Should Trailer Tires Always be Inflated to Their Max PSI

Question

Question:

If the rim is not rated for the full weight of the load range D tire, will it hold the 100 lbs of pressure it calls for? And that is at cold temp pressure right, so when it warms up it could be 5 to be 15 lbs more. What Im trying to figure out is, is there any point of buy the better tire Load D if the rim cant support the air pressure? Or can l run the D tire at 75 lbs which is what the C tire calls for or is that not good for the tire. I just want the best set up I can get to run 70 mpg, carrying 1500 lbs, and off road at times dirving on pointy rocks.

asked by: Curtis

0

Expert Reply:

On a towing setup you are always limited by the lowest rated component as the overall towing capacity since that is the weakest point.

When it comes to trailer tires you always want to have them inflated to their max psi when cold. Not only do you get the full capacity at the max psi, you also will generate less heat in the tire since there won't be as much flex in the sidewall, you'll get better wear and better fuel mileage.

The Kenda 5.70-8 Bias Trailer Tire with 8" White Wheel # AM30153 inflated to its max psi of 100 psi would be your best option. You would be limited to 900 lbs per wheel of capacity since that is the wheel capacity.

Unless otherwise stated trailer tires are not rated to exceed 65 miles per hour. If you exceed 65 mph, heat could build up in the tire and cause it to break down and fail. If a tire is rated to run at a higher speed, this information should be listed on the trailer's sidewall.

I attached an FAQ on trailer tires for you to check out also.

expert reply by: Jameson C

0

Greg

5/29/2020

On 205/75/ r 14 tire calls for 50psi can I overinflate I little bit cuz tread is wearing on outside like it’s been under inflated but I know has not been. Tires have 20000 miles on them 3 years old

Reply

Chris R.

6/1/2020

I don't recommend inflating your tires beyond the max listed 50 psi. This could lead to a tire failure/blowout on the road. Are you sure that you aren't overloading their capacity? A 205/75R14 trailer tire with that max psi listing has a capacity of 1,760 pounds.

Reply

Mike

10/22/2020

@ChrisR Same problem for me. I run my tires at 50 psi, the maximum pressure for the tire. Probably 15,000 miles on the tire and I run at about 50% of the maximum weight of the trailer. It is severely wearing on the outside of the tire, like it is running toe in or something. (The front tires worse than the rear) I suppose on a tandem axle it doesn't run straight on curves; is that the problem? Or is there an easy fix with what I'm doing? Thanks.

Reply

Jon G.

10/23/2020

@Mike When a trailer tire wears prematurely on the outside that is an indication of overinflation. Since you aren't filling up your trailer completely then it seems like you'll want to run the tires are a lower psi rating. For the longest time we were told by our tire manufacturers to never run tires less than what was on the sidewall but recently they have all started releasing charts that show varying psi ratings depending on the weight of the trailer. I would reach out to your tire manufacturer or look on their website for a chart to make sure you can release some of that air and still tow safely. If your front tires are wearing quicker than the rear on a tandem axle trailer then you either have too much tongue weight on your trailer (it should be 10-15% for a bumper pull) OR you don't have your ball mount at the proper height. Here is a link to a tire FAQ and one for a ball mount FAQ for you to check out.

Helpful Links

faq-ballmount.aspx

faq-trailer-tire-frequently-asked-questions.aspx

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See All (5) Replies to Greg ∨

Answer 1

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…

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Answer 2

Trailer tires should be inflated when they are cold and should be inflated to the max psi rating on the sidewall. In your case you would want to run 80 psi. If you don&#39;t inflate them to the max psi figure you will lose weight capacity…

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Answer 3

The clip that goes around 3 of the leaves of the 5-Leaf Spring part #e34SR that you referenced can go either in front of the axle or behind it. Either way would be perfectly fine. I attached an FAQ on trailer suspension for you to check out as well.

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Answer 4

The majority of brake line installations we do in our shop match the first method you have in the photo, labeled &quot;Branch&quot;. We also prefer to use rubber hoses as they are easier to work with and there won&#39;t be an…

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Answer 5

There are a couple of ways you can bleed a trailer brake system. Titan offers the following instructions, which I have also linked for you, on bleeding the brakes: Remove the master cylinder cap and fill the reservoir to three quarters full with…

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Answer 6

Yes, you can weld on the Dexter DX7.5L A-60 Brake Actuator w Electric Lockout - Bolt On - Disc - 2&quot; Ball - Zinc - 7.5K item #DX56FR you referenced. You will want to make sure you remove the zinc coating and get down to the bare metal.…

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Answer 7

Tire pressure recommendations for wheels and tires are for when the tire is &quot;cold&quot; or has been towed in a long enough time that the tire is ambient temperature. So if you are inflating it to the recommended temperature…

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Answer 8

If the tire sidewall says 50 psi is the max cold rating then I definitely would avoid filling it up to 60 psi as that will surely cause a blowout once you get going down the road. What you need is a trailer tire that can handle a higher weight…

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Answer 9

The Westlake ST225/75R15 Radial Trailer Tire w/ 15&quot; Silver Mod Wheel - 6 on 5-1/2 - Load Range E #LHAW124 should be inflated to 80 psi when cold. It is great that you do use a TPMS like #TST-507-FT-4-C that monitors both tire pressure…

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Answer 10

In order to determine the torque rating for the lug nuts on your trailer you will need to know check out the chart I attached that shows all of the torque specs for all the trailer lugs available based on stud size, wheel material and wheel size.

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Answer 11

The modern size equivalent of the 20.5x8-10 that you have currently would be the same size tire that is on the #AM3H340 that you referenced, 205/65-10. As long as the bolt pattern of your current hubs are 4 on 4 inch the wheels of this would bolt…

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Answer 12

Your math is correct in your trailer weight load example. If a fully-loaded tandem axle trailer weighs 4000-lbs then each of the 4 tires will bear 1/4th of that load, or 1000-lbs. In this case a tire rated for 1300-lbs would provide a good safety…

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Should Trailer Tires Always be Inflated to Their Max PSI

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