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Member
Posts: 28
Location: Miami, FL | Just bought a new set of LT235/85R16 BF Goodrich Commercial AT that have a PSI of 80.
For an aluminum 3H - 8' short wall trailer (Bison Stratus 8308), can anyone recommend a proper PSI #?
I keep reading that one should keep the tires at max PSI when cold ...
But experience (& instinct) tell me otherwise - anywhere between 55-75?
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 350
Location: Penrose, Colorado | run them lower than 80 and they will over heat and be ruined in short order. they are stamped for a reason on the correct pressure. |
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Regular
Posts: 88
Location: Washington | Run 'em at the recommended pressure. You paid for the load rating and that rating is at 80 psi. I think the LT is a little more forgiving for shedding heat but not worth it to run lower. |
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Veteran
Posts: 108
Location: Lawrence KS | The 80 PSI is not the recommended pressure, Most likely it says Max pressure is 80 psi.
?The trailer manufacturer would be the one to recommend a pressure not the tire manufacturer. Just like on a car or truck. Say a 2005 Dodge 3/4 t recommends 65 psi on the front , just because you put a max rated 80 psi tire on it does not mean you automatically change the manufacturers recommend tire pressure.
?I run trailer tires at 65 psi and have never had a problem. |
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Expert
Posts: 5870
 
Location: western PA | Run your tires at the manufacturer's max recommendation. They will usually die from old age, before they wear out from an overinflation problem.
?Remember the Ford / Firestone fiasco when the tires were improperly under inflated for a better ride? |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 801
Location: Tenn/Ala. | Steve-O - 2016-11-03 3:53 PM The 80 PSI is not the recommended pressure, Most likely it says Max pressure is 80 psi.
?The trailer manufacturer would be the one to recommend a pressure not the tire manufacturer. Just like on a car or truck. Say a 2005 Dodge 3/4 t recommends 65 psi on the front , just because you put a max rated 80 psi tire on it does not mean you automatically change the manufacturers recommend tire pressure.
?I run trailer tires at 65 psi and have never had a problem.
Well, Steve Os info is spot on. Any professional tire person will have a tire factory issued Tire & Rim Data book that will include a chart. For that size tire, there is a chart with weight & inflation pressures needed to carry that weight. Remember- air carries the weight. The tire's job is to carry the air. Tires that are run overinflated are too stiff, resulting in a harsh ride, and hard on the tire itself as it cannot flex as much on a pothole or curb. This became apparent some years ago in the commercial industry when they dropped inflations down to carry the weight, rather than the maximum PSI. Tires starting lasting longer. But that usually only meant going from 120 or 125 down to 110 PSI. And they get checked very often.
Your new BFG will rate at 3,042# per tire, which is 12,168 for all 4, on a trailer that weighs less. So I'm sure there is room to drop it.
But- as a dealer, we recommend running each tire at maximum pressure. Not to talk out of turn, but most folks don't check pressure very often. If that tire can live at 65 or so, starting at 80 gives some insurance against a slow leak or neglect. While some of us can inflate our trailer tires at home, we've found most folks cannot. And they just don't tote a loaded trailer to the tire shop very often. So as to get the most safety we feel we can for our customers, we generally start them at maximum unless asked differently.
Just my opinion, based on being a trailer dealer and a tire dealer for the past 30 or so years. |
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Expert
Posts: 3802
 
Location: Rocky Mount N.C. | Tire inflation chart.....
http://www.goodyearrvtires.com/pdfs/rv_inflation.pdf
http://www.goodyearrvtires.com/pdfs/rv_inflation.pdf
Edited by retento 2016-11-04 9:13 AM
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 322
Location: Fort Madison, Iowa | From experience of having blowouts, I'd recommend running the maximum of 80 psi. I check my tires often around home and always check before going on vacation. After my last blowout, I started to check my air pressure before leaving the campground to come home, something I hadn't done before. Last year, I had a nine hour haul going and a week later I check my tires before leaving. All my tires lost air pressure averaging 6-10 lbs. I'm with RTSmith that by running the maximum you're covered if you lose air while traveling.
The other thing I found out was to make sure your ply is heavy enough for the load you're carrying. I had 10 ply tires and was at my maximum for the weight of the tires so I switched to 14 ply to carry my load. |
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New User
Posts: 2
Location: Lucas tx | Run them at 80! I had several blowouts until I learned that rule. Trailer tires are different than truck tires and many will void their warranty if you run them at less.
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Expert
Posts: 3802
Location: Rocky Mount N.C. | Discount Tire says run "ST" tires at maximum pressure stamped on the sidewall of the tire.....
http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/infoTrailerTireFacts.do
Edited by retento 2016-12-13 3:27 AM
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Expert
Posts: 3802
Location: Rocky Mount N.C. | Discount Tire says run "ST" tires at maximum pressure stamped on the sidewall of the tire.....
http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/infoTrailerTireFacts.do
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Expert
Posts: 3802
Location: Rocky Mount N.C. | Trailer Tire FactsTrailer Tire Applications - Trailer tires are designed for use on trailer axle positions only. They are not built to handle the loads applied to, or the traction required by, drive or steering axles.
Inflation - Always inflate trailer tires to the maximum inflation indicated on the sidewall.
- Check inflation when the tires are cool and have not been exposed to the sun.
- If the tires are hot to the touch from operation, add three psi to the max inflation.
- Underinflation is the number one cause of trailer tire failure.
Load Carrying Capacity - All tires must be identical in size for the tires to properly manage the weight of the trailer.
- The combined capacity of the tires must equal or exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) of the axle.
- The combined capacity of all of the tires should exceed the loaded trailer weight by 20 percent.
- If the actual weight is not available, use the trailer GVW. If a tire fails on a tandem axle trailer, you should replace both tires on that side. The remaining tire is likely to have been subjected to excessive loading.
- If the tires are replaced with tires of larger diameter, the tongue height may need to be adjusted to maintain proper weight distribution.
Speed - All "ST" tires have a maximum speed rating of 65 mph.
- As heat builds up, the tire's structure starts to disintegrate and weaken.
- The load carrying capacity gradually decreases as the heat and stresses generated by higher speed increases.
Time - Time and the elements weaken a trailer tire.
- In approximately three years, roughly one-third of the tire's strength is gone.
- Three to five years is the projected life of a normal trailer tire.
- It is suggested that trailer tires be replaced after three to four years of service regardless of tread depth or tire appearance.
Mileage - Trailer tires are not designed to wear out.
- The life of a trailer tire is limited by time and duty cycles.
- The mileage expectation of a trailer tire is 5,000 to 12,000 miles.
Why Use An "ST" Tire - "ST" tires feature materials and construction to meet the higher load requirements and demands of trailering.
- The polyester cords are bigger than they would be for a comparable "P" or "LT" tire.
- The steel cords have a larger diameter and greater tensile strength to meet the additional load requirements.
- "ST" tire rubber compounds contain more chemicals to resist weather and ozone cracking.
Storage - The ideal storage for trailer tires is in a cool, dark garage at maximum inflation.
- Use tire covers to protect the tires from direct sunlight.
- Use thin plywood sections between the tire and the pavement.
- For long term storage, put the trailer on blocks to take the weight off the tires. Then lower the air pressure and cover the tires to protect them from direct sunlight.
Maintenance - Clean the tires using mild soap and water.
- Do not use tire-care products containing alcohol or petroleum distillates.
- Inspect the tires for any cuts, snags, bulges or punctures.
- Check the inflation before towing and again before the return trip.
Keys to Avoiding Trouble - Make sure your rig is equipped with the proper tires.
- Maintain the tires meticulously.
- Replace trailer tires every three to five years, whether they look like they're worn out or not.
Trailer Tire Warranty - The Carlisle trailer tire warranty applies to the original purchaser for three years from the date of purchase or until the tread depth reaches 3/32".
- The OE (original equipment) warranty goes into effect at the time of the trailer purchase
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Expert
Posts: 1989
Location: South Central OK | Seeing the above post and remembering why I changed to LT trires all those years ago...I can't remember when I've ever driven on a highway at 65MPH unless it's the posted speed limit. ST tires have a speed rating of 65MPH, drive faster than this number and it's trouble. |
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Member
Posts: 15
Location: SW OK | huntseat - 2016-12-15 10:05 AM Seeing the above post and remembering why I changed to LT trires all those years ago...I can't remember when I've ever driven on a highway at 65MPH unless it's the posted speed limit. ST tires have a speed rating of 65MPH, drive faster than this number and it's trouble.
That and the part about the expected life of ST tires being no more than 12000 miles. That might be fine if you pulled the trailer no more than that in the 3-4 years of life it says to expect, but when you pull it 10-12k a year, ST's don't dollar out over LT's. |
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New User
Posts: 2
| Just wanted to let you know that in my experience I've found that overloading and under inflation are the BIGGEST causes for blowouts. It's important that you make sure that both your tire and rims are rated for the same PSI. What are your rims rated for? If they're lower then eventually down the road your rims are going to crack. I've been running 19.5 tire and wheels from Boar Wheel for the last two years and couldn't be happier. They are both rated for 110 PSI. They have a higher speed rating and load capacity too! |
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New User
Posts: 2
| Just wanted to let you know that in my experience I've found that overloading and under inflation are the BIGGEST causes for blowouts. It's important that you make sure that both your tire and rims are rated for the same PSI. What are your rims rated for? If they're lower then eventually down the road your rims are going to crack. I've been running 19.5 tire and wheels from Boar Wheel for the last two years and couldn't be happier. They are both rated for 110 PSI. They have a higher speed rating and load capacity too! |
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Member
Posts: 6
Location: mooresville | your right on i had the same problem but my tires had 80 # and still blew but they were made by blowmax no i mean tow max
KEEP 80 # in them. |
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Location: Wentzville, MO | ST (special trailer) tires use a stiffer sidewall to deal better with the vertical load found in a trailering situation.
ST tires should always be kept at the max pressure listed on the tire sidewall.
Excessive heat build-up is the number one detriment to tire life. You can reduce heat build-up and maximize the life of your tires by:
-Keeping tires properly inflated
-Not exceeding the tire's combined load capacity
-Not exceeding the tire's speed rating (65 mph unless tire sidewall states differently)
-Protecting tire from UV rays during storage
For more information about trailer tires, use the link below:
https://www.etrailer.com/expert-47.html |
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Recommended PSI
