Tire Safety Information
maximum weight specified on the placard. The combined weight of the cargo is
provided as a single number. In any case, remember: the total weight of a fully
loaded trailer cannot exceed the stated GVWR.
When loading your cargo, be sure it is distributed evenly to prevent overloading
front to back and side to side. Heavy items should be placed low and as close to
the axle positions as reasonable. Too many items on one side may overload a tire.
The best way to know the actual weight of the vehicle is to weigh it at a public
scale. Talk to your dealer to discuss the weighing methods needed to capture the
various weights related to the trailer. This would include the weight empty or
unloaded, weights per axle, wheel, hitch or king-pin, and total weight.
Excessive loads and/or under inflation cause tire overloading and, as a result,
abnormal tire flexing occurs. This situation can generate an excessive amount of
heat within the tire. Excessive heat may lead to tire failure. It is the air pressure that
enables a tire to support the load, so proper inflation is critical. The proper air
pressure may be found on the Certification / VIN label and/or on the Tire Placard.
This value should never exceed the maximum cold inflation pressure stamped on
the tire.
TRAILERS 10,000 POUNDS GVWR OR LESS
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Tire Information Placard
Locate the statement, “The weight of cargo should never exceed XXX kg or
XXX lbs.,” on your vehicle’s placard.
This figure equals the available amount of cargo and luggage load capacity.
Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded on the
vehicle. That weight may not safely exceed the available cargo and luggage
load capacity.
The trailer’s placard refers to the Tire Information Placard attached adjacent to
or near the trailer’s VIN (Certification) label at the left front of the trailer.
TRAILERS OVER 10,000 POUNDS GVWR
(Note: These trailers are not required to have a tire information placard on
the trailer and may not have one installed)
Determine the empty weight of your trailer by weighing the trailer using a
public scale or other means.