Trailer tire issues?

Ok lets try to get this all sorted out

you have an 8.5x20 enclosed trailer by Mirage
it weighs 3000# dry and has a 7000# GVWR
it has 'c' rated tires that have a max load rating of 1870#@50 psi

Currently as loaded trailer weighs 8500# (trailer is 1500# over GVWR)
GVWR is MAX Weight for trailer......weight carried by axles PLUS tongue weight

Currently you have 7300# on trailer axles (total of both axles)
Axles are probably rated at 3500# each (7300# on 7000#...300# over total axle capacity but are axles carrying equal loads.....maybe rear axle is 500# heavier than front etc.

Currently you have 'C' tires with 1870# ea/max (3740# total for each axle---7480# total for both axles)
Tires inflated to 50# each........you have 180# total reserve capacity IF both axles/tires are equally loaded up. Over weight if one axle is carrying more weight than other...typically the rear axle will be heaviest


So ............

Your trailer is OVERLOADED by 1500#
Your trailer axles are OVERLOADED by at least 300#...possibly more depending on trailer loading
Your trailer tires are VERY CLOSE to max load rating .....more likely rear are OVER due to trailer loading
Your trailer tires are 'C' rated and most likely the cheapest tires mfg. could use and still meet weight ratings

You are going to make this trip...that is a given

Air tires up first thing in AM before driving .....50#
Check/adjust tire pressures EACH AM prior to traveling .....50#
(don't go adjusting psi during travel---adjust cold each AM)

150 miles for fueling........
Buy an Infrared Temp Gun
Check tire temps at each stop (fuel and/or rest)

Aim laser light between 2nd set of threads on each tire and 8" distance (same spot/same distance each tire)
Track tire temps..........note each position (F/R front/right, R/R rear/right ETC.) You are looking for trends (rear running hotter then front, right side running hotter then left side etc)
Sunny side tires WILL be hotter then tires on opposite side...

What you are looking for is a tire that keeps increasing in temp or is constantly running hotter then other

Also us IR Gun to check trailer hub temps...same spot/same distance....same idea about 'trends'

Good luck.........drive safe and AWARE.
Check tires (PSI/Temps and WEAR), check axle hubs
Stay alert to what is going on.

If your trailer is over loaded, I'd be more concerned about the trailer suspension than the tires. If you are over loaded, one good bump (crossing a dang bridge where they put those expansion joints or an uneven crack or pot-hole in the road) and "BANG!" There goes something on your trailer suspension, or frame.

I would suggest you invest in a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). Notice I said, "invest" instead of buy. That is because it will save you money and possibly injury if it alerts you before a blowout. As stated previously, those tires are the cheapest the manufacturer could put on that trailer. Expect them to go out early, especially if you are overloading them.

Excellent post by Old-Biscuit! I would take his advice.
Barney

Let us know how it goes. Good luck.

Thanks for the wishes. Going to take it slow and steady and monitor it all. Even for a 7 k trailer the frame is pretty good. Good point about suspension. I hope I make it safely and then no more overloading for it. I have seen ppl overload the hell out of old pieces of **** so hopefully it being new willake this one long haul.

I have broken every single towing rule for over 35 years and have had 1 tire go away. That one was a puncture that I didn't catch soon enough.

Cheap China tires.
70, 75+ MPH.
Always in the summer and usually 90+ degrees.
My trailer only weighs about 7K loaded, but still......

So what is my key to success? I scan my mirrors about every 30 seconds to a minute. I know what's going on back there.

Most tire problems are caused by a loss of air and they will get hot and blow off of the rim. The very best way to prevent this is with a TPMS. The reason people always talk about tires going bad on trailers is because they don't have a clue that they are low on air or even on the rim when they are towing a trailer.

If I were you I would buy a TPMS, air them up to 10 over and roll on. And before anybody gets their panties in a bunch........read it one more time, "if I were you". IOW's I'm not telling him what to do, just what I would do. :)

Turtle n Peeps wrote:
air them up to 10 over and roll on.

This

I just put them at 50 with them cold which is max it days. I plan to run around with my gauge and check them every stop to make sure they don't go low. Hard to tell cause so much weight has them squashed. If they don't feel too good I'll throw 10 more in them.

Personally, considering the load and distance, I would keep my speed down even further. The lost time and damage from a blowout can be significant. Particularly when going thru the hot areas I would take it very easy on the speed. Safe travels.