Best Way to Monitor Trailer Tire Pressure and Temperature.

Question:

I understand that trailer tires should be inflated to max PSI, in my case 75 PSI. I also understand that temperature and pressure increase as you drive. My question is how much of a pressure and temperature increase is dangerous? Can you give me a dangerinch number.

asked by: Andrew F

Expert Reply:

Generally tire pressure is going to increase about 1 psi for every 10 degrees in heat above the cold inflation pressure. As an example, if you aired up a Loadstar ST175/80D13 Bias Trailer Tire - Load Range D
Item # AM1ST77 tires to max pressure of 65psi and it was 80F degrees, if the temperature raises 20 degrees to 100F your tires should be running around 67psi. Generally if tires are running hotter than 130-140 degrees it's getting into a dangerous area where malfunctions can occur, but it varies from tire to tire.

The best way to keep tabs on your tire pressure and temperature is using something like the TST TPMS for RVs - Color Display - Signal Booster - 4 Flow Through Tire Sensors # TST-507-FT-4-C, which can be used on cars, RVs or trailers. These have flow through stems to allow you to air up when pressure is low and a heat warning that will notify you when the tires are getting into dangerous temperature ranges. They're a really great solution to help prevent heat related failures on your tires.

I've linked a brief review video of these to show you how they work.

expert reply by: Erik B