Tire Pressure

[flyfisherman]

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

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.html


Here'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.html

Remember ... 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

[chasd60]

Interesting info from Goodyear about the Marathon tires
I posted more good info here
http://www.arveeclub.com/showthread.php?t=58560
 
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
 
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."
__________________________________________________________

[mike4947]

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.

[Brauma]

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?

[brainpause]

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?

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

[AustinBoston]

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.

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.

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?

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

[chasd60]

First 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.

[Dray]

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.

[flyfisherman]

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.

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