I'm embarrased that I do not know this, but I'm a relative newby, going on our 3rd outting this weekend.
I can't figure out the recommended tire pressure. Quite honestly I get confused with this on my vehicle too!
On one area on the tire is the text: "Max Load xxxlbs at 50 psi Cold".
Another area says:
"When mounting something-something beads are seated
inflation over 32lbs can cause a fatal explosion
in service use pressure recommended by vehicle manufacturer
underinflation or overloading can cause blow-out"
- Should it be 50psi? I was looking for something more obvious such as "hey dummy, inflate this tire to xxx psi".
- Is the part about 32 stating some kind of instructions to an installer?
I want to make sure I get it right, I'll be towing with the wife and 2yo for the first time. Precious cargo! Much thanks.
Quote from: mklawzI'm embarrased that I do not know this, but I'm a relative newby, going on our 3rd outting this weekend.
I can't figure out the recommended tire pressure. Quite honestly I get confused with this on my vehicle too!
On one area on the tire is the text: "Max Load xxxlbs at 50 psi Cold".
Another area says:
"When mounting something-something beads are seated
inflation over 32lbs can cause a fatal explosion
in service use pressure recommended by vehicle manufacturer
underinflation or overloading can cause blow-out"
- Should it be 50psi? I was looking for something more obvious such as "hey dummy, inflate this tire to xxx psi".
- Is the part about 32 stating some kind of instructions to an installer?
I want to make sure I get it right, I'll be towing with the wife and 2yo for the first time. Precious cargo! Much thanks.
Exactly what it says, "Max Load xxxlbs at
50 psi Cold"
:sombraro:
Just a little expansion on Waverly's answer.....
Use 50 psi. The 32 psi is like you thought for the installer. The tires are only capable of carrying the max load when inflated to 50 psi. I'm just guesing you don't know the exact weight of your PUP fully loaded. Don't worry, I don't know the weight of mine either. My point is, at 50 psi you can be assured the tires can handle the load. This assumes you are under the maximum loaded weight of your PUP. If you have questions about that, ask away and we'll address those in turn.
The lower the air pressure, the more of the tire contacts the roadway. Worse case scenario, side wall starts contacting roadway. That builds up tremedous heat very quickly. That leads to catastrophic tire failure, i.e. blowout. Keeping tires inflated to proper pressure is critical to avoiding blowouts. It also is important for good tire wear as well as helping the trailer track properly behind your TV.
travis
The only time I would suggest using less than full pressure would be if you know your trailer is way under the rated weight of the tires, and you experience severe bouncing of the trailer (like a basketball) when you tow. Then, and only then, could you try dropping the pressire in small (less than 5 PSI) increments until the bouncing is manageable (NOT until it goes away).
Austin
So you're saying go 50 as well? Thanks everyone. Like I said, I've always been confused on this, even with my cars!
Quote from: AustinBostonThe only time I would suggest using less than full pressure would be if you know your trailer is way under the rated weight of the tires, and you experience severe bouncing of the trailer (like a basketball) when you tow. Then, and only then, could you try dropping the pressire in small (less than 5 PSI) increments until the bouncing is manageable (NOT until it goes away).
Austin
Quote from: mklawzSo you're saying go 50 as well? Thanks everyone. Like I said, I've always been confused on this, even with my cars!
Cars are not trailers, and may run at a pressure lower than the maximum, but will be specified by the vehicle manufacturer.
Austin
On your car or truck, there will be a sticker on the drivers side door that has the recommended size tire and air-pressure for that tire on that vehicle.
I'm guessing that the pressure is for "normal" conditions. When trailering, you would increase the pressure in the tow vehicles rear tires to make adjustment for the extra weight.
But NEVER go over the maximum cold pressure that is printed on the tire's sidewall.
Happy camping!
Bob
Quote from: CAPEd CODgerBut NEVER go over the maximum cold pressure that is printed on the tire's sidewall.
For the camper/trailer too or just the tow vehicle?
Quote from: mklawzFor the camper/trailer too or just the tow vehicle?
For ANY tire.
Quote from: mklawzFor the camper/trailer too or just the tow vehicle?
Camper, trailer, tow vehicle, bicycle, motorcycle, lawn tractor, wheelbarrow...
Austin
Quote from: abbearFor ANY tire.
Oh...duh. I see now that it says OVER the max pressure. At first reading I read 'never inflate TO..."
Well I think I'm going to get a new pair of tire anyway. I spotted a little rot on one of the tires, and realized that I really dont even know how old the tires are (just bought the camper last year) so I thought it would be worth the money for new ones. Going in first thing in the morning.
Quote from: AustinBostonCamper, trailer, tow vehicle, bicycle, motorcycle, lawn tractor, wheelbarrow...
Austin
And basketballs. Being young and stupid once...( yeah now i'm just older)
all the kids in the neighborhhod pooled our monies and bought a new Wilson basket ball. Knew about the needle to inflalte it but had no idea about what to inflate to. Remeber real he men don't read instructions. General consensus was it couldn't be much different than our bicycle tires. So we pumped this thing up to about around 30psi at the local gas station with the bubble type inflater. On the first attempt at dribbling this thing explodes like a bomb. It was loud. Cleared everybody off the court, our ears are ringing and there's little pieces of orange rubber floating in the wind. Found a piece that said Max Press 6 psi. That's when we decided white kids didn't know crap about basketball and we decided to play softball instead.
Quote from: Nemesis56And basketballs. Being young and stupid once...( yeah now i'm just older)
all the kids in the neighborhhod pooled our monies and bought a new Wilson basket ball. Knew about the needle to inflalte it but had no idea about what to inflate to. Remeber real he men don't read instructions. General consensus was it couldn't be much different than our bicycle tires. So we pumped this thing up to about around 30psi at the local gas station with the bubble type inflater. On the first attempt at dribbling this thing explodes like a bomb. It was loud. Cleared everybody off the court, our ears are ringing and there's little pieces of orange rubber floating in the wind. Found a piece that said Max Press 6 psi. That's when we decided white kids didn't know crap about basketball and we decided to play softball instead.
This was just too funny! Had a great laugh. Thanks.
Ya........we can't jump either. Gotta good belly laugh outa that one. :J
Thanks for this thread. I'm embarresed to admit it too but I couldnt find the simple answer to the tire pressure question either.
We're getting ready to go out next week for our 2nd ever trip. Im going down my checklist and I want to make sure about the tires.
Thanks
Quote from: BraumaThanks for this thread. I'm embarresed to admit it too but I couldnt find the simple answer to the tire pressure question either.
We're getting ready to go out next week for our 2nd ever trip. Im going down my checklist and I want to make sure about the tires.
Thanks
Trust you found your tire air pressure information(?) Just in case maybe your still a little in the dark, to achieve max carrying capacity of the tire it has to be inflated to the max psi posted on the side of the tire. I carry max inflation on my Starcraft (80 psi) at all times. That's uphill, downhill, with the wind, against the wind, up on top of the mountain, down in the valley, in the city, on the highway, in the summer, in the winter, fully loaded trailer, no load aboard ... failure to do so means that the tire when under inflated will flex too much and create excessive heat which will in turn cause the tire to fail, i.e., blow out! And don't be concerned about the tire heating up during the summer. The tire folks already took that into consideration. Since your Starcraft came with Carlisle Tires (all Starcrafts do and have done so for years), here's a chart you can use to determine your correct (cold) air pressure ~
http://www.carlisletire.com/products/trailer/usa_trail/index.htmlHere's another site that may have some useful information regarding tires and wheels, to help you out on your upcoming trip ~
http://www.easternmarine.com/em_store/tech_info/trailertires_tech_info.htmlRemember ... keep your powder dry (isn't that what they use to say?) AND, keep your trailer tires inflated to the stated (max) psi on the sidewall of the tire!
Good luck!
Fly
Interesting info from Goodyear about the Marathon tires
I posted more good info here
http://www.arveeclub.com/showthread.php?t=58560 (//%22http://www.arveeclub.com/showthread.php?t=58560%22)
ST tires are rated for 65MPH
For the Godoyear Marathon ST tires, they recommend increasing air pressure 10 PSI ABOVE the sidewall rating for speeds from 66-75MPH.
They also stress to make sure the rim can handle the extra pressure.
Source
http://www.goodyear.com/rv/pdf/marathon_gen_info_032806.pdf (//%22http://www.goodyear.com/rv/pdf/marathon_gen_info_032806.pdf%22)
Excerpt:
_________________________________________________________________
"Industry standards dictate that tires with the ST designation are speed restricted to 65 MPH under normal inflation and load conditions unless a different speed restriction is indicated on the sidewall of the tire."
" Based on industry standards, if tires with the ST designation are used at speeds between 66 and 75 mph, it is necessary to increase the cold inflation pressures by 10 psi above the recommended pressure for the load.
o Do not exceed the maximum pressure for the wheel.
o If the maximum pressure for the wheel prohibits the increase of air pressure, then the maximum speed must be restricted to 65 mph.
o The cold inflation pressure must not exceed 10 psi beyond the inflation specified for the maximum load of the tire."
__________________________________________________________
And note that that applies ONLY to Goodyear tires. Just like you wouldn't use recommendations from Ford on a General Motors vehicle, you should not use recommendations from one tire manufacturer on another brands tires.
Thanks for the info. I have this written on my HiWay Master tires, made in Indonesia: Max weight 1045 lb 80 PSI cold.
First of all, all of my tire pressure gages go to 60 psi max. I guess I need to buy new tire press gages.
Second, my Starcraft Constellation weighs 1800 lb empty. Am I already exceeding the max weight rating of the tires of do you divide the 1800 lb's in half?
I think I may be buying new tires because of some bad inside wear on my left side tire. I'll post pics later. Looks like Goodyear ST tires are recommended here. What should I expect to pay for good new tires?
Quote from: BraumaThanks for the info. I have this written on my HiWay Master tires, made in Indonesia: Max weight 1045 lb 80 PSI cold.
First of all, all of my tire pressure gages go to 60 psi max. I guess I need to buy new tire press gages.
Second, my Starcraft Constellation weighs 1800 lb empty. Am I already exceeding the max weight rating of the tires of do you divide the 1800 lb's in half?
I think I may be buying new tires because of some bad inside wear on my left side tire. I'll post pics later. Looks like Goodyear ST tires are recommended here. What should I expect to pay for good new tires?
The weight posted on each tire is its maximum weight per tire. In other words, if a tire has 800# capacity, two tires would have 1600 pound capacity (as long as neither tire exceeds 800#, as in the case of one tire supporting 900# and the other 700#).
Larry
Quote from: BraumaThanks for the info. I have this written on my HiWay Master tires, made in Indonesia: Max weight 1045 lb 80 PSI cold.
First of all, all of my tire pressure gages go to 60 psi max. I guess I need to buy new tire press gages.
No automotive gauge I've seen goes above 60 PSI. (The little pencil ones are not particularly accurate.) If you can't find anything, check in a truck stop or a bicycle shop.
QuoteSecond, my Starcraft Constellation weighs 1800 lb empty. Am I already exceeding the max weight rating of the tires of do you divide the 1800 lb's in half?
First, it is loaded weight that is important, not empty weight. Second, subtract the tongue weight from that. Then, divide by two. That is how much weight is on the tire, and the tire's weight rating has to equal or exceed that.
This is another good reason to get your setup weighed. Most scales (including all truck scales) can give you a weight per axle. This kind of reading even makes up for the unknowns of a weight distributing hitch.
Austin
Quote from: BraumaFirst of all, all of my tire pressure gages go to 60 psi max. I guess I need to buy new tire press gages.
My truck takes 80PSI and I bought a digital gauge from Walmart for around $9 with a carrying case. The other problem you will find is that availability of 80PSI at self serve air compressors. I stop at a regular garage that has a large compressor and free air. Most of the coin operated ones that I have found don't go that high.
I would look for a tire that will carry the load with a lower pressure requirement.
I was out yesterday with the PU in tow trying to air up my tires. I went to a gas station and the darn air hose wasn't working properly and was actually deflating my tire! And that cost me 50 cents! So I go to another and after backing up the PU I find the hose has been cut. I'm so fed up with it all I went and bought a small air compressor. Took it home and put air in every single tire I have: PU, TV, Bicycles.
My tires on the PU were under inflated 10 lbs. I think this was making it a little harder to pull.
Quote from: DrayI was out yesterday with the PU in tow trying to air up my tires. I went to a gas station and the darn air hose wasn't working properly and was actually deflating my tire! And that cost me 50 cents! So I go to another and after backing up the PU I find the hose has been cut. I'm so fed up with it all I went and bought a small air compressor. Took it home and put air in every single tire I have: PU, TV, Bicycles.
My tires on the PU were under inflated 10 lbs. I think this was making it a little harder to pull.
I picked up one of those 12V inflaters (plugs into the cigarette lighter) at Wally-Marts (brand name of "Campbell/Hausfield") some time ago and that's what I use for topping off my 12" PU tires (80psi). That little bugger has saved the day many a time, not only for the PU tires but also have turned up a slow leak for the TV every now and again. I know the thing cost under $20.00 and I've long ago got my money's worth!
To go along with the inflater, got one of those round tire gauges that reads up to 150psi. What I like about it is that it has a short piece of hose that connects to the valve stem, so you hold the gauge in one hand, connect to the valve stem with the other and whatever it reads out, stays at that mark until you press a little button on the side of it that releases the captured air inside and returns to a zero reading.
Fly