Trailer tires

Joined
Jun 18, 2006
Messages
19
I just replaced the 13 inch wheels and tires on my trailer with 14 inches wheels and tires. Tires: Denman, 6 ply rating, ST205/75D14. I took it for a drive to check for clearance between the tires and fenders. Over rough road there was no touching of tire anywhere, except road. I stopped several times to check and did notice the tire sidewalls run hotter than I expected. Had never checked the 13 inch tires for heat. Is this to be expected? The hubs run cool so heat seems to be side wall generated. These are bias ply rather than radial. Is the heat normal?
 

tommays

Admiral
Joined
Jul 4, 2004
Messages
6,768
Re: Trailer tires

If there NOT rubbing and inflated to there max pressure there is nothing to get them to hot


The problem is everybody has a different idea of what HOT is and i would think its pretty hot down your way right now

generaly there is a phone number to call about questions with the tire


Tommays
 

rickdb1boat

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jan 23, 2002
Messages
11,195
Re: Trailer tires

If you're running down the highway and pull over and feel them, you can bet they will be pretty warm. Not real hot, but sure, they're gonna be warm...Compare them with your car tires next time...
 
Joined
Jun 18, 2006
Messages
19
Re: Trailer tires

rickdb1boat said:
If you're running down the highway and pull over and feel them, you can bet they will be pretty warm. Not real hot, but sure, they're gonna be warm...Compare them with your car tires next time...

I did compare them to my truck tires (radials) and the trailer tires were much hotter.
 

Bondo

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 17, 2002
Messages
71,095
Re: Trailer tires

Are they Inflated to the Maximun psi. listed on the tire's sidewall,..??.....

Tires Will run at Least as hot as the Blacktop they're riding on,...........

Like Tom says,........ Just How Hot is Hot,..??....
 

sleepinin

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Jun 3, 2006
Messages
77
Re: Trailer tires

I had some tires I suspected were rubbing but I wasn't sure until I sprayed the inside of the fenders with white spray paint, took it for a drive and then checked the white paint for marks. Easy way to be sure.
 

battery

Seaman
Joined
Jun 9, 2006
Messages
58
Re: Trailer tires

what size tires are on your truck? if the trailer tires are small then they will be turning faster and will be hotter then your truck tires
 

stopher

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Mar 4, 2007
Messages
33
Re: Trailer tires

dual loadrite 14" tires...

i was driving in the misty rain and noticed my tires were steaming. i was worried that it was a serious problem; but it was the result of dewpoint, underpressure, and air humidity.

the tires were warm, the hubs cold, and the air cool. after a little while the tires must have expanded because they cooled off.

i wonder if the hubs were a bit sticky and worked off some corrosion while pulled until they began to spin easier. it took about 30 minutes on the highway. I stopped 3 times to inspect them. I wont' know if it is a hub issue until i repack them in the spring. i should do them in the fall, but I am not that enthusiastic to do it in the cold.

any insight on whether I should be concerned about the warm tires ?
 

Silvertip

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 22, 2003
Messages
28,771
Re: Trailer tires

If the bearings were the cause of the heat the hubs would be warm -- very warm. It would take a fair amount of time to transfer that head from the hubs, through the wheel then to the tires. I don't think that's an issue. Bias ply tires do run warmer than radials. Warm tires is one thing. Keep in mind they have to run hotter than ambient temperature. If its 80 degrees the tires will run substantially warmer than that simply due to tire/road friction. How much depends on speed, air pressure, and loading. Air moving across the tires at speed will bleed off some heat but they will still be above ambient.
 
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