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Tire inflation

Shoe2728
Explorer
Explorer
Got E rated tires installed, 80psi max, Tire guy said it would be better to run around 65-70 psi as tires heat up. Always thought I should run max cold rating 80psi. FW weight is around 9000 lbs hooked up to truck.
76 REPLIES 76

rhagfo
Explorer III
Explorer III
MM49 wrote:
Trailer tire design recommends less traction and less grip for better performance in trailer application. A trailer tire should be better at sliding that steering. This is the main argument with putting LT tires on a trailer application. The people of this group require that you drink the koolade and forget about suspension performance. Or just wait five minutes and they will contradict themselves.
MM49


Wow, that is an awesome statement!! When I need the tires on my trailer to grip the road braking, I sure don't want them to slip/slide all over the place I want them to GRIP!!
The only time a trailer tire is scrubbing in a turn is in a campground, or city street, on the highway the turns are not noticeable to a trailer.
Russ & Paula the Beagle Belle.
2016 Ram Laramie 3500 Aisin DRW 4X4 Long bed.
2005 Copper Canyon 293 FWSLS, 32' GVWR 12,360#

"Visit and Enjoy Oregon State Parks"

Me_Again
Explorer III
Explorer III
MM49 wrote:
Trailer tire design recommends less traction and less grip for better performance in trailer application. A trailer tire should be better at sliding that steering. This is the main argument with putting LT tires on a trailer application. The people of this group require that you drink the koolade and forget about suspension performance. Or just wait five minutes and they will contradict themselves.
MM49



So tell me why ST have a A/S type tread. Seems to me that might be one of the reason they rip their caps off!

Good tread for trailer?


Bad tread for trailer?


Chris
2021 F150 2.7 Ecoboost - Summer Home 2017 Bighorn 3575el. Can Am Spyder RT-L Chrome, Kawasaki KRX1000. Retired and enjoying it! RIP DW 07-05-2021

MM49
Explorer
Explorer
Trailer tire design recommends less traction and less grip for better performance in trailer application. A trailer tire should be better at sliding that steering. This is the main argument with putting LT tires on a trailer application. The people of this group require that you drink the koolade and forget about suspension performance. Or just wait five minutes and they will contradict themselves.
MM49

allen8106
Explorer
Explorer
Dennis M M wrote:


1. weigh your rig - axle weights are fine, but individual wheel weights are better.


Any suggestions on where a guy could get individual wheel weights? As far as I know you can only get axle weights at a CAT scale.
2010 Eagle Super Lite 315RLDS
2018 GMC Sierra 3500HD 6.6L Duramax

2010 Nights 45
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coolbreeze01
Explorer
Explorer
Think about where the weight goes on curves.
2008 Ram 3500 With a Really Strong Tractor Motor...........
LB, SRW, 4X4, 6-Speed Auto, 3.73, Prodigy P3, Blue Ox Sway Pro........
2014 Sandsport 26FBSL

rhagfo
Explorer III
Explorer III
Shoe2728 wrote:
Got E rated tires installed, 80psi max, Tire guy said it would be better to run around 65-70 psi as tires heat up. Always thought I should run max cold rating 80psi. FW weight is around 9000 lbs hooked up to truck.


If you have 9,000# on the trailer tires, assuming four. Your tire guy is correct, the four tires have a capacity of about 12,000# +/- so 65 to 70 psi will give you full tread contact for braking.
Russ & Paula the Beagle Belle.
2016 Ram Laramie 3500 Aisin DRW 4X4 Long bed.
2005 Copper Canyon 293 FWSLS, 32' GVWR 12,360#

"Visit and Enjoy Oregon State Parks"

noteven
Explorer III
Explorer III
Would anyone here run 125psi system MAX in their air suspension Class A all the time? Why not? The air springs are capable of 125psi...

rhagfo
Explorer III
Explorer III
Me Again wrote:
Shoe2728 wrote:
I had St 235 80R 16E went to BF Goodrich Commercial T/A All-Season 235 85R 16E GVW of FW is 12000. I have looked for a pressure weight table but mostly all I fine is max inflation rate is 80 psi. I have a 2011 crossroads cruiser 305skp


To get this back on track.

With a 12K 5th wheel you have around 9,600 lbs on the axles. Michelin CS(BFG is one of theirs) will tell you if you know your weights to use the inflation chart, if not run max sidewall pressure. I have a slightly heavier trailer that is placard for that size and list 65 lbs inflation. I run 71 pounds after finding a slight more wear on the outer edges years ago. My friends similar size trailer was placard at 80 PSI. So not everyone agrees.

Michelin will also tell you that over inflation reduces braking and increases the chance of impact damage. Weight the axles, check the inflation chart and add 5 PSI would be my answer.

Chris


Inflation is inflation!!

I also run the tires on my 5er at 70 pas not 80!
When towing I have 10,000# on the TV and only about 9,500# on the 5er. tires on the 5er rate at 3,042 each, 12,164 total I don't need 80 psi for that load.

I want the tire on the 5er to have full contact with the road for braking.

The reason the trailer manufactures state run full pressure is the standard tire is MAXed out, and they are crappy ST tires in the first place! :S
Russ & Paula the Beagle Belle.
2016 Ram Laramie 3500 Aisin DRW 4X4 Long bed.
2005 Copper Canyon 293 FWSLS, 32' GVWR 12,360#

"Visit and Enjoy Oregon State Parks"

rhagfo
Explorer III
Explorer III
Me Again wrote:
Shoe2728 wrote:
I had St 235 80R 16E went to BF Goodrich Commercial T/A All-Season 235 85R 16E GVW of FW is 12000. I have looked for a pressure weight table but mostly all I fine is max inflation rate is 80 psi. I have a 2011 crossroads cruiser 305skp


To get this back on track.

With a 12K 5th wheel you have around 9,600 lbs on the axles. Michelin CS(BFG is one of theirs) will tell you if you know your weights to use the inflation chart, if not run max sidewall pressure. I have a slightly heavier trailer that is placard for that size and list 65 lbs inflation. I run 71 pounds after finding a slight more wear on the outer edges years ago. My friends similar size trailer was placard at 80 PSI. So not everyone agrees.

Michelin will also tell you that over inflation reduces braking and increases the chance of impact damage. Weight the axles, check the inflation chart and add 5 PSI would be my answer.

Chris


One of the many reasons to CORRECTLY inflate your tires!! Too much pressure for the load makes the tire too hard!
Russ & Paula the Beagle Belle.
2016 Ram Laramie 3500 Aisin DRW 4X4 Long bed.
2005 Copper Canyon 293 FWSLS, 32' GVWR 12,360#

"Visit and Enjoy Oregon State Parks"

Me_Again
Explorer III
Explorer III
Shoe2728 wrote:
I had St 235 80R 16E went to BF Goodrich Commercial T/A All-Season 235 85R 16E GVW of FW is 12000. I have looked for a pressure weight table but mostly all I fine is max inflation rate is 80 psi. I have a 2011 crossroads cruiser 305skp


To get this back on track.

With a 12K 5th wheel you have around 9,600 lbs on the axles. Michelin CS(BFG is one of theirs) will tell you if you know your weights to use the inflation chart, if not run max sidewall pressure. I have a slightly heavier trailer that is placard for that size and list 65 lbs inflation. I run 71 pounds after finding a slight more wear on the outer edges years ago. My friends similar size trailer was placard at 80 PSI. So not everyone agrees.

Michelin will also tell you that over inflation reduces braking and increases the chance of impact damage. Weight the axles, check the inflation chart and add 5 PSI would be my answer.

Chris
2021 F150 2.7 Ecoboost - Summer Home 2017 Bighorn 3575el. Can Am Spyder RT-L Chrome, Kawasaki KRX1000. Retired and enjoying it! RIP DW 07-05-2021

goducks10
Explorer
Explorer
wilber1 wrote:
Cummins12V98 wrote:
phillyg wrote:
Run them at max pressure indicated on the tires.


Are you saying you run 80psi on your 350 on all 4 tires all the time? If so how many miles did you get on your last set of tires?


The OP was asking a question about trailer tires on the 5th wheel forum. Somehow it became about trucks.


I don't get it. You mean posters changed the subject? Unheard of on here. :B

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Explorer III
"Unless trying to resolve poor ride quality problems with an RV trailer, it is recommended that trailer tires be inflated to the pressure indicated on the sidewall of the tire. Trailer tires experience significant lateral (side-to-side) loads due to vehicle sway from uneven roads or passing vehicles. Using the inflation pressure engraved on the sidewall will provide optimum load carrying capacity and minimize heat build-up."

I have talked to GY tech Support. They will not tell you to run anything different than what the RV mfg recommends. The fact is most all RV companies Max out each set of tires and do require max PSI.

Now for example the newer Mobile Suites come with GY 17.5H tires and they don't have to be inflated to MAX because they have about 1.000# extra capacity on their tires.

I ran the original GY G's at 95-100 psi because the load did not require 110 MAX load. Tires wore perfectly even never a problem. Changed those tires out to GY H 17.5's I don't run 120# MAX I run 105 because my load has increased over time.

When talking to GY Tech about up sizing they said to weigh your axles or better weigh each tire then use the Weight/inflation guide to determine psi required then add 5psi to that number based on the heaviest tire on each axle.

So when a tire maker tells you to run MAX psi it's because the vast majority of the time the tires need it and it's a CYA for the tire company since the RV maker is responsible for the load they are rating for each RV.

The tech person said NOT to overinflated the tires since it will cause you to have less stopping traction and wear the center of the tires out.
2015 RAM LongHorn 3500 Dually CrewCab 4X4 CUMMINS/AISIN RearAir 385HP/865TQ 4:10's
37,800# GCVWR "Towing Beast"

"HeavyWeight" B&W RVK3600

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2007.5 Mobile Suites 36 SB3 29,000# Combined SOLD

jadatis
Explorer
Explorer
avvidclif1 wrote:
There is enough tire expertise on this group that they should be able to design the PERFECT trailer tire. If only the mfgs and engineers would listen to the pros.


Its not that the manufacturars and engineers of tires are making bad tires. The original design is good and the pressure advices of car makers is to give as much possible reserve so as high as possible pressure for the conditions , for savety and fuel saving.

But then if the to goal declared means the Economy ask it, they go lowering their standards.

That is for instance for traveltrailers and 5th wheelers with lower speed then for cars, they suddenly allow themselfes to go to the edges of what is save. This means ST tires with about 18% more maximum load then a comparable LT tire , yust because they wont get damaged at 65m/h to their calculations.
At that more deflection so lesser fuel saving and a bit more load or more speed, or pressure drop and the tire is in the danger sone.

But what is written about always keeping "maximum pressure" is not always needed, there are exeptions.
for instance on Airstream forum I once reacted for TT with 2 axles 4 tires ST E-load so 80 psi. With all the reserves added for savety and reduction of maximum load only came to about 50 psi.

Also for the Ford Explorer ( you know from the Ford/Firestone affaire with more then 100 people died most because of roll over accident by blowing rear tire), the 26 psi appeared to be to low, but the later chanched to 30 psi apeared to be enaugh to give no damage to the tire.
Wilber1 writes 44 psi using , and probably has comparable tires and GVWR/GAWR as that Ford Explorer so most likely is completely save too at lower pressure , for instance 35 psi.

So best is still to calculate it with as much possible reserve without bumping and then if pressure even is a bit above AT-pressure , no problemm .

wilber1
Explorer
Explorer
Cummins12V98 wrote:
phillyg wrote:
Run them at max pressure indicated on the tires.


Are you saying you run 80psi on your 350 on all 4 tires all the time? If so how many miles did you get on your last set of tires?


The OP was asking a question about trailer tires on the 5th wheel forum. Somehow it became about trucks.
"Never trust a man who has not a single redeeming vice" WSC

2011 RAM 3500 SRW
2015 Grand Design Reflection 303RLS

Me_Again
Explorer III
Explorer III
avvidclif1 wrote:
There is enough tire expertise on this group that they should be able to design the PERFECT trailer tire. If only the mfgs and engineers would listen to the pros.


There are PERFECT trailer tires today from Goodyear, Michelin, Bridgestone and others! Their size just does not start with ST! I have run Michelin XPS Ribs and Bridgestone Duravis R250's on my trailer. I think the R250 for axles up to 6K is about as perfect as there is available! For 7K axles the GY G614 is as perfect as there is available! Above that 17.5 rims and tires are as perfect as there is available.

One just has to be willing to spend the money! Admission is just not cheap!

Carlisle is "trying" to forge a new route, it is to bad no trailer manufacturer is coming on board to get enough product is use to provide reliable feed back on their new product, as a couple posters here with small light trailers is not the type of feed back needed to truly show if they have solved the riddle of the sphinx.

I would like to hear from someone that had OEM ST235/80R16E on 6750-7K axles and after failures switched to the Radial Trail RH's and ran two or three years and a lot of miles in hot SW conditions without problems.

Carlisle should get a 15K 5th wheel trailer and TV, and run it back and forth between Palm Springs and Phoenix in hot and windy weather and see if it can log 40K miles without a problem. I have done that 300 mile leg with 40 mph wind out of the South all day long. Tires on the shaded down wind side ran hotter than the ones in the sun!

It would be a great test and sales promotion! 67 days of round trips across the desert. Stick that in your bass boat and go fishing!

Chris
2021 F150 2.7 Ecoboost - Summer Home 2017 Bighorn 3575el. Can Am Spyder RT-L Chrome, Kawasaki KRX1000. Retired and enjoying it! RIP DW 07-05-2021