Tire PSI

[Andyfender]

The tires on my trailer say's Max load 60 psi. My boat is not that heavy. What is a good psi? 50?

 

[bhammer]

Re: Tire PSI

How many tires and what is the load rating for each one? What is the true weight (scaled weight) of the boat and trailer?

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: Tire PSI

The tires on my trailer say's Max load 60 psi. My boat is not that heavy. What is a good psi? 50?

You are not providing near enough info for anyone to properly answer your question. Boat could be 300Ib or 3000Ib and the tires may be rated at 500Ib or 1200Ib capacity as an example.

Without knowing true weights and load capacities (not PSI) we would only be guessing, and that could leave you on the side of the road with a blown tire.

 

[JB]

Re: Tire PSI

The tires are designed to run with 60psi. Put 60psi in them.

 

[derekpfeiffer]

Re: Tire PSI

x2 always run trailer tires at rated psi....underinflating tires can cause excess heat leading to a blow out.

Good luck

 

[Proselect]

Re: Tire PSI

Don't worry about the weight the tires can hold as long as you are sure they are rated enough or more than your boat. Run them at 60 if they are rated for that. That pressure is the max pressure and also gives you the max load rating as well. Plus then that will generate the least amount of heat built up in the tire as well to reduce the chance of tire failure. On a trailer tire you don't have to worry about wearing out the centers like you do on a vehicle. IMO most tires on boat trailers get changed due to dry rot and age before they wear out.(at least that is what I see in my neck of the woods)

 

[gstanton]

Re: Tire PSI

Another opinion for the 60 psi. I have always carried the pressure indicated on the sidewall of the tire.

 

[tawood]

Re: Tire PSI

I run all my tires at max rating...rougher ride, but better gas mileage.

 

[Low dsrt jon]

Re: Tire PSI

Stick with the posted tire rating LDJ

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Tire PSI

As JB said. Keep them at the rated pressure. Lower pressure causes more heat and potential tire failure.
My 2 cents

 

[dave11]

Re: Tire PSI

For TRAILER tires, run the rated pressure.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Tire PSI

For TRAILER tires, run the rated pressure.

And so say all of us !!!!

 

[iBrent]

Re: Tire PSI

are "rated PSI" and "max PSI" the same thing? If it says MAX 60 PSI and you inflate it cold to 60 PSI, then down the road as the tire heats up the pressure will exceed the Max PSI. Wouldn't this be bad?

 

[DECK SWABBER 58]

Re: Tire PSI

All tires are designed to withstand the increase in pressure
when they heat up. Max. pressure actually helps keep the
tire cooler.
The only time you might want to deviate from this is if your
traveling across the desert in the middle of the summer.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Tire PSI

The tires on my car have a max rating on the sidewalls. The sticker on the driver's door indicates a recommended pressure that is lower than the tire sidewall. I run the pressure that the auto manufacturer recommended.

On the other hand, the sticker on my boat trailer does not mention recommended pressure. When I e-mailed the trailer manufacturer they had a wishy washy answer.

This is a good question, but there is no good answer.

 

[shuswap119]

Re: Tire PSI

Hey Andy,

Never any harm in running those tires at max PSI, as stated before the extra air in the tire helps dissapate the heat. The only time I would try to do the math on trailer air pressure is if you were towing over a very rough gravel road. Here the lower pressure with allow some conformity over protruding rocks.

Regards,

 

[dave11]

Re: Tire PSI

The tires on my car have a max rating on the sidewalls. The sticker on the driver's door indicates a recommended pressure that is lower than the tire sidewall. I run the pressure that the auto manufacturer recommended.

On the other hand, the sticker on my boat trailer does not mention recommended pressure. When I e-mailed the trailer manufacturer they had a wishy washy answer.

This is a good question, but there is no good answer.

The suggested tire pressure for your car is designed for overall handling and performance. The same tires are used for different models with different pressure needs.

Trailer tires are really different. They are not used for performance. They are used for a function which is towing. The sidewalls are stiffer. They are designed to carry weight and go straight down the road (follow the tow vehicle).

 

[HappierWet]

Re: Tire PSI

Ok, I think I am about to set myself up to be keel-hauled, but here are my thoughts on this. First, Run the tires at max psi as previously opined ( and for the stated reasons ). Second, you state that your boat is not that heavy....by this I will say IMHO it is possible to overtire a trailer.....or to have to much trailer for a boat for that matter. This is typically a problem when you have rough road and the trailer is jumping all over instead of the suspension working. There simply isn't enought weight to allow (force) the springs ( or tires ) to flex. If you could post the tire weight rating and actual weight of your trailer and boat we could probably further resolve this.

 

[PiratePast40]

Re: Tire PSI

^^^^ You've got a valid point about the washboard roads. Last year, we stayed at a friends cabin on the upper Deschutes river. 4 miles of rough washboard road to and from every day wasn't easy on the boat. I have car tires on the trailer so it wasn't as rough a ride for the boat but there were loose screws all over the place at the end of the week!

 

[iBrent]

Re: Tire PSI

My trailer tires are made by Carlisle so I decided to go to the source to find some resolution to this issue. The following is quoted from this document:

http://www.carlisletire.com/product_care/trailer_tire_service_guide.pdf

Carlisle Tire & Wheel only recommends and only warrants tires maintained @ the max air pressure while in service.

Maximum load range is attained only when the tire is at its maximum air pressure. There is no advantage to taking air out of the tire. With maximum pressure, the tire will perform and wear better, and you will get better gas mileage. Reduce the psi, and you compromise the functionality of the tire. This is the position that we take on this.