How to Change a Wheel on a Horse Trailer

A horse trailer is the main way that most people move their horses from their home to a show, event or recreational park, and when the trailer is broken for any reason, your horses are stuck where they are. In the case of a flat tire, fixing it is just like changing any other tire but with a few extra steps to ensure that the trailer doesn't go anywhere. This job should take about 30 minutes depending on the size of the trailer.

Things You'll Need

• Jack
• Jack stands
• Tire iron
• Wheel chocks
• Replacement wheel and tire assembly

Instructions

1. Make sure the trailer is parked on a level surface. Place the wheel chocks on both sides of the tires on the opposite side of the axle from the tire that needs to be replaced. This helps ensure that the trailer won't roll when the trailer is jacked up.

2. Lift up the side of the trailer with the flat tire using the jack, and set the trailer and axle on jack stands. Never work on a vehicle supported only by a jack, because if it fails, it could harm you or the vehicle.

3. Unscrew the lug nuts on the wheel you need to replace using the tire iron. Turn the tire iron to the left to loosen the lug nuts and pull the tire off of the vehicle by gripping it on both sides with your hands and pulling it off the axle.

4. Lift the replacement wheel and tire assembly onto the trailer axle using your hands and slide the wheel over the wheel studs until the wheel is supported on the axle by the studs.

5. Loosely thread on the lug nuts with your hands and tighten them snugly using only your fingers. Then use the tire iron to tighten the lug nuts to the studs in a star pattern. This evenly distributes the torque on the studs and makes sure there is minimal chance of having a wheel loosen.

6. Lift the vehicle off of the jack stands using the jack and place it on the ground. Tighten the lug nuts again with the tire iron using the same star pattern.