Should Trailer Tires Be Inflated to Rating On Sidewall or Per Trailer Manufacturer's Recommendation
Question:
Just read reply to fill tires on trailers to psi on tire cold of course. We put on new tires, hirer ply, Hercules and their psi rating is higher than the stock ones we had on at first. Tire installer says to still only fill to 80psi as thats the recommendation on the trailer, whereas your comment elsewhere would be to fill them to the 100psi thats on the tire. Other places I have read to go by what the sticker is on the trailer, not the tires capacity. Clear up the mud please.
asked by: SONJA H
Expert Reply:
Most trailer tires are capacity tested only at their full inflation pressure listed on the tire's sidewall. Since they're not tested at lower pressures, if the tire isn't fully inflated, the tire's capacity will be reduced by an unknown amount and could easily become overloaded without the user knowing it.
Excessive heat build up is what causes tires to prematurely fail. Failure to fully inflate the tire, overloading the tire, and exceeding the tire's speed rating all contribute to heat build up in a tire which will shorten its life.
In a nutshell, this is why we recommend keeping trailer tires fully inflated to the pressure listed on their sidewall.
I've linked to our series of trailer wheel and tire articles, which contain more information about trailer wheels and tires than you can shake a stick at.
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Kenda 4.80/4.00-8 Bias Trailer Tire with 8" White Wheel - 5 on 4-1/2 - Load Range B
- Trailer Tires and Wheels
- Tire with Wheel
- Bias Ply Tire
- Load Range B
- 4.80/4.00-8
- 8 Inch
- 5 on 4-1/2 Inch
- Steel Wheels - Powder Coat
- Kenda
more information >
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