracked or leaking wheel bearings
• A worn-out Bearing Buddy cap (if your trailer has one)
• Rust, damage, or loose parts on the studs

This quick check can catch a bigger problem before it leaves you stranded again.

Step 7: Mount the Spare Tire

Lift the spare tire trailer onto the hub, lining up the bolt holes with the studs. Push it on until it sits flush against the hub.

Step 8: Tighten the Lug Nuts (Star Pattern)

Thread the lug nuts on by hand first, then tighten them in a star (crisscross) pattern, not in a circle. This spreads the pressure evenly across the wheel and prevents warping.

Step 9: Lower the Trailer and Final Torque

Slowly lower the jack until the tire touches the ground and takes on the trailer’s weight. Remove the jack, then finish tightening the lug nuts using a torque wrench for trailer wheels.

Follow standard lug nut torque specs, which are usually printed in your trailer’s manual or on the hub itself (commonly between 90-120 ft-lbs for most trailers, though this varies by wheel size).

Pro tip: Re-check torque after driving 10, 25, and 50 miles. Lug nuts can loosen slightly as a new wheel “seats” itself.

How to Change a Tire on a Double Axle Trailer

Changing a tire on a double axle trailer is a bit different since there are four (or more) tires close together.

• If the flat tire is on the same axle as another tire, you may need to lift both sides slightly, or use a Rapid Jack-style ramp that lets you drive the good tire up onto a ramp, lifting the flat tire off the ground without a manual jack.
• Chock the tires on the axle you are NOT lifting to prevent rolling.
• Because double-axle trailers are heavier, use a jack rated for the full trailer weight, not just one tire’s share.

How to Change a Tire on a Utility Trailer vs a Travel Trailer

The core process for how to change a tire on a utility trailer and how to change a tire on a travel trailer is the same, but a few things differ:

Trailer Type	Key Difference
Utility trailer	Lighter, smaller jack works fine; easier to lift by hand in emergencies
Travel trailer / RV	Heavier, needs a stronger bottle jack and stabilizer jacks may already be down retract them first
Boat trailer	Often sits low; may need a jack with extended reach; check for a bunk or roller in the way
Camper trailer	Similar to travel trailers; always chock wheels since campers are often parked unevenly

Preventing Future Flats: Trailer Tire Maintenance Tips

A little maintenance goes a long way in avoiding another roadside repair.

Check Tire Pressure Regularly

Follow the trailer tire pressure recommendations printed on the tire’s sidewall not the number for your tow vehicle. Check pressure monthly with a tire pressure gauge, including the spare.

Watch for Tire Wear Patterns

Uneven trailer tire wear patterns often signal a bigger issue:

• Wear on both edges = underinflation
• Wear in the center = overinflation
• Cracking on the sidewall = dry rot, even with good tread depth

Know Your Trailer Tire Lifespan

Even with light use, most manufacturers recommend replacement based on age, not just tread. A general rule for trailer tire lifespan:

• Replace every 5 years regardless of tread depth
• Never use a tire older than 7 years, even if it looks new
• Popular options include Carlisle trailer tires and Goodyear Marathon trailer tires, both known for solid performance on utility and RV trailers

How Often to Replace Trailer Tires

As a simple guideline for how often to replace trailer tires:

• Heavy-use trailers (frequent towing): every 3-5 years
• Occasional-use trailers: every 5-7 years
• Always earlier if you notice cracking, bulging, or blistering

Emergency Roadside Trailer Repair: What to Keep in Your Vehicle

For any emergency roadside trailer repair, keep a dedicated kit in your tow vehicle:

• Fully inflated spare (check it before every trip)
• Complete tool kit listed earlier in this article
• A small air compressor for topping off pressure
• Reflective triangles in addition to hazard lights
• Work gloves and a headlamp for night repairs

If you tow a U-Haul trailer, note that most rental locations offer roadside tire assistance check your rental agreement before attempting a repair yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I know if my trailer tire pressure is correct? Check the sidewall of the tire for the manufacturer’s recommended PSI, and measure it with a tire pressure gauge when the tire is cold, before towing.

2. Can I use a regular car jack to change a trailer tire? It’s not recommended. Trailer jacks and bottle jacks are built for the weight and shape of trailer frames, while car jacks may not lift high enough or hold the load safely.

3. Why did my trailer tire blow out even though the tread looked fine? This is usually caused by dry rot or age-related cracking inside the rubber, which isn’t always visible from the tread. Tires older than 5-7 years should be replaced even with good tread.

4. Is it safe to change a trailer tire on the highway shoulder? Only if you can pull far enough away from traffic, turn on hazard lights, and work on the side away from moving vehicles. If space is too tight, call for roadside assistance instead.

5. How tight should trailer lug nuts be? Follow the torque specs from your trailer’s manual, tightened in a star pattern with a torque wrench. Most trailers fall between 90-120 ft-lbs, but always confirm the exact number for your wheel size.

Final Thoughts

Learning how to change a trailer tire is one of the most useful skills any trailer owner can have. With the right tools a good trailer jack, lug wrench, wheel chocks, and a properly inflated spare you can handle a flat safely, whether you’re hauling a boat, a camper, or a utility trailer.

Just as important as knowing how to fix a flat is knowing how to prevent one. Check your tire pressure often, watch for wear patterns, and replace tires based on age, not just tread depth. A few minutes of maintenance now can save you hours of trouble on the road later.