Trailer tire pressure.

[Mark42]

I was browsing the Carlisle tire website and came across information about tire maintenance. Carlisle states that trailer tires should always be kept at their max psi rating for proper tire wear, safety and to maintain warrantee.

I always keep the trailer tires at their max psi to ensure that they are able to support their max capacity. Also, the stiff walls of trailer tires don't like being run under inflated. They get hot fast.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Trailer tire pressure.

100% correct, #1 cause of trailer tire failure is under inflation. carlisle has gotten a bad rap over the years, but if you really look at the number of carlisle tires on the road, compared to the other brands, the failure rate is about even.

 

[nirro]

Re: Trailer tire pressure.

I'v just been studying this since I have to buy two new tires for my trailer. Goodyear has a good web site with information on bias ply and radial tires. It says the proper inflation for a bias ply depends on loaded weight. If a bias ply is over inflated it will bulge out in the center. I will probably go with a radial as they seem to offer a more cushioned ride then a bias ply.

 

[wire2]

Re: Trailer tire pressure.

...... If a bias ply is over inflated it will bulge out in the center.

Any tire will bulge and wear the tread center if over inflated *for the load*.

If a tire is rated for 1500 lbs at 60 psi and it's carrying only 750 lbs, you don't want 60 psi in it. It will give a very stiff ride and wear the center. 40-45 psi will suffice.

Most cars have a sticker on the driver's door jamb giving recommended tire pressure, usually low 30's.
It's intended to give optimum traction and wear. And it's way below the maximum on the sidewall.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Trailer tire pressure.

a trailer tire is a totally different animal than a automobile tire. trailer tire are built to ride correctly at the tire pressure listed on the tire.

about 80-90 % of trailer tire failure is from under inflated tires.

 

[Hoss]

Re: Trailer tire pressure.

trailer tires are built to carry a load. car tires are meant to provide a smooth ride. trailer tires should always be kept at their max.

 

[srothfuss]

Re: Trailer tire pressure.

One interesting thing that I read somewhere was that Trailer Tires, the tread in particular, were not designed to wear out before the tire needs to be replaced.

I.E. the shelf life of a trailer tires is about 3 - 5 years and that most trailer tires should be replaced about every 7 years. Long before the tread on the tire is worn down.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Trailer tire pressure.

very true, most dry rot before the tread goes.

 

[tommays]

Re: Trailer tire pressure.

IMHP the biggest point of a trailer tire is the stiff sidewall to help stop sway , it needs full pressure for this to work



Tommays

 

[wire2]

Re: Trailer tire pressure.

.... Goodyear has a good web site with information on bias ply and radial tires. It says the proper inflation for a bias ply depends on loaded weight. ....

IMHP the biggest point of a trailer tire is the stiff sidewall to help stop sway , it needs full pressure for this to work
Tommays

Ah, we have a debate going here. I love it.
I also looked at the Goodyear site. The prominent point made was; ....

? Inflation pressure should be adjusted to handle
the maximum load

To me, that means adjust the pressure to carry the boat with gear & fuel.

 

[UB]

Re: Trailer tire pressure.

Hello everyone. My first post. I have just been given a 1997 CC 22 dual console Sea Skiff w Evinrude 150 Sea Pro and trailer. My lucky day! I need to replace the trailer tires since they are dry rotted before I bring it home to VA from NC. The tires on the EZ Loader are 78 14ST on galvanized rims. There is no spare so I need 3 tires and one rim. Should I get ST rated tires or radials? I am not new to boating but I am new to boat ownership. If I get just tires, will any gas station mount them? Where is the best place to get tires and or rim? Mailorder, Walmart (Goodyear), West Marine, NAPA, NTB, etc? Thanks in advance.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Trailer tire pressure.

You need ST tires for your trailer (I think ST = Special Trailer). They have stiffer sidewalls to help prevent sway, even in the ST radial tires. They also have shallower tread depth to prevent squirming, and don't need to worry about hydroplaning as much because they don't steer. So ST tires are different than passenger tires.

Any shop can mount them, they are no different than a passenger tire in that respect.

Balancing is generally not done on the smaller trailer tires ( like the 12" rims). Just make sure they are properly inflated, and jack up each wheel and check the wheel bearings for loosness or a rumble sound when spinning. If it rumbles, the bearings are going.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Trailer tire pressure.

Hello everyone. My first post. I have just been given a 1997 CC 22 dual console Sea Skiff w Evinrude 150 Sea Pro and trailer. My lucky day! I need to replace the trailer tires since they are dry rotted before I bring it home to VA from NC. The tires on the EZ Loader are 78 14ST on galvanized rims. There is no spare so I need 3 tires and one rim. Should I get ST rated tires or radials? I am not new to boating but I am new to boat ownership. If I get just tires, will any gas station mount them? Where is the best place to get tires and or rim? Mailorder, Walmart (Goodyear), West Marine, NAPA, NTB, etc? Thanks in advance.

Check NorthernTool. They have them already mounted on rims or just the tires.I have been running them for years and they are a good trailer tire.
I think they are Load Master brand.

 

[tommays]

Re: Trailer tire pressure.

Let us also remember that there are no shocks on the AXLE and the tire with low air pressure would be more likely to stay bouncy


I have seen many a car hopping with bad shocks



Tommays

 

[wire2]

Re: Trailer tire pressure.

.... trailer tires should always be kept at their max.

From a trailer safety site;
"Tires that are not loaded to their maximums do not require maximum air pressure, and load-inflation tables provide the values that can be used to set air pressure for vehicles whose tire loads may be considerably less than maximum"

Load inflation tables;
http://kitsmillerrv.com/documents/rv_inflation.pdf

And from Carlisle's site;
- Summary Maintenance Tips -
? Keep your tires air pressure at the Maximum PSI recommended on the sidewall of the tire.

And ALSO from Carlisle;
Wheel and tire manufacturers recommend adjusting the air pressure to the trailer manufacturers recommended cold inflation pressure, in pounds per square inch, (PSI) stated on the vehicle's Federal Certification label, or Tire Placard, when loaded.

So there's 2 contradictory camps on this subject, with Carlisle on both at once.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Trailer tire pressure.

So, you add up the total gross load ie. boat 2400 + trailer 600 = 3000 then divide by two tires and thats 1500 lbs. load per tire, air up accordingly?

 

[wire2]

Re: Trailer tire pressure.

So, you add up the total gross load ie. boat 2400 + trailer 600 = 3000 then divide by two tires and thats 1500 lbs. load per tire, air up accordingly?

That's my take on it, based on the theory that more pressure than what's required to carry the load amounts to overinflation, and will wear the tread center prematurely.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Trailer tire pressure.

That's my take on it, based on the theory that more pressure than what's required to carry the load amounts to overinflation, and will wear the tread center prematurely.

Not according to the trailer tire manufacturers. Most manufacturers make it quite clear to fill the tires to their max rating for safety, tire life and to preserve warrentee.

 

[MikDee]

Re: Trailer tire pressure.

That's my take on it, based on the theory that more pressure than what's required to carry the load amounts to overinflation, and will wear the tread center prematurely.

This is my view on All tires, not just trailer tires.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Trailer tire pressure.

Here's a hypethetical question, say you just changed the tire and aired it up to the max recomended pressure of 70psi, next you put that wheel on your trailer and drop 1000 lbs onto it, will the pressure remain at 70lbs or will it increase and put it over the max.