Trailer tire pressure...

[Euroski]

I know the tires state to inflate to max of 50PSI, but I figure with the boat only being 2000lbs on a dual axle trailer... do I really need the 50PSI? What does everyone run for PSI and why?

[skidoo29]

if they are full size tires then I usually go with a standard 30-35 psi
never fill any tire to its max psi

warren

[Ted Stryker]

I only fill to the point that the side walls aren't having to flex to much to roll, of course the less weight that the tire has on it the less pressure that it takes to keep the tire in good posture.. Like what was previously mentioned, I usually run around 30 or maybe a touch more to protect My hull/transom on Louisiana's horrible roads and My trailer tire never fell hot to the touch even in the summer.. That may not be a reliable test but I always put a hand on the sidewall and tread everytime I stop during a highway haul.. At that pressure the tire has about the same posture as the tire on the front of My truck, and My truck tires have a rated max of 44 psi and I run 41-42 psi in them..

[Euroski]

Tires are radial ST205-75-R14 with load rating of "C" I have always ran about 30psi in my past trailers, but this is the first radial tire trailer I have had. I figure the whole thing weights about 3100lbs and 35psi should be fine especially on a 200 mile trip.

[catfish123]

I would not run them with less than 45 psi and even better would be 50 psi. I have read MANY places that you want trailer tires to be inflated to the maximum recommended.

[Hottrucks]

I'm cheap so I do it old school style

take a white shoe polish ( you know the kind with the sponge on top and cost about $.89 ) cover a small area of one tread lug down the side wall a little then take it for a drive , look and whats left of the mark if it's up on the tread take out 2 lbs for every 1/4" of tread not touching and add 2 lbs for every 1/4 on the side wall.... this works great on cars and trucks also...the presures recomended are for what someone else considers NORMAL USE my F350 recomends 65 front and 80 rear which is great if I was carrying something But MOST of the time I run 50 front and 55 rear and you can look at my truck anytime and the tires are worn square and even....Most important is to rotate them in the spring when you check your bearings...

[captcarb]

I am amazed at how much the gas mileage can be improved by running max pressure in the cars. I do it all the time and the cars handle better and the tires last significantly longer. Also the tires do not go out of round on a long high speed run. Every thing is different down here in the heat. I ran lower pressures when I lived up north.

Max pressure is necessary down here in the heat on my trailer to keep the temps down.

jim

[Euroski]

I raised the PSI from 30 to 40 and on a short trip it felt like it towed better.

[Hottrucks]

I just drgged mine to Maine 250 miles at 35 on car tires in the rain at 70 mph no problems and the road where pretty crappy so the side wall give helps take the beating out of the ride!!!!

[Rob'Z]

Here's an opinion from a guy who'e been working in the tire industry since he was 16 years old.

While Hottrucks has a very good point on the shoe polish (or chalk, it works too), if you can handle the rougher ride while towing I would raise the pressures in the tow vehicle to within 10-15% of the max pressure of the tire and fully max the trailer tires. Whoever said to never inflate to max PSI is incorrect. The rating is there for a reason, it's safe. The manufacturer allows for an increase in pressure due to heat, that's why it's a cold inflation pressure. A tire with a max pressure rating of 50 PSI will be safe even at 65 PSI when the temps rise. I'm not saying to inflate above the recommended max, just saying the tire has a built in safety margin.



Happy towing everyone.....and bring a spare! :)


Rob

[Hottrucks]

Rob not to beat a dead horse but why do vechical manufacturer's put recomended tire presure on every door jam???? not to pick a fight about it but ou may want to ask Firestone and Ford or did you miss all the roll over due to poor tire inflation???

[Rob'Z]

I am aware of the Firstone/Ford situation a few years back. We replaced MANY Firestones with Ford's dollar.

The manufacturers recommended pressure is just that, a recommendation. It is biased towards a comfortable ride and is less sensitive to handling and fuel economy. Also that is for the specific tire that comes on the vehicle, I'm sure you're aware that all brands/models of tires have different characteristics in regards to sidewall stiffness and belt layout.

Basically I advise customers to run at least what the vehicle manufacturer reccomends (for passenger cars, trucks need not be inflated to 60-80 unless loaded) but to go as close to the tires max as they feel comfortable.

For example I usually run 38-40 in my personal vehicles for extended tire life and better fuel economy. I have never had any ill effects on traction or handling. I do lower the pressures to low/mid 30's for trackdays etc due to the elevated temps associated with tracking a car at the limit.



And no offense taken, I agree fully with your shoe polish tactic, it works very well.


Rob