Tire pressure before going south

Sam Spade wrote:

NHIrish wrote:

Explain to me, if you can, why I would want less than max capacity in my trailer tires cause I don't get it.

IF....my trailer is only used for one specific purpose and that purpose puts it nowhere NEAR the max. load.....then the tires will wear better AND the load will be jostled slightly less if you drop the pressure down from the max. a bit. I think the max on mine says 45 and I run them at 35-40 and they still LOOK like they are riding pretty high on the tread.

I'd think that's fine too as long as you know your weights...but it sure isn't the normal scenario with travel trailers or fifth wheels. This is just a guess on my part, but I think the road forces on these 13' tall fifth wheels are likely more than manufacturers allow for
...and the allowances in determining what load rating tire goes on a trailer by the manufacturer probably compounds the issue.

We are full timers and came from PA. As you may know tire pressure does change with altitude. I doubt that you would be making the trip in one day. You should check your tire pressure before you start out every morning and at rest stops give it the kick test. When the RV sits for extended periods of time, the tires could change too Always check the pressure 1st thing in the A.M. before you drive. We came from volunteering in MA this last Summer and are now in Destin, FL. We have been here for about 3 months and both truck and RV did need air the other day.

NHIrish wrote:

Explain to me, if you can, why I would want less than max capacity in my trailer tires cause I don't get it.

IF....my trailer is only used for one specific purpose and that purpose puts it nowhere NEAR the max. load.....then the tires will wear better AND the load will be jostled slightly less if you drop the pressure down from the max. a bit. I think the max on mine says 45 and I run them at 35-40 and they still LOOK like they are riding pretty high on the tread.

Always popcorn time with tire questions.

Inflate to max psi for trailer tires and check regularly...or daily...or weigh all wheels and axles individually and follow the appropriate formula...which will have you pretty close to the max tire pressure on the side of the tire...oy you will determine that you may not have enough tire if you have manufacturer tires (not always, but often).

Since almost nobody takes the time to go through the weighing process to determine the heaviest load on a tire, just fill them. I don't know anyone that has worn out the tread on a trailer tire. Any extra tread wear will be negligible and full tires add a greater safety margin.

WHY would you not want the tire to have maximum load capacity as specified on the sidewall when all you read about here is tire issues on trailers. It is a trailer, not occupied by people, therefore ride comfort or handling characteristics are not relevant. It is top heavy and subject to crazy road forces. Add to that the fact that most manufacturers do not give you adequate surplus capacity when they spec the tire and you get a recipe for failure.


Explain to me, if you can, why I would want less than max capacity in my trailer tires cause I don't get it.

https://www.etrailer.com/faq-trailer-tire-frequently-asked-questions.aspx

Sorry...this posted again?

I use the max 110 lbs when we tow our 34 ft alpenlite. Have not had a tire problem yet.
chevman

NHIrish wrote:
Always popcorn time with tire questions.

Inflate to max psi for trailer tires and check regularly...or daily...or weigh all wheels and axles individually and follow the appropriate formula...which will have you pretty close to the max tire pressure on the side of the tire.

Since almost nobody takes the time to go through the weighing process to determine the heaviest load on a tire, just fill them. I don't know anyone that has worn out the tread on a trailer tire. Any extra tread wear will be negligible and full tires add a greater safety margin.

WHY would you not want the tire to have maximum load capacity as specified on the sidewall when all you read about here is tire issues on trailers. It is a trailer, not occupied by people, therefore ride comfort or handling characteristics are not relevant. It is top heavy and subject to crazy road forces. Add to that the fact that most manufacturers do not give you adequate surplus capacity when they spec the tire and you get a recipe for failure.


Explain to me, if you can, why I would want less than max capacity in my trailer tires cause I don't get it.

https://www.etrailer.com/faq-trailer-tire-frequently-asked-questions.aspx

agree

Always popcorn time with tire questions.

Inflate to max psi for trailer tires and check regularly...or daily...or weigh all wheels and axles individually and follow the appropriate formula...which will have you pretty close to the max tire pressure on the side of the tire.

Since almost nobody takes the time to go through the weighing process to determine the heaviest load on a tire, just fill them. I don't know anyone that has worn out the tread on a trailer tire. Any extra tread wear will be negligible and full tires add a greater safety margin.

WHY would you not want the tire to have maximum load capacity as specified on the sidewall when all you read about here is tire issues on trailers. It is a trailer, not occupied by people, therefore ride comfort or handling characteristics are not relevant. It is top heavy and subject to crazy road forces. Add to that the fact that most manufacturers do not give you adequate surplus capacity when they spec the tire and you get a recipe for failure.


Explain to me, if you can, why I would want less than max capacity in my trailer tires cause I don't get it.

https://www.etrailer.com/faq-trailer-tire-frequently-asked-questions.aspx

Dave H M wrote:
Hmmmmmm, I wonder who will eventually wizz the highest on the wall. :R

Hmmmmmm, There's probably a gage for that somewhere...what did that have to do with checking tire air pressure:h

Hmmmmmm, I wonder who will eventually wizz the highest on the wall. :R

avvidclif1 wrote:

NC Hauler wrote:

avvidclif1 wrote:

NC Hauler wrote:

avvidclif1 wrote:

NC Hauler wrote:

RAS43 wrote:
Well then I must be "asking for trouble", whatever that must be. I have been pulling trailers since '75 and never had any wear issues and only blew one tire, a Goodyear Marathon. And I do have a TPMS which has not indicated any issue. :C

Well then you're ok, though some refined calibration equip has found some TPMS off by as much as 10% at times...I use a high dollar digital read out that I can also have calibrated, so feel pt=retty good about it,

Look up the spec's on that gauge and let us know the percentage of error. Might be interesting.

It's a commercial digital read out for tires that I can check it's calibration with some pretty sophisticated calibration equipment that I can use ...It's within +/- 2 psi to actual reading.

You still didn't give a brand or the mfg spec's for accuracy. At what pressure was it calibrated?

Haltec Pro Series digital gage...I checked known/verified air pressures of 35 psi 65 psi, 80 psi and 110 psi against what the gage read at these known values.
I didn't check manufactures specs, Gage was recommended by a Quality Engineer in my company's tire division...

It's close enough for me to trust it's accuracy and feel ok with the readings. I just had some helpful insight into the gage I purchased. I also have a slime digital gage that I've used for years, and basing readings from the Haltec to the Slime, The $30 Slime is almost as accurate, close enough to not worry.

It appears I ruffled your feathers from the 3rd. degree I'm getting from you...Don't understand why, no reason for me to lie about a tire pressure gage and how I'm fortunate enough to be able to check it's accuracy..

No ruffled feathers just curious as to what brand is considered a "good" gauge and how much they cost. Google can't find a Caltech tire pressure gauge so I guess it was a moot point.

OK, I don't seem to hunt and peck with my right hand only very well..Since the stroke, I can't type with my left hand and need to do a better job of proof reading before I post. The gage is a Teltek, TLK139, ignore the price, I paid NO where near that. I attached an 20" flex hose to it and added the chuck that works on my trucks valve stem, then checked gage against a known /verified air pressures of 35, 50, 80 and 110 psi,, and compared what gage was reading to a known actual pressure

As to what is the best....I stated I have a SLIME digital read out pressure gage that is very accurate and use it most of the time, but will still compare at times with the Teltik, but that doesn't necessarily make it good.. 40 years ago or more I'd use a $1 gage and never had the first issue with tires on any vehicle ot trailer I owned...so all this may be WAY overblown( pun intended)