mowermech wrote: Somewhere on your trailer, there is a data plate that gives the recommended tire size, load rating, and tire pressure, as well as the maximum GVW of the trailer.
Personally, I would use THAT recommended pressure. Yes, you can inflate to the max pressure shown on the tire, if you don't mind your tread wearing out in the center. Having tires over inflated also lessens available traction, due to the reduced footprint.
Once again, it is all about preference. I prefer for my tires to last the way they were designed to.
I don't suppose you would consider airing your tires according to the actual load you are expecting them to carry???....Brian
Certainly, the tire pressure should be adequate for the load. THAT is why I use the pressure recommended by the trailer (or truck) manufacturer for the max GVW of the trailer (or truck). Actually, that pressure might be too much, so I adjust the pressure to get a flat tread pattern. If the edges of the tread are not touching the road surface, the pressure is TOO HIGH, period!
The pressure stated on the tire sidewall is for MAXIMUM RATED TIRE LOAD! Are you REALLY loaded that heavily, ALL the time?
I simply do not believe any tire on a heavy fifth wheel becomes rounded (not flat on the pavement) if inflated to the maximum pressure listed on the sidewall! Also, I think most (by far) fifth wheel tires need replacing due to age rather than wear.
1992 Avion 35.5 5th Wheel
2006 F-350 King Ranch
6 liter PSD Torqshift Tow Command
mowermech wrote: Somewhere on your trailer, there is a data plate that gives the recommended tire size, load rating, and tire pressure, as well as the maximum GVW of the trailer.
Personally, I would use THAT recommended pressure. Yes, you can inflate to the max pressure shown on the tire, if you don't mind your tread wearing out in the center. Having tires over inflated also lessens available traction, due to the reduced footprint.
Once again, it is all about preference. I prefer for my tires to last the way they were designed to.
I don't suppose you would consider airing your tires according to the actual load you are expecting them to carry???....Brian
Nowhere on my trailer or TV does it say to vary pressure with load. Considering the tens of pages in the TV manual about all other kinds of safety hazards (and the liability), I think they would mention it somewhere...don't you?
Tyres are not designed to operate normally at the pressure stamped on the side wall...that is a MAXIMUM. If I am wrong, is there a tyre engineer here who can put me straight?
I believe the OP question came about due to using tyres not origionally supplied with the Trailer, and so maybe in some doubt as to the validity of the sticker/posted recommended pressures. Seems a fair question, and sarcasm does not help..IMHO
jlnix wrote: I simply do not believe any tire on a heavy fifth wheel becomes rounded (not flat on the pavement) if inflated to the maximum pressure listed on the sidewall! Also, I think most (by far) fifth wheel tires need replacing due to age rather than wear.
correct. Trailers that size need max sidewall pressure for that E load range tire and the tire will not wear the centers. I use max in all my implement/utility trailers which get lots of no load/max loads runs at legal 75 mph on the interstate. My 11200 GVWR 5er has E rated tires that have over 20k, installed in "00, and have used 80 psi from day one with no worn centers. Empty flat deck trailers that have lots of no load use and the rear of a empty truck may have center wear issues with max sidewall pressures but certainly not a trailer that size and weight and the wheels width is correct for the tire.
Jim
'03 2500 Dodge/Cummins HO 3.73 6 speed manual Jacobs
'97 Park Avanue 28' with two slides
Tony...
I happen to think you should both quit looking in your TV or FW for proper inflation data. After all, does the label in your TV say anything about 80???? Nor does your tire say maximum....it is minimum inflation pressure required to carry the stated load. That is exactly why I suggest you start using the tire manufacturers load/inflation tables for the complete and correct information. Your response has only further proven my point...Thanks.....Brian
mowermech wrote: Somewhere on your trailer, there is a data plate that gives the recommended tire size, load rating, and tire pressure, as well as the maximum GVW of the trailer.
Personally, I would use THAT recommended pressure. Yes, you can inflate to the max pressure shown on the tire, if you don't mind your tread wearing out in the center. Having tires over inflated also lessens available traction, due to the reduced footprint.
Once again, it is all about preference. I prefer for my tires to last the way they were designed to.
A tire inflated to the maximum pressure on the sidewall is not over inflated & will not wear out the center of the tire.
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