Posted 2014-04-11 11:34 AM (#158600) Subject: Tire pressure
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 322
Location: Fort Madison, Iowa
While my tires were off my trailer the other day when I was having new brakes put on, I thought it looked like I was getting a small wear pattern in the center of the tires.
The tires will be on the trailer 2 years this August and the trailer is on the road every week during warm months and my riding park is about 30 miles round trip. My yearly vacation is 12 hours round trip so not a lot of miles on them yet.
My tires are Power King Towmax STR 85R15 10ply E rating and the tires have 80psi on them and I've been keeping 65lbs in them. If I'm thinking right, a center wear pattern would mean too much air but I wouldn't think 65 would be too much.
Do I have too much air in them and if so, how much should I have?
Posted 2014-04-11 11:43 AM (#158601 - in reply to #158600) Subject: RE: Tire pressure
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Posts: 560
Location: Mena, AR
My tires say 80psi, and that is what is what is on the tag on my trailer, so that is what I keep them at +/- 5psi. I would think 20psi under your recommended amount is too much.
Posted 2014-04-11 1:41 PM (#158609 - in reply to #158600) Subject: RE: Tire pressure
Expert
Posts: 5870
Location: western PA
You're correct in assuming the center wear pattern was caused by too much air pressure. That is the opposite of too low a pressure that causes the outside corner transistions to wear first from underinflation.
You didn't say how heavy a trailer you're pulling. An "E" range tire in a tall profile like yours, with a lighter load, will wear more in the center with lighter loads, than a lower profile tire and more weight.
I would not lower the tire pressure you're using now. As was stated, many owners run their tire pressures at the max inflation marked on the side wall. Most trailer tires will die of old age before they actually wear out. Even if the tires are showing an over inflation pattern, it may take many miles before a significant amount of wear renders them unserviceable. If you run low inflation figures, you risk overheating the tires causing a cord and sidewall damage with a resulting blow out, as well reducing their load rating capabilities. A fully loaded tire should be run at its max inflation rating to achieve its stated capacity.
Posted 2014-04-11 3:11 PM (#158613 - in reply to #158600) Subject: RE: Tire pressure
Member
Posts: 11
Location: The Nederlands Europe
I can calculate the needed pressure for your trailer.Made spreadsheet in wich I even use saver formula then the tire-makers do.Also take some reserve. With all that reserve it can still come lower then that 80 or 65psi.Need weight of full trailer and the tire specifications ( missing widht incomplete given).So if you give that I will calculate and give a picture of my answering post.greatings from Holland ( Europe)Peter
Posted 2014-04-14 4:03 PM (#158638 - in reply to #158600) Subject: RE: Tire pressure
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 322
Location: Fort Madison, Iowa
I have a 21' 3 horse Sidekick Trailer and the plate on the trailer has 15,500 for weight and I believe it's alittle more with having an enclosed haypod. It also has 80psi on it as well for tires. I wanted to put the tires at 80 psi but my other half that doesn't ride horses and only pull boats and 4 wheelers, didn't think I should even put them at 65. Would I find the width on the tires?
I've had a couple of blowouts in the past and probably didn't have enough air in them or they did have some age on them. Since there's a small wear in the center I shouldh't have to worry as much about a blow out and I'll just plan to keep them at 65..
Posted 2014-04-14 4:07 PM (#158639 - in reply to #158600) Subject: RE: Tire pressure
Veteran
Posts: 218
Location: Ohio
You should run your tires at the rated pressure. I run mine at 80psi as well. As has been said, you will get the actual rating out of the tire if you max the pressure.
Posted 2014-04-14 4:08 PM (#158640 - in reply to #158600) Subject: RE: Tire pressure
Expert
Posts: 5870
Location: western PA
If you're hauling 15 grand, the tires will have to be inflated to 80 PSI. Anything less is under inflated for that weight. If you have been running 65 PSI, that has overheated your tires, reduced their load capacity and is the main reason for your blow outs.
I run all of my trailer tires at their maximum inflation pressure. Some are 65 psi, some 80 and others are 110 psi... Max. pressure should be printed on the tire's sidewall.
Posted 2014-04-14 10:37 PM (#158650 - in reply to #158649) Subject: RE: Tire pressure
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Posts: 3853
Location: Vermont
Originally written by horsin around on 2014-04-14 10:17 PM
Sounds like I better go with what I originally wanted to do and bring them up to 80. Maybe I wasn't seeing a middle wear... Thanks everyone, I don't want the experience of a blow out again!!
You may have been seeing the beginning of tire deterioration due to excess heat buildup
Posted 2014-04-15 11:18 AM (#158661 - in reply to #158600) Subject: RE: Tire pressure
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 322
Location: Fort Madison, Iowa
I'm glad I put new brakes on when I did and asked what I thought was probably going to be a dumb repeat question. I'v been lucky most of my hauling is a 20 minute drive to my riding park but I've had two vacations trips that I could have easliy had problems on the road....
Posted 2014-04-20 9:08 PM (#158735 - in reply to #158600) Subject: RE: Tire pressure
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 322
Location: Fort Madison, Iowa
Filled my tires to 80 this weekend and I thought I should look more at my truck tires.
On my trailer the plate reads 80 psi and so do my tires. My question is which one should I go by on my truck. My truck is a F250 diesel and the plate on the inside door of my truck reads 55 psi on the front and 70 on the back. My tires are a 10 ply E rated tire and they read 80 psi. Which one should I go by?
Posted 2014-04-20 9:36 PM (#158736 - in reply to #158735) Subject: RE: Tire pressure
Expert
Posts: 3853
Location: Vermont
Originally written by horsin around on 2014-04-20 9:08 PM
Filled my tires to 80 this weekend and I thought I should look more at my truck tires.On my trailer the plate reads 80 psi and so do my tires. My question is which one should I go by on my truck. My truck is a F250 diesel and the plate on the inside door of my truck reads 55 psi on the front and 70 on the back. My tires are a 10 ply E rated tire and they read 80 psi. Which one should I go by?Thanks!
Go by the tires information...remember Ford Explorers door panel suggested under inflated tires to smooth the ride and we all know how that turned out...
Posted 2014-04-22 2:07 AM (#158751 - in reply to #158747) Subject: RE: Tire pressure
Member
Posts: 11
Location: The Nederlands Europe
you are writing cetre wear , wich is most unlikely with 65 psi ,or the tires must be pretty oversised.Is it not that the outside of the tire that is on the outsideof the car is wore and the middle and innerside is wore less. Then its an alignment issue, to in or out. But my offer in my former post still stands,give real weight or Gross vehicle weight rating of trailer, and tire data as maximum load and needed pressure for that, and I will calculate the highest possibel pressure with still acceptable comfort , gripp and even wear.