Trailer Tires

klutchdust wrote:

Vulcan Rider wrote:

chrisbailey13 wrote:


Inflation•Always inflate trailer tires to the maximum inflation indicated on the sidewall.

•If the tires are hot to the touch from operation, add three psi to the max inflation.


These facts are courtesy of Discount Tire.

Most of those points can be considered "facts"; some shouldn't be.

My trailer plus load NEVER exceeds half of the load rating of the tires. Therefore using the max. inflation pressure will result in poor contact area, increased center wear and a harsher ride than necessary. It won't really hurt anything but the tires will wear out quicker. This situation is preferred to under-inflation though.

Tires will ALWAYS be "hot to the touch" after driving in the summertime. Blindly following this recommendation, especially combined with the other one above, could result in a dangerous situation. What if you feel them again in a few hundred miles and the STILL are HOT ???

I thought the same thing concerning the tires being hot. I carry a temperature checker and would compare tires during a trip.A difference in temperature and i would use a pressure gauge. Next time

you walk past a big rig at a rest area just touch one of the tires on the drive axle.A little warm aye?

You guys don't really believe that discount tire is suggesting that you add three psi blindly every time your tires feel hot to the touch do you? They are saying that when you check the air on a tire that is hot that you should add 3 psi to the max inflation. If max inflation is 50 and you check them before you start you trip they should be set at 50. If you check them on a pit stop during your trip without the tires having time to cool, they should be at 53. Air expands as it heats up.