trailer tire pressures

buckw13

Seaman
Joined
Jul 1, 2007
Messages
58
hello there. I have a 21 ft. boat weighing in at 4740 lbs. I have a dual axle shorelandr trailer with armstrong b78-13st tires load range c. max load 1315 lbs at 50 psi cold. What should i run the tire pressures at? Thanks for some answers
 

jevery

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 16, 2006
Messages
538
Re: trailer tire pressures

Typically run ST trailer tires at full rated pressure, 50 PSI
 

Gary H NC

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Dec 1, 2005
Messages
8,972
Re: trailer tire pressures

agree,50 psi. most tire failures are caused by under inflation.
 

buckw13

Seaman
Joined
Jul 1, 2007
Messages
58
Re: trailer tire pressures

thanks for the answers. I have read so many different ideas on here i wasn't sure what to believe
 

Titanium48

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Apr 24, 2008
Messages
303
Re: trailer tire pressures

The only time you might want to run less than maximum pressure would be if you have a small boat on a heavy duty trailer and the tires and suspension are carrying significantly less than their rated load. The oversized suspension will be stiff and produce a rough ride, which could be hard on the hull, especially with a roller trailer. A modest reduction in air pressure would soften the ride at the expense of somewhat increased rolling resistance. For an idea of how much a tire can carry at reduced pressure, look up the maximum load and pressure specifications for same-sized, similar construction tires with a lower load range.

As for the O.P., a 4740 lb boat plus a trailer will be pretty close to if not over the 5260 lb rating of the 4 tires, so it's max pressure for sure.
 

kenmyfam

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Aug 10, 2006
Messages
14,392
Re: trailer tire pressures

A lot of the underinflated tires are seen on many shoulders across our highways being removed and a spare put on or removed to go find somewhere with a new one.
Do not underinflate is my opinion.
 

bjcsc

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jun 1, 2006
Messages
1,805
Re: trailer tire pressures

As for the O.P., a 4740 lb boat plus a trailer will be pretty close to if not over the 5260 lb rating of the 4 tires, so it's max pressure for sure.

Yeah, that's what I'm wondering about. It depends on what you mean by
I have a 21 ft. boat weighing in at 4740 lbs

If that means a sticker, document, or some literature says your boat weighs 4740lbs, then I think you're overweight. If you weighed the boat and trailer on a scale to get that number then you're OK...
 

fishrdan

Admiral
Joined
Jan 25, 2008
Messages
6,989
Re: trailer tire pressures

If that means a sticker, document, or some literature says your boat weighs 4740lbs, then I think you're overweight.

I was wondering about the weight also. If there's room in the fenders, bumping up to 185/80R13ST tires would give almost 1000# of extra load capacity as they are rated at something like 1480# each.

I swapped to the 185's and it helped with the tire problems (tread separation - short tread life) I was having, but I think the rims need to be replaced at the same time as the rims are wider with a higher load capacity.
 

Firemedic09

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jul 1, 2008
Messages
46
Re: trailer tire pressures

never underinflate or over inflate. always fallow the tire recommendations.
 

buckw13

Seaman
Joined
Jul 1, 2007
Messages
58
Re: trailer tire pressures

the weight was done on a local scale. Weighed truck and boat and trailer then weighed truck alone and took the difference. Should have typed in the weight better in the original post. Sorry for the confusion.
 

bjcsc

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jun 1, 2006
Messages
1,805
Re: trailer tire pressures

Excellent!! You're in good shape - run them at 50psi...now, tell me you got the tongue weight while you were at it and I'll nominate you for an immediate promotion :D
 

buckw13

Seaman
Joined
Jul 1, 2007
Messages
58
Re: trailer tire pressures

I also pulled just the truck on the scales with the trailer hooked up. i got a tongue weight of 240 lbs.
 

bjcsc

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jun 1, 2006
Messages
1,805
Re: trailer tire pressures

I also pulled just the truck on the scales with the trailer hooked up. i got a tongue weight of 240 lbs.

Well, then. TD, I officially request buckw13 be promoted to E2!

You're a little light on the tongue. 10-15% will give you the best towing and you're at about 5%...
 

dingbat

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 20, 2001
Messages
16,322
Re: trailer tire pressures

Inflate to what the side walls tell you. My ST205/75R14 has a max. inflation pressure of 35 psi for a #1760 load
 
Top