Correct inflation of trailer tires
Everything I read says tires should be inflated to Max psi. Is there general agreement on that? I plan to do whatever is safest and as of last evening, my tires are at 60 and Max is 80, so I have some...
Forum Discussion
Another thought. Under inflated trailer tires can add to sway because with the reduced pressure. The sidewalls flex more allowing the trailer to rock more side to side. This side to side movement while the tire is spinning continually stretches and relaxes the sidewalls which is what causes the sidewalls to heat up.
When not moving side to side this same action occurs under the weight of the trailer because the tire is also flatter where it contacts the road and rounder where it doesn't adding to heating as well. Being flatter where contacting the road occurs whether under inflated or not, but is much worse when under inflated.
When filled to the max psi the sidewalls stay stiffer and don't allow the continuous cycle of stretching and relaxing to occur as badly. It also reduces the amount of rocking from side to side that can occur caused by the sidewalls flexing.
The downside is the trailer can have a bumpy ride when going down the road. But you don't ride inside the trailer anyway and why you should secure items inside the trailer.
The comments above are addressing ST trailer tires only and why they should be inflated to their max psi. The compounds are different than those used in car tires and light truck tires because the nature of the needs for trailer usage. Trailer tires also sit for a long time in between trips.
Car and light truck tires however are designed for day-to-day usage and to flex more than trailer tires creating a smoother ride. So for the most part the heating is not as big a deal as with ST trailer tires. However the side to side movement can still be a problem adding to sway when they are used on a trailer.
When not moving side to side this same action occurs under the weight of the trailer because the tire is also flatter where it contacts the road and rounder where it doesn't adding to heating as well. Being flatter where contacting the road occurs whether under inflated or not, but is much worse when under inflated.
When filled to the max psi the sidewalls stay stiffer and don't allow the continuous cycle of stretching and relaxing to occur as badly. It also reduces the amount of rocking from side to side that can occur caused by the sidewalls flexing.
The downside is the trailer can have a bumpy ride when going down the road. But you don't ride inside the trailer anyway and why you should secure items inside the trailer.
The comments above are addressing ST trailer tires only and why they should be inflated to their max psi. The compounds are different than those used in car tires and light truck tires because the nature of the needs for trailer usage. Trailer tires also sit for a long time in between trips.
Car and light truck tires however are designed for day-to-day usage and to flex more than trailer tires creating a smoother ride. So for the most part the heating is not as big a deal as with ST trailer tires. However the side to side movement can still be a problem adding to sway when they are used on a trailer.
