Should Trailer Tires Run with 10 Less psi During the Summer

Question:

I was told to air pressure in tires by 10 psi during summer spring and summer to run the 80 psi recommendation not by tire people but other rvs said do same on truck. This came about talking about blow outs ive had four on three diffrent brands of tires. While checking tire pressure this summer when temperatures didnt fluctuate much tire pressure didnt either but where it did pressure would go sky high up to and over 100 psi. I see theres a 110 psi tire would that be good tire to use and run at 80 psr like tag says all tires had problems at 100 degrees or more outside temp

asked by: Jim N

Expert Reply:

There are 2 common misconceptions about trailer tires that can definitely lead to blow outs. The first is to fill the tires to the psi listing on the trailer instead of on the sidewall of the tire, and the second is to reduce or increase the air pressure. Both of these are incorrect and can/will lead to tire failure.

When filling up your trailer tires you want to make sure they are cold (after the trailer has been sitting overnight) and then fill them to the psi rating on the sidewall. This ensures that the tire will be able to carry the listed weight and that it won't overheat. Since the manufacturers have tested and rated the tires, if you were to have a different pressure that would make the load and speed ratings unknown. If you were checking your trailer tires right after you were traveling then they would have been hot and the psi would have registered much higher.

For example, the Westlake ST235/85R16 Radial Trailer Tire # LHWL410 has a load range of G (4,400 lbs at 110 psi) and a speed rating of 75 mph. It is one of our most popular tires due to the 5-year warranty and the 2-year roadside assistance, as well as how well it performs. If this is the same size as your current tires then you need to make sure that your valve stem is metal like part # AM20906 so that it can withstand the 110 psi.

We do carry tire monitoring systems like the TireMinder # TM89FR which allows you to keep a close eye on what is going on with up to 4 tires. I have attached a review video for this system for more info.

expert reply by: Jon G