Trailer Tire PSI ?

Abbeysdad · 07-20-09, 08:57 AM

Do you maintain your trailer tire pressures at the MAX PSI (cold) that's stamped on the tire?

I guess the answer is yes.
http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/inf...rTireFacts.dos

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.

nofearengineer · 07-20-09, 10:28 AM

I have heard to always inflate your tires to the maximum printed on the tire.

"Cold" obviously means after sitting for a while undriven. If you do not have an air compressor in your home garage, just meaure your tire pressure before you tow it to the gas station for air. If it's 45 psi, when it should be 50 (5 psi difference), measure it once you get to the gas station and either add 5 psi to what it is now reading hot, or take it to the max "hot" pressure listed on the tire (if it is listed). Either way, you will not exceed your hot or cold pressure rating.

The most important rule is...always check your tire pressure before you tow your trailer!

(Oh yeah...and get a proper spare, nofear

)

Abbeysdad · 07-20-09, 11:02 AM

Oh yea, I just got and mounted a spare. But when I was checking pressure yesterday, I discovered that I don't like the look of one of the tires - it's showing early signs of dry rot sidewall cracking. Jeez

nofearengineer · 07-20-09, 11:24 AM

You need to ask Woody about tire bulge LOL.

I should post a picture of his poor trailer tire that was chirping his trailer fender...it was a monstrosity.

BigBassin144 · 07-20-09, 11:28 AM

I don't if trailer tires are like car tires, but if they are, then you probably shouldn't inflate them to max PSI. Like on your car, your tires give the max psi, but the best psi is provided by the car manufacturer. You can normally find this on the sticker on the end of your door when it's open or in your owner's manual.

but like I said, I don't know if trailer tires are like this or if they should be inflated to max PSI.

BB

jmartin · 07-20-09, 11:50 AM

If your trailer has a 5000 pound GVW and your Tires carry carry 2500 pounds apiece @ 50 PSI then you need to run 50 PSI to carry your load, however if your trailer weight is only 3500 pounds and you are still running the same tire then you can get by with lower PSI. 40-45 and still be alright, because running maximum pressure and not carrying the load then you will were out your centers.

Jerry

zooker · 07-20-09, 03:38 PM

actually max psi in the trailer radials..ya ever wonder why trailer tires are never balanced? here let me show you..

most trailer axels have no camber so your tires actually sit on a 4* rake..

think this \-/ the reason the INSIDE of the tire is the part that you need to check.

zooker

Abbeysdad · 07-20-09, 03:44 PM

Trailer tires are not balanced? Is that correct? (Newbie)

zooker · 07-20-09, 03:50 PM

nope it would be a waste of money..my tire guy told me that

zooker

Abbeysdad · 07-20-09, 04:19 PM

I dunno Zooker - I just did some quick research here on the web and the general consensus is that trailer tires SHOULD be balanced to reduce the vibration and excessive wear on tires, bearings and even the load - even though 'we' might not feel it way up front.
?????

Abbeysdad · 07-21-09, 09:43 AM

Then again, new boats come with brand new trailers and I don't see signs any balance weights - what's that tell us. I looked over my trailer owners manual and all the stuff about trailer buddy bearings, etc. and don't see a single word about balancing. They do recommend the PSI as stamped on the tire... which brings us back to MAX PSI COLD.
Does MAX = OPTIMUM?

jmartin · 07-21-09, 12:14 PM

The reason trailers come new from factory without balanced tires is this. It costs money to balance tires, you can have a guy sitting in a plant with a machine spinning tires on rim and inflating them, but if you had to balance them it would cost companies much more time, labor and slow down the hole process. Whenever I buy a trailer for my business they most always come with Bias tires, the first thing I do is replace them with Carlisle radial tires and balance them it does make a world of differance between balanced and unbalanced especially on a empty trailer. As far as Max air pressure it comes down to what kinda weight you are carrying on your trailer and what max cold air pressure your tire calls for. Another reason for Radial tires they do not get flat spots on them from setting a bias tire does. Reason being, Radial Tires flex in sidewall and bias tires have there flex in tread so whenever tire comes around on the bottom flexed up I^I that is how you get flat spots on the bottom from setting around. A radial tire flexes on sidewall (_) and you dont get flat spots from storage.

Jerry

Abbeysdad · 07-21-09, 01:10 PM

I think I have to disagree - in the overall cost of manufacturing trailers, balancing tires would seem nearly negligible and since over many other features has a positive impact on product quality, should be very important. Imagine being able to claim that the highly tuned suspension results in less wear and longer (tire/bearing) life.....maybe I'm just dreaming.

So if my ST205/75D14 Load Star (high speed bias ply trailer) tires are each rated for 1760# making a total capacity of 3520# and my boat (900#), Motor (300#) and trailer (875#) is 2075#, one could say I could/should back of the MAX COLD PSI of 50 PSI to say 45 PSI ???....or do we just run at 50 PSI regardless of applied load.

jmartin · 07-21-09, 02:09 PM

[QUOTE=Abbeysdad;259323]I think I have to disagree - in the overall cost of manufacturing trailers, balancing tires would seem nearly negligible and since over many other features has a positive impact on product quality, should be very important. Imagine being able to claim that the highly tuned suspension results in less wear and longer (tire/bearing) life.....maybe I'm just dreaming.QUOTE]

The manufactor does not mount or balance there tires. My expierance in retail sales is they buy there tires and wheels already mounted, that is why cost is a factor. A Coats balancer starts at 3500.00 plus the Tech to run it, and I doubt if a company that buys pallet loads of tires off Carlisle, STC or Goodyear cannot justify the cost of Having one. It also does not affect quality of the product because everyone knows that if they buy a Stratos, Ranger or what have ya. the fact that the tires are not balanced has nothing to do with the quality of the boat.

Jerry

Abbeysdad · 07-21-09, 04:49 PM

Doesn't matter what we think - it's not the cost as this would just be a few dollars and passed on to the consumer - for whatever reasons, the trailer manufacturers obviously don't believe balancing is required.

nofearengineer · 07-21-09, 04:58 PM

Well, they don't think it's required because nobody's riding in the boat when it's on the trailer (at least they shouldn't be...dumb rednecks

). Nobody to complain about the vibration = no need. I'd be willing to bet any increased wear due to the unbalanced tires is minimal too.

Abbeysdad · 07-23-09, 04:56 PM

So I pick up my new tire and ask my boat dealer...."what's the verdict on balancing [boat] trailer tires - "never done it, don't see a need... none of the manufacturers do it...
contact EZ Loader and see what they say".
hmmm.

Abbeysdad · 07-24-09, 08:49 AM

So I put the question to EZ Loader:

I just purchased a like new used boat on an EZ Loader bunk trailer. I am replacing tires as one shows early signs (cracking) of dry rot.
Should [boat] trailer tires be balanced??? Few seem to do it, but it would seem to make for less vibration resulting in less wear on tires, bearings and load.
Your response appreciated.
Thank-you.

The response:

Although it is not necessary to balance tires for boat trailers, it doesn't hurt to do so. It will probably reduce vibrations and possibly reduce wear to balance the tires. Most manufacturers do not do this due to the tires getting unbalanced during shipping or delivery.

Sincerely,
Larry Barker
EZ Loader Custom Division

footnote: Don't new cars have tires balanced that don't seem to get unbalanced during shipping/delivery?

07-20-09, 08:57 AM	#1
Abbeysdad BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Central NY - Finger Lakes Posts: 1,307	Trailer Tire PSI ? Do you maintain your trailer tire pressures at the MAX PSI (cold) that's stamped on the tire? I guess the answer is yes. http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/inf...rTireFacts.dos 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. Last edited by Abbeysdad; 07-20-09 at 10:24 AM.

07-20-09, 10:28 AM	#2
nofearengineer BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southwest IN Posts: 5,630	I have heard to always inflate your tires to the maximum printed on the tire. "Cold" obviously means after sitting for a while undriven. If you do not have an air compressor in your home garage, just meaure your tire pressure before you tow it to the gas station for air. If it's 45 psi, when it should be 50 (5 psi difference), measure it once you get to the gas station and either add 5 psi to what it is now reading hot, or take it to the max "hot" pressure listed on the tire (if it is listed). Either way, you will not exceed your hot or cold pressure rating. The most important rule is...always check your tire pressure before you tow your trailer! (Oh yeah...and get a proper spare, nofear ) __________________ Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing it is not fish they are after.

07-20-09, 11:24 AM	#4
nofearengineer BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southwest IN Posts: 5,630	You need to ask Woody about tire bulge LOL. I should post a picture of his poor trailer tire that was chirping his trailer fender...it was a monstrosity. __________________ Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing it is not fish they are after.

07-20-09, 11:28 AM	#5
BigBassin144 BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toledo, Ohio Posts: 9,463	I don't if trailer tires are like car tires, but if they are, then you probably shouldn't inflate them to max PSI. Like on your car, your tires give the max psi, but the best psi is provided by the car manufacturer. You can normally find this on the sticker on the end of your door when it's open or in your owner's manual. but like I said, I don't know if trailer tires are like this or if they should be inflated to max PSI. BB __________________ As of June 14, 2014 the members of the BF.com forum have moved to basschat.yuku.com!

07-20-09, 11:50 AM	#6
jmartin BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Bridgewater Va Posts: 304	If your trailer has a 5000 pound GVW and your Tires carry carry 2500 pounds apiece @ 50 PSI then you need to run 50 PSI to carry your load, however if your trailer weight is only 3500 pounds and you are still running the same tire then you can get by with lower PSI. 40-45 and still be alright, because running maximum pressure and not carrying the load then you will were out your centers. Jerry __________________ "Body Piercing by Springfield"

07-20-09, 11:02 AM	#3
Abbeysdad BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Central NY - Finger Lakes Posts: 1,307	Oh yea, I just got and mounted a spare. But when I was checking pressure yesterday, I discovered that I don't like the look of one of the tires - it's showing early signs of dry rot sidewall cracking. Jeez

07-20-09, 03:38 PM	#7
zooker BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: denton nc Posts: 13,441	actually max psi in the trailer radials..ya ever wonder why trailer tires are never balanced? here let me show you.. most trailer axels have no camber so your tires actually sit on a 4* rake.. think this \-/ the reason the INSIDE of the tire is the part that you need to check. zooker __________________ the godfather.. aml in remission since 7-20-09

07-20-09, 03:44 PM	#8
Abbeysdad BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Central NY - Finger Lakes Posts: 1,307	Trailer tires are not balanced? Is that correct? (Newbie)

07-20-09, 03:50 PM	#9
zooker BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: denton nc Posts: 13,441	nope it would be a waste of money..my tire guy told me that zooker __________________ the godfather.. aml in remission since 7-20-09

07-20-09, 04:19 PM	#10
Abbeysdad BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Central NY - Finger Lakes Posts: 1,307	I dunno Zooker - I just did some quick research here on the web and the general consensus is that trailer tires SHOULD be balanced to reduce the vibration and excessive wear on tires, bearings and even the load - even though 'we' might not feel it way up front. ?????

07-21-09, 09:43 AM	#11
Abbeysdad BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Central NY - Finger Lakes Posts: 1,307	Then again, new boats come with brand new trailers and I don't see signs any balance weights - what's that tell us. I looked over my trailer owners manual and all the stuff about trailer buddy bearings, etc. and don't see a single word about balancing. They do recommend the PSI as stamped on the tire... which brings us back to MAX PSI COLD. Does MAX = OPTIMUM?

07-21-09, 12:14 PM	#12
jmartin BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Bridgewater Va Posts: 304	The reason trailers come new from factory without balanced tires is this. It costs money to balance tires, you can have a guy sitting in a plant with a machine spinning tires on rim and inflating them, but if you had to balance them it would cost companies much more time, labor and slow down the hole process. Whenever I buy a trailer for my business they most always come with Bias tires, the first thing I do is replace them with Carlisle radial tires and balance them it does make a world of differance between balanced and unbalanced especially on a empty trailer. As far as Max air pressure it comes down to what kinda weight you are carrying on your trailer and what max cold air pressure your tire calls for. Another reason for Radial tires they do not get flat spots on them from setting a bias tire does. Reason being, Radial Tires flex in sidewall and bias tires have there flex in tread so whenever tire comes around on the bottom flexed up I^I that is how you get flat spots on the bottom from setting around. A radial tire flexes on sidewall (_) and you dont get flat spots from storage. Jerry __________________ "Body Piercing by Springfield"

07-21-09, 01:10 PM	#13
Abbeysdad BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Central NY - Finger Lakes Posts: 1,307	I think I have to disagree - in the overall cost of manufacturing trailers, balancing tires would seem nearly negligible and since over many other features has a positive impact on product quality, should be very important. Imagine being able to claim that the highly tuned suspension results in less wear and longer (tire/bearing) life.....maybe I'm just dreaming. So if my ST205/75D14 Load Star (high speed bias ply trailer) tires are each rated for 1760# making a total capacity of 3520# and my boat (900#), Motor (300#) and trailer (875#) is 2075#, one could say I could/should back of the MAX COLD PSI of 50 PSI to say 45 PSI ???....or do we just run at 50 PSI regardless of applied load.

07-21-09, 02:09 PM	#14
jmartin BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Bridgewater Va Posts: 304	[QUOTE=Abbeysdad;259323]I think I have to disagree - in the overall cost of manufacturing trailers, balancing tires would seem nearly negligible and since over many other features has a positive impact on product quality, should be very important. Imagine being able to claim that the highly tuned suspension results in less wear and longer (tire/bearing) life.....maybe I'm just dreaming.QUOTE] The manufactor does not mount or balance there tires. My expierance in retail sales is they buy there tires and wheels already mounted, that is why cost is a factor. A Coats balancer starts at 3500.00 plus the Tech to run it, and I doubt if a company that buys pallet loads of tires off Carlisle, STC or Goodyear cannot justify the cost of Having one. It also does not affect quality of the product because everyone knows that if they buy a Stratos, Ranger or what have ya. the fact that the tires are not balanced has nothing to do with the quality of the boat. Jerry __________________ "Body Piercing by Springfield"

07-21-09, 04:49 PM	#15
Abbeysdad BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Central NY - Finger Lakes Posts: 1,307	Doesn't matter what we think - it's not the cost as this would just be a few dollars and passed on to the consumer - for whatever reasons, the trailer manufacturers obviously don't believe balancing is required.

07-21-09, 04:58 PM	#16
nofearengineer BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southwest IN Posts: 5,630	Well, they don't think it's required because nobody's riding in the boat when it's on the trailer (at least they shouldn't be...dumb rednecks ). Nobody to complain about the vibration = no need. I'd be willing to bet any increased wear due to the unbalanced tires is minimal too. __________________ Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing it is not fish they are after.

07-23-09, 04:56 PM	#17
Abbeysdad BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Central NY - Finger Lakes Posts: 1,307	So I pick up my new tire and ask my boat dealer...."what's the verdict on balancing [boat] trailer tires - "never done it, don't see a need... none of the manufacturers do it... contact EZ Loader and see what they say". hmmm.

07-24-09, 08:49 AM	#18
Abbeysdad BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Central NY - Finger Lakes Posts: 1,307	So I put the question to EZ Loader: I just purchased a like new used boat on an EZ Loader bunk trailer. I am replacing tires as one shows early signs (cracking) of dry rot. Should [boat] trailer tires be balanced??? Few seem to do it, but it would seem to make for less vibration resulting in less wear on tires, bearings and load. Your response appreciated. Thank-you. The response: Although it is not necessary to balance tires for boat trailers, it doesn't hurt to do so. It will probably reduce vibrations and possibly reduce wear to balance the tires. Most manufacturers do not do this due to the tires getting unbalanced during shipping or delivery. Sincerely, Larry Barker EZ Loader Custom Division footnote: Don't new cars have tires balanced that don't seem to get unbalanced during shipping/delivery? Last edited by Abbeysdad; 07-24-09 at 09:02 AM.

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