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ken_burke's avatar
ken_burke
Explorer
Jan 14, 2017

110 psi tire pressure??

All . . . . help. What tire pressure should I use on my ST235/85R16 tires by West Lake (forest river). My 5th wheel is heavy, i.e. 3000 pounds on each wheel and tongue. (15,000 pounds total). My tires are G rated and limit is 4080 pounds (actual weight is 3000). Max presser on is 110 psi. Do I have to run that high of pressure??
The problem is how to I get that pressure with a portable tire inflator? Also most tire inflators are DC hooked up with the trucks 12 volt. that won't work.

thanks . . . . ken
  • I would run 5 to 10 psi above the chart not to exceed sidewall max.
    Running max is fine too. Check pressure before you roll and before the sun is on the tires.

    A quality 12v compressor will go 110 - 150 psi. If it has a cigar plug it is weak. If it has a 30+ amp fuse and clamps direct on the battery you should be fine. My MV-50 works fine for me but it might take a bit to get to 110 psi. Viair is also a great brand.

    Or for the big boys there is Oasis that draws up to 200 amps and makes 200 psi.
    http://www.oasismfg.com/dc-air-compressors.html
  • Its recommended that tires on trailer be used at max sidewall pressure ...however if that 3000 lbs per tire is a actual scaled number then I would do as these experts say.

    rvsafety.com

    Tire Load and Inflation Ratings

    * Note: Towable – Travel Trailer/ 5th Wheel owners Due to the severe use conditions experienced by tires when axles are very close together – tire industry experts recommend maximum (sidewall) inflation pressure for towable tires unless this causes a sever over-inflation situation (20psi+), often referred to as the ‘basketball effect’. If this is your situation allow a 10 – 15psi safety margin above the minimum required inflation pressure.*


    And some good pointers on trailer tire pressures from another source;

    fifthwheelstreet.com

    Step #5..
    Selecting the Correct Tire Pressure for Your Trailer
    We at Fifth Wheel St. no longer recommend adjusting trailer tire inflation pressure below the maximum load PSI rating molded on the sidewall (and only if the wheel/rim is appropriately rated) regardless of the measured scaled weight of individual tire or axle positions for all multi-axle trailers.

    However, we do strongly recommend weighing individual trailer tire positions to ensure none of the axles or tire positions are overloaded. Reports have shown that trailers do not have equal weight across all tire positions. Some RV load configurations may reveal as much as 20% difference between the front and rear axle. This especially true for Toy Haulers. It is possible that mismanaged trailer load distribution will cause one end of an axle or a tire to be overloaded. It has been stated, but never confirmed by any RV Weighmaster, that there are many RVs traveling on the road with at least one tire or axle side overloaded. The only way to ensure tires and or axles are not overloaded is to weigh each tire position on your trailer. Unfortunately, attempting to obtain accurate individual tire position weight is practically impossible at all truck scales. View our list of recommend RV Weighmasters here.

    - See more at: http://fifthwheelst.com/step5.html#sthash.FIAc3k0Z.dpuf
    .........................................................

    I don't carry a compressor ....can't help you there.
  • If you need more pressure, just look into a Viair 400P or 450 12V compressor. They're rated to around 120 or 140 psi. It also has a pretty good flow rate for a 12v compressor, so you're not sticking around forever pumping air. It takes 20 minutes or so to air up my truck from 15 psi to 60 psi on all 4 positions on my truck after driving on the beach. That's with a large 275/70r18 tire. Your tires are much smaller volume wise.
  • West Lake Tires......a Chinese Brand, doesn't have a Tire Load Chart

    With those West Lakes 4080# at 110psi I would run at least 100#

    I have Goodyear G614s..run them at 110psi and keep them inflated using my Viair 400P 12V DC air compressor

    With the high air pressure required you need to invest in a GOOD portable 150psi compressor.
  • There should be a plate or sticker on it somewhere indicating the recommended pressure.

    Also it should be spelled out in the owners manual.
  • All I can say is that I run 80 psi all around-5er and truck, when I am towing. My tires say max 80psi. As for the inflator, if there isn't a 12 volt one that will go to 110 psi then you might have to get a portable 110V compressor. Ok I googled a 12volt 100psi compressor and there are a few 250 psi 12 volt compressors on Amazon.com