Check you trailer tire valve stems

[yager]

Moral of this story: Check you trailer tire valve stems.. THe HD high pressure stems have a thick brass insert that makes them HD, BUT this also leaves less rubber in that area of the stem, they can rot ,break or chafe easily...

After reading Bill-a-vista's trailer accident thread, i feel like i need to share my not so sever story..

I got the trailer used from a friend. Trailer only few years old, had new trailer D rated tires etc.. I towed probably 5-6k miles on it since ive had it.. Always check air pressure, greased bearings, etc..

Last trip to Paragon, was late headed out after work, had piles of other crap i was hauling up to my brother the normal deal.. Forgot my spare tire, trailer tool box (spare bearings, steems, magnet etc) ... About 4 hours out i realized this and immediatly knew id have a problem... 2 hrs from PAP, coming out of rest area, hear what sounds like a big truck letting off air brakes... but it continued, and didnt end... Hmmm sounded odd... so I did a quick walk around..

Damn.... Another 5 min/5 miles my tire would have been gone... Valve stem was almost broke off... Poop, no spare tire, but was happy i caught it... Walk around to weight my options.. I did have tire bead busting tools and spoons so that wasnt my concern, i had my 12v Truck-Air (NOT oba) but no stem.. 1. bust down H1 rim on jeep and rob stem... same size will work, just take time, 2. rob from truck spare, not that desperate (yet).. 3. ahhhh i had a utility garden cart for my dad, with these nice air filled tires.... wouldnt you know it the stem was shorter but the same size hole... So i deflate that and use needle nose plyers to carfully remove it.. Get it installed, and after 20min with mr. truck air, the tire finally aired up... Ok trip to pap was great...

Finished trip to NY, tractor store was out of mounted tires/rims so i got just a tire, figured i was safe... I checked all my tires air pressure etc... felt safe.. 1hr north of hazleton. Tires blows pulling long grade.. room to get off but no room to work... I pull the grade on the sholder to the gravel pull off near the top... GF watchs me piss and moan like a baby as I dismount and remount tire with spoons. New tire would not bead up and I used all tricks i had... (no flamables to use the fire ball method) Even had bought new valve stems so i was prepared.. Fix up tire/rim, drop trailer send GF up next exit with truck to air up tire...

My guess is new tires were installed but NOT new valve stems. Pure oversight on my part to not notice and replace them sooner... Now I will make sure I inspect them as part of my regular trailer pre-trip inspection.

I also will be adding a toung box to carry these items ON the trailer at all times.

[4x4not]

Another good story! I got new tires/wheel when I got my used trailer, and the valve stems look all shiney and new. They are some kind of brass stem too... look pretty nice.

[DRM]

When I got new trailer-rated tires a few weeks ago - I thought that at that price, it would be stupid to skimp out. So new valve stems went on, AND went ahead and balanced them.

[BillaVista]

Great story - thanks for sharing

[yager]

I should be thanking you... If anyone benifits from reading my trivial story and it prevents a major incident its worth it... Same with yours...

I'm Glad you both are ok!!