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
Per Goodyear:
"...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."
Reams of information here by a tire engineer supporting sidewall cold inflation pressure as being optimum to reduce interply shear.
http://www.rvtiresafety.net/search/label/Interply%20Shear
With tires on multi-axle trailers, like RV trailers, the belt (interply) shear forces can be 24% higher than the belt shear forces of identical size, load and inflation tires on a motorized vehicle.
The internal structural forces are different for torque than for high "slip angle" which is the situation in trailer application. Front tires on cars, motorhome or tow vehicles experience slip angle usually in the 1° range while trailer tires are subject to angles in the 10° and greater range. The forces are NOT linear. 10° can generate significantly more shear than 1°.
"...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."
Reams of information here by a tire engineer supporting sidewall cold inflation pressure as being optimum to reduce interply shear.
http://www.rvtiresafety.net/search/label/Interply%20Shear
With tires on multi-axle trailers, like RV trailers, the belt (interply) shear forces can be 24% higher than the belt shear forces of identical size, load and inflation tires on a motorized vehicle.
The internal structural forces are different for torque than for high "slip angle" which is the situation in trailer application. Front tires on cars, motorhome or tow vehicles experience slip angle usually in the 1° range while trailer tires are subject to angles in the 10° and greater range. The forces are NOT linear. 10° can generate significantly more shear than 1°.
