Will Higher Temperatures In a Desert Affect Maximum Tire Pressure in Trailer Tires  

Question:

Expert Reply:

Regarding tire inflation, trailer tires are built to withstand a lot of abuse. Lower air pressure is more of a problem than higher air pressure. A trailer tire can handle being slightly over-inflated better than being under-inflated, especially if the trailer that the tires are on is loaded to the maximum.

The rule of thumb on tire pressure change due to air temperature is 1 psi for every 10 degrees (Fahrenheit) in temperature change. In most parts of the United States the difference between average summer and winter temperatures is 50 degrees (Fahrenheit) which would be a 5 psi loss or gain. Which would be more of a problem on a trailer tire if it is 5 psi under-inflated.

Also, the difference between cold nighttime temperatures and hot daytime temperatures in most parts of the country is about 20 degrees (Fahrenheit) which would be a 2 psi loss or gain. In the desert regions I would think 50 to 60 degrees (Fahrenheit) would be an average temperature change from day and night.

I would recommend to check the trailers tire pressure in the morning before they are moved or heated up and set the maximum tire pressure at that time. Then, as the day will get hotter and the tire pressure will increase it will not be as much of a problem as if the tire pressure were lower with a load being put on them. When the temperature is reduced at night then the tire pressure would come down to the correct maximum tire pressure that was set that morning.

expert reply by: Jeff D

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