Become A Commercial Trailer Tire Inspection Expert: 5-Point Checklist

When was the last time you inspected your commercial trailer tires?

In Ontario, all commercial motor vehicles must meet strict safety standards stipulated in the Highway Traffic Act, and the penalties for driving unsafe vehicles are severe.

And while some drivers think otherwise, these requirements do not end once you’ve completed your safety standards certificate, annual, and semi-annual inspections. According to the Government of Ontario website, “daily inspections must be completed by the driver or other person on behalf of the operator,” and a big part of that inspection time will be dedicated to your commercial trailer tires.

To help you avoid any non-compliance penalties and stay safe in the long run, we’ve assembled a simple, 5-point checklist you use to become a commercial trailer tire inspection expert. Read on to learn more, or contact your local TIRECRAFT to discuss inspection requirements and commercial trailer tire solutions.

5-Point Commercial Trailer Tire Inspection Checklist

1. Check your commercial trailer tire air pressure. Even when they’re not in use, your tires will lose air pressure over time, typically at a rate of about 1-3 PSI per month. Transport Canada recommends all drivers check their air pressure at least once per month, but commercial drivers should check every day—as detailed in Ontario Regulation 199/07, leaky tires are considered major defects, and air pressure checks can help you spot and fix small leaks before your tires become unsafe to drive. Handheld pressure gauges are inexpensive and easy to find, and you’ll find plenty for sale at your local TIRECRAFT.

2. Check the sidewall and tread for damage. Any cracks, punctures, blistering, or bald spots must be reported as minor defects, and exposed cords in the tread or outer sidewall are classified as major defects.

3. Check your commercial trailer tire manufacturing date. Commercial trailer tires are built to last, but not to last forever. Most commercial trailer tires are good for 4 to 7 years, so check the manufacturing date to make sure you’re not pushing the product life. On the sidewall, next to the DOT (Department of Transportation) marking, you’ll find a 4-digit number (e.g. 5009). This represents when the tire was produced, with the first two digits representing the week, and the last two digits representing the year. Thus, in our example, commercial trailer tires marked 5009 would have been manufactured on the 50th week of 2009, so it’s time for a replacement!

4. Check your commercial trailer tire tread. As per Ontario Regulation 199/07, your commercial trailer tires are unfit to drive if your tread depth is less than the wear limit. As described in section 3 of Regulation 625 of the Revised Regulations of Ontario, 1990 (Tire Standards and Specifications), this means your tread wear indicators cannot be in contact with the road, and tread depth must be 1.5 millimeters or more. For heavier vehicles, you will need no less than 3 millimeters of tread depth.

5. Check your spare commercial trailer tire. Most people don’t think about their spare tire until they need it, and that’s a mistake. To avoid any nasty surprises, run your spare commercial trailer tires through all of the same checks detailed above.

Go Pro With Commercial Trailer Tire Inspection And Service: Call TIRECRAFT

Should you detect any minor or major defects with your commercial trailer tires, or you simply want to get some professional help with your inspection, contact your local TIRECRAFT. We specialize in commercial trailer tire upkeep, repair, and replacements; we have all of the top commercial trailer tire products in stock; and every consultation is 100% free!

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