What should be done if a trailer loses a wheel while in motion?

When a trailer loses a wheel while in motion, slowing down carefully and attempting to maintain control while safely pulling over is essential for ensuring safety. This approach allows the driver to reduce speed gradually, which helps in retaining stability and preventing a potential jackknife situation.

If the driver were to accelerate, it might exacerbate the situation by increasing instability and making it more difficult to manage the remaining wheels. Braking immediately could lead to a loss of control, particularly since a trailer without a wheel would already be experiencing an imbalance. Continuing to drive on a missing wheel risks further damage to the trailer and could pose serious safety hazards to other road users, as well as the driver and cargo.

Therefore, the most responsible and safest action is to slow down gradually while maintaining control and finding a safe area to pull over. This allows for assessment of the situation and planning for the next steps without endangering oneself or others on the road.