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
Optimistic Paranoid wrote:sgfrye wrote:drsteve wrote:
Inflate to max inflation as shown on the sidewall.
x2
no need to overthink it. has worked for me. autos, boat trailer tires, and motorcycles
As far as cars, vans, pickups, and motorized RVs go, inflate your tires to maximum and go to a mall before it opens. Use a piece of chalk to put a line across each tire, and drive a couple of hundred yards. Then check your tires. In most cases - depending of course on your vehicle weight - I think you will see that the chalk is worn off in the center, but not at the edges, which indicates that not all of the tire tread is making contact with the road.
It seems self-evident to me that this is NOT optimum for either steering traction or braking in the shortest distance. And I suspect you will also be more prone to hydroplaning in the wet than if your tires were making complete contact with the road.
Both Goodyear and Michelin have downloadable RV tire publications, available here:
Recreational Tire Care Guide
RV Tire Guide
They both warn against overinflating tires because of lessened traction, braking and steering.
BTW, the Michelin Guide also says that an overinflated tire is more prone to impact damage
I am talking only about tires on a towable. Max sidewall inflation has been working for me for 30 years. No tire problems on my TT, ever.
