How to Properly Inflate a Trailer Tire to Maximum Air Pressure

Question

Question:

I always read that you should inflate to the maximum tire pressure on the sidewall. If I inflate a cold tire to the max it will exceed those limits as the tire temp increase down the road. I have found on avg by 5 to 7 PSI. So now the hot tire is 72PSI instead of the max 65PSI. Is this OK? Or should I cold inflate 5 to 7 PSI under the max to allow for the heat expansion?

asked by: Bob G

0

Expert Reply:

As you mentioned in your question, tires should always be inflated to the maximum psi rating as listed on the tire's side wall. At maximum air pressure, tires will perform and wear best, as well as get better gas mileage. An underinflated tire can lead to the sidewall of the tire heating up, which may ultimately cause the tire to fail.

You should always inflate your tires to their maximum air pressure when they are cold. The small increase in psi as they warm up on the road is expected and okay. In fact, the recommended tire pressure as specified on the sidewall is based on cold inflation pressure.

I have also attached a helpful FAQ article on trailer tires that briefly touches on this subject for you to check out.

expert reply by: Chris R

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Answer 1

The trick with trailer tires is to inflate them to the max psi figure listed on the sidewall when they are cold and you are good. You do not need to anticipate pressure increasing from heat as this figure has already considered that. So first thing…

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Answer 2

It is certainly possible for any axle to wear out enough over time to need replacing. Since the suspension is built into a torsion axle if the suspension part was to wear out pretty much the only solution would be to replace the axle. If the…

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Answer 3

The best practice is honestly to replace tires in pairs. That way they should wear at the same rate and they'll be on the same replacement rotation. This being said, if the tires on that axle were still pretty new (a year or less old) and…

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Answer 4

All special trailer tires regardless of size should always be inflated to the maximum psi pressure rating that is noted on the tire sidewall. It is never appropriate to under- or over-inflate a trailer tire since only when inflated to their rated…

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Answer 5

If the weight on a tire is heavy enough that the tire deforms then the pressure would increase with added weight. Under normal circumstances the pressure in a tire remains the same regardless if there is a load on them or not. Since the volume of the…

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Answer 6

Trailer tire speed ratings do use a letter code system. A tire rated L for speed means it can be operated up to 75 mph; a tire rated M for speed can be operated up to 81 mph. There are many other speed codes. A trailer tire that does NOT indicate any…

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Answer 7

I can end this debate for you real fast! Trailer tires, which will have an ST in front of the size, should always be inflated to the maximum psi indicated on the tire. Trailer tires usually do not have a recommended and maximum psi indication so I am…

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Answer 8

Load range B trailer tires are going to have a lower capacity than C load range tires. Basically that, psi rating, and the ply rating are the only differences. A higher load range tire would last a little longer than lower load ranges of the same…

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Answer 9

A common cause for a trailer brake circuit to activate at full power is a corrosion issue in the vehicle 7-way socket and/or the trailer plug. Corrosion can build-up inside a connector or on its contacts. When this happens two separate circuits, like…

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Answer 10

The psi of your trailer tires will be listed on the side wall. It will list the max psi which is what you will want to fill them to regardless of how much weight you have. For reference, the 4.80 x 12 tires we carry have a 60 psi max for load range B…

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Answer 11

Although we do not carry Carlisle tires I was able to find the maximum pressure for the 4.80-8 sport trail tire on their site. If you have a load range B tire the correct psi is 60. If you have a load range C tire the correct psi is 90. I recommend…

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Answer 12

I have attached a chart you can check out that describes the torque needed per wheel size, wheel stud size and material. For an 8-inch wheel with a 1/2-inch wheel stud the torque is 75 to 86 ft-lbs. For a 15 inch steel wheel with 1/2 inch wheel studs…

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How to Properly Inflate a Trailer Tire to Maximum Air Pressure

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