Tire questions

[seaeagle2]

My trailer tires ST205/75R14 say max load at 50 PSI, the trailer sticker says max psi 50. The wheels (Sendel machined aluminum are max 60 PSI).
The new Goodyear Endurance trailer tires are max load 65 PSI. What would I do, inflate to 50 and call it good. Get new rims rated to 65 on the chance the the tire store won't install max 65 tires on 60 psi rims, or ?

[JIMNLIN]

Tires and wheels have max load and pressure ratings for a reason.
If your wheels don't have a load or presure rating then contact the wheel maker...not a tire mfg.

Every major tire/wheel brand website I've looked at gave information like this from Dexter;
dexter wheels;
2. WHEELS & TIres -
Wheels and tires must be matched. The wheel will have a label stating its rim diameter, width and contour. The tire selected must be approved by the Tire and Rim Association for use on that particular size wheel. The tire capacity selected should not exceed the capacity rating of the wheel. The tire inflation pressure must not exceed the pressure rating of the wheel. WARNING - The use of tires that are not approved for use on a wheel could result in explosive separation of the tire and wheel and could cause a serious accident.

and from a tire mfg;

Goodyear

RIM SELECTION

LOADS AND INFLATIONS FOR RIMS AND WHEELS
IMPORTANT — Rim dimensions are standardized by The Tire and Rim Association for size and contour only, and particular tire and rim combinations are designated to assure proper mounting and fit of the tire to the rim. The load and cold inflation pressure imposed on the rim and wheel must not exceed the rim and wheel manufacturer’s recommendations even though the tire may be approved for a higher load or inflation. Rims and wheels may be identified (stamped) with a maximum load and maximum cold inflation rating. For rims and wheels not so identified or for service conditions exceeding the rated capacities, consult the rim and wheel manufacturer to determine rim and wheel capacities for the intended service.

[Bigbird65]

seaeagle2 wrote:
My trailer tires ST205/75R14 say max load at 50 PSI, the trailer sticker says max psi 50. The wheels (Sendel machined aluminum are max 60 PSI).
The new Goodyear Endurance trailer tires are max load 65 PSI. What would I do, inflate to 50 and call it good. Get new rims rated to 65 on the chance the the tire store won't install max 65 tires on 60 psi rims, or ?

I had the same question on the same size tires because I have been looking at the Goodyear Endurance tires made in the USA. The alloy wheels on our trailer are sold by LionsHead. I contacted them and here was their answer:
Good afternoon,
If you are looking to upgrade to a tire with a higher psi rating, you would need to be sure that the valve stem is also replaced with a valve stem that meets the requirements of the higher psi of the tire upgrade, as long as you do that and do not exceed the load carrying capacity of the unit you should not have a problem.

[DinTulsa]

I would run the new tires at 60psi and call it good. More than likely the new tires at 60 will carry more weight than your current tires at 50.

[bobndot]

Just passing on some info here that i acquired from speaking with tire manufactures.
I have been asking this question for a few months now as i was planning to upgrade my tires and wheels if necessary.

After explaining that i'm willing to spend the money to upgrade my wheels as well , it was explained to me by 2 major tire distributors so far, that i could safely upgrade my ST c rated 50# tire to an ST D rated tire at 65# and still use the OEM 50# wheel. Both said to " not spend the money to buy new wheels for a "c" to "D" tire upgrade" and that's a 15# difference in the wheel. There is a built in margin of safety into the wheels PSI rating. Sometimes when we inflate our tires to max, the centers wear. That was the case with mine. It was recommended to me to under inflate by 5 lbs to get them to wear evenly. That's what i did and all has been fine for 5000 mi so far.
They never run hot, i check the temps with a digital gauge. :R I know..i know...i treat them like children. My DW is trying to get me some therapy.

[JIMNLIN]

A ST tires 65 or 75 or 81 mph speed rating isn't about how fast one can drive but rather how that tire handles heat generated while rolling down the road with a load on it.

Heat is your tire’s number one enemy. Tires with low speed ratings flex and squirm under pressure, causing heat build-up.
Tires with higher performance ratings are better equipped to get rid of heat....partly because of a higher quality tire.

[scbwr]

Another option....just go for a set of Maxxis tires that match the 50 lb. pressure rating. They are a very good tire with excellent reputation. I'd wait to see how the new Marathon tires are rated after they are out for a while. Then, if you really want to upgrade to them, I'd buy wheels that can handle 65 lbs of pressure. I know the Marathons have a higher speed limit, but 65 mph is a high enough rating for towing.

[MFL]

Terryallan wrote:

MFL wrote:
That is a tough question!! OK, money being no object, buy suitable rims to go with tire upgrade.

Another thought keep same rims, inflate tires to 60 psi.

Another option,forget the Endurance, buy Carlisle, or Provider tires C-rated 50 psi.

Jerry

Think it is the endurance tires that are rated to a higher MPH. All, or most all trailer tires are rated to 65 MPH. The endurance tire is rated much higher.

Most...maybe, all...no, the newer Carlisle, and the Provider tires, that I have, are just a couple that are speed rated 81 mph.

Look them up, lots of ST tire improvements in the last few years. Let's hope the Endurance tires get good reviews too.

Jerry

[CALandLIN]

seaeagle2 wrote:
My trailer tires ST205/75R14 say max load at 50 PSI, the trailer sticker says max psi 50. The wheels (Sendel machined aluminum are max 60 PSI).
The new Goodyear Endurance trailer tires are max load 65 PSI. What would I do, inflate to 50 and call it good. Get new rims rated to 65 on the chance the the tire store won't install max 65 tires on 60 psi rims, or ?

There is no restriction for using a 65 PSI tire on a 60 PSI rim as long as you only inflate the tire to 60 PSI cold.

[Frankly]

So after the tire size is a weight and speed rating. This lets you know what the weight limit is and what speed the tire is rated to. I have an old Mercedes and it has weight/speed rated tires of 91H (following the size). The 91 weight rating means it will carry 1356 lbs and the H speed rating means it is rated to 130 mph (at the max pressure). Now just because my tires are rated for 5424 lbs and 130 mph doesn't give me the green light to pile in 57 lead weights and go 130 mph. After all the car only has a GVWR of 4200 lbs and the speed limits are way lower also. So what I am saying is a tire that was sized for your trailer may not have a hugely high load and speed rating, but it may be perfect for your equipment. A tire rated for twice as fast as you want to go and one that will take twice as much load as you need will go flat just as fast if you run over a nail.

[Terryallan]

MFL wrote:
That is a tough question!! OK, money being no object, buy suitable rims to go with tire upgrade.

Another thought keep same rims, inflate tires to 60 psi.

Another option,forget the Endurance, buy Carlisle, or Provider tires C-rated 50 psi.

Jerry

Think it is the endurance tires that are rated to a higher MPH. All, or most all trailer tires are rated to 65 MPH. The endurance tire is rated much higher.

[MitchF150]

Those must be some pretty cheap aluminum wheels?? My little cheap 13" steel spoke wheels came with Load Range D tires rated to 65 psi... I run them at 65 psi and no worries.

I'd be more concerned over the LOAD RATING of the wheel and not the PSI rating? If the wheel isn't rated for more than 60 psi, it's LOAD RATING must be pretty low too??

Good luck!

Mitch

[janechucknicode]

seaeagle2 wrote:
My trailer tires ST205/75R14 say max load at 50 PSI, the trailer sticker says max psi 50. The wheels (Sendel machined aluminum are max 60 PSI).
The new Goodyear Endurance trailer tires are max load 65 PSI. What would I do, inflate to 50 and call it good. Get new rims rated to 65 on the chance the the tire store won't install max 65 tires on 60 psi rims, or ?

Always go with what the writing ON the TIRE is,if it indicate 50- then 50, if 60 ..go for it. Rims are not the tires unless they match rated caps. period.
My 2 p

[MFL]

That is a tough question!! OK, money being no object, buy suitable rims to go with tire upgrade.

Another thought keep same rims, inflate tires to 60 psi.

Another option,forget the Endurance, buy Carlisle, or Provider tires C-rated 50 psi.

Agree with above, tire store guy won't notice rim restriction, or he'll figure what's 5 psi, no big deal.

Myself, I would stay with original tire/wheel rating, and put one of above mentioned brands on, inflate to 50 psi, and call it good, unless barely adequate. But that just me.:)

Jerry

[hellfirehydra]

If the tires will support the weight of your trailer at 60 psi, run them at 60 and drive on.