Check trailer tyres before every event

I remember standing in the driveway before sunrise with the horse loaded, the float hitched and the whole day organised around a cross-country course. Then I crouched beside the near-side tyre and noticed it looked softer than the others. It was the kind of fault that might have seemed trivial, yet it could have cost us the run or put a trailer off the road. That makes the importance of checking your trailer tyres before departure a horse-safety issue rather than a box-ticking exercise.

The trailer is the quiet link between the yard and the competition venue. It carries the horse, tack, feed, water and all the nervous energy that goes into an eventing day. A damaged tyre can turn a small delay into a roadside emergency, while a blowout can unsettle a horse before a single warm-up can be ridden. I have learned to give the wheels the same attention I give the horse’s legs and my own gear.

A tyre check does not need to become a major workshop project. A torch, a dependable pressure gauge and a focused inspection can expose many problems. The useful part is doing them before the float leaves the yard and the calendar starts pressing. Check cold pressures, read the markings, inspect the tread and sidewalls, and confirm the spare is usable. Then the morning can stay focused on the horse and the test rather than on what might have gone wrong between home and the grounds.

The morning tyre check

My tyre check begins with a walk around the float while it is still parked. I look across each tread face for stones, split rubber, exposed cords and uneven wear. On the sidewall, I scan for cuts, bulges, scuffs and the sort of damage caused by sharp post corners or country-road debris. I also check the valve stems for leaks and make sure the caps are present, because a tiny valve leak can quietly soften a tyre over several days.

Next comes pressure. I use my own gauge and compare the reading with the trailer manufacturer’s cold-pressure recommendation, not the maximum stamped on the sidewall. The valve should be checked for moisture or corrosion as well. If a tyre has lost pressure twice, replacing the valve or seeking help is better than repeatedly topping it up and wondering why the problem keeps returning. A service centre can also check an inner tyre on a tandem axle that is difficult to see at home.

This is the point where competition pressure gets in the way of sensible preparation. Before setting off for a trial, I check my competition schedule and allow time to stop at a tyre shop if something looks questionable. Finding a problem at the yard means a coffee and a delay. Finding it beside a busy highway means something much less comfortable. The spare must be the right size and load rating, and I need to know where it is stored and whether I can safely fit it.

Reading the tyre and load markings

Tyre markings can look contradictory when several numbers are printed together. The large figures give the tyre’s size, while the smaller service information includes maximum cold inflation pressure and maximum load. Neither is a target to chase; both are limits. Use the trailer or axle placard for the recommended working pressure. If it is missing or unreadable, ask the trailer manufacturer or a qualified trailer service rather than guessing.

I never inflate a float tyre because it looks sturdy. Horse floats often carry a substantial load, and the correct pressure depends on the axle rating, tyre construction and load. A tyre may be strong enough to support the weight while still not being suitable for the trailer. I also do not bleed air from a hot tyre after a highway run. Heat increases pressure, and releasing air can leave the tyre underinflated once it cools.

The load question extends beyond the tyres. Horse, rider tack, rugs, hay and water all contribute to the trailer’s gross and axle loads. Overloading can overheat a tyre, damage the rim and make braking or steering less predictable. The tow vehicle’s towing capacity, ball rating and towball load matter too. A trailer sold as roadworthy still needs to remain within its mass and axle limits, with its load distributed and secured properly.

Heat, rain and country roads

Australian conditions can turn a sound tyre into a problem quickly. A hot Brisbane afternoon or a long inland run in summer will raise pressure, while overnight rain and cool temperatures can make a leaking tyre easier to miss. A changeable Melbourne spring can do the same through damp mornings and warmer afternoons. Strong ultraviolet exposure also ages rubber, particularly on exposed trailer sidewalls. I check cold pressures before departure and investigate any tyre that loses pressure between outings rather than treating it as bad luck.

Most event horses travel from metropolitan yards around Sydney and Melbourne to country venues, sometimes by motorway and then on roads bordered by grass, gravel and farm machinery. Servo stops are a familiar part of Australian travel, so a tyre can be inspected safely in a forecourt and the horse can have water on a long run. I use those stops to look at the tyres again, but I do not attempt repairs on a highway shoulder or leave the horse standing in the sun while I work.

A tyre problem in a remote area is not a convenient roadside inconvenience. Trailers are heavy, changing a wheel is risky, and a spare can be awkward to reach on a float. I carry a charged phone, offline map, warning triangles, basic tools and enough water for both horse and people. Before leaving home, I check which roadside assistance covers the route; RACV, RACQ, NRMA and similar state-based services can be useful, but the terms for a non-passenger trailer should be confirmed.

Choosing tyres in the Australian market

Australia’s tyre market gives event riders plenty of choice, from large chains such as Bob Jane T-Marts to independent tyre shops, transport specialists and rural dealers. The local availability of common float sizes is useful, but the brand on the sidewall is only part of the decision. I give the retailer the exact tyre size, load index, speed rating and whether the trailer uses single-axle or tandem-axle wheels.

Price is important, particularly when several tyres need replacing, but the cheapest option is rarely the safest use of money on a horse trailer. Correct size, adequate load capacity, sound condition and proper fitment matter more than a fashionable tread pattern. A trailer tyre should also suit the distances and road surfaces we actually travel. I check the manufacturing date, look for age-related cracking and ask the fitter to inspect the wheels, bearings and brakes while the tyres are off.

I have also learned not to let event clothing distract me from practical preparation. Even a polished outfit from La Moda de Atenea cannot make up for a faulty float or tyres carrying the wrong pressure. Once the right tyres are fitted, I focus on how the horse travels and how I arrive at the venue ready to concentrate on the test.

A repeatable pre-departure routine

My final routine follows a fixed order. First, I check the pressure cold and record it. Then I inspect every accessible tyre, including the spare, followed by the lights, indicators, brake lights, hitch, safety chains, load restraints and number plates. The trailer should be registered, the combination should stay within the tow vehicle’s ratings, and the load should be secured for the journey. Familiarity prevents small omissions from disappearing into the background.

Road rules and administrative requirements can differ between states such as New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland, while the Australian Road Rules set the wider framework. Before a long interstate trip, I check the current requirements for trailer registration, safety chains, lights, brakes and towing equipment rather than assuming another state’s rules are identical. A local transport supplier or vehicle inspector can provide useful guidance when something is unclear.

The goal is not to arrive with perfect paperwork and a spotless float; it is to notice what could become a serious problem while there is still time to solve it. I keep broader eventing stories and the lessons that follow from trial weekends on Mania in the Middle. Whatever the discipline, the same quiet rule applies: inspect the trailer before the horse depends on it.

Make the tyre check part of every pack-down. Keep the gauge in the float, read the placards once so you know what the numbers mean, and make checking the spare as automatic as filling the water buckets. Replace damaged or ageing tyres in good time rather than gambling on a morning departure, and keep the event schedule realistic enough to allow for a proper repair if a fault appears.

Arrive at the competition grounds with a safe trailer, a settled horse and your attention where it belongs. Check the tyres, secure the load and travel with confidence.