Tire pressure ???

[M Baxter]

We are heading out this weekend. I just noticed I have two different tires on my pop up. One says 60 max psi the other is 90 psi. They are the same size tires just different brands. Should I go with 60 in both. It is a 97 Palamino pulled by a Ford Ranger. Pulling about 55 miles. Any help appreciated. Thanks MB

[wavery]

We are heading out this weekend. I just noticed I have two different tires on my pop up. One says 60 max psi the other is 90 psi. They are the same size tires just different brands. Should I go with 60 in both. It is a 97 Palamino pulled by a Ford Ranger. Pulling about 55 miles. Any help appreciated. Thanks MB

It would be best to correct the problem by having 2 tires that require the same pressure.

That being said, if I were faced with the same problem and timing, I would put the correct pressure in each tire then keep the speed down.

The tire pressure in trailer tires is designed to hold the side walls off of the pavement. By under-inflating the one tire, you are risking a blow-out IMHO.

[M Baxter]

I was worried it would pull funny with 90 in one and 60 in the other. The road Im going on is 55 MPH so hopefully it will be ok. Has any one else faced this problem? Waverly thanks for the info. MB

[wavery]

I was worried it would pull funny with 90 in one and 60 in the other. The road Im going on is 55 MPH so hopefully it will be ok. Has any one else faced this problem? Waverly thanks for the info. MB

I doubt that you will notice a difference in towing at 55-60. If you notice any swaying (which I doubt), slow down .

If you ran that 90# tire at 60# you probably would notice a difference while towing. Basically, those tires are as hard as a rock when fully inflated.

[AustinBoston]

I was worried it would pull funny with 90 in one and 60 in the other. The road Im going on is 55 MPH so hopefully it will be ok. Has any one else faced this problem? Waverly thanks for the info. MB

You are a lot more likely to notice a difference with one tire at full pressure and the other underinflated.  If at first you you don't, you will soon enough, and you won't be happy.

IMNSHO, the best way to fix this is to change one (or both) of the tires so they are the same.  Using whatever random tire you can scrounge up may be acceptable for an around-town utility trailer, but for a trailer on the highway, you want the right tires for the job.

Austin

[flyfisherman]

We are heading out this weekend. I just noticed I have two different tires on my pop up. One says 60 max psi the other is 90 psi. They are the same size tires just different brands. Should I go with 60 in both. It is a 97 Palamino pulled by a Ford Ranger. Pulling about 55 miles. Any help appreciated. Thanks MB

Tire brands should not make a difference, what makes a whole BIG difference is the LOAD RANGE rating of the tires. You did'nt list the size of the tire so I'm going to make a wild guess ... is the tire size 4.80 X 12"?   In the particular case of this size trailer tire the 4.80 X 12" (Load Range "B") tire requires 60 psi and at that pressure is rated to carry 780 lbs. ~ the 4.80 X 12" (Load Range "C") tire requires 90 psi to carry a load of 990 lbs.

What you need is two tires the same size AND the same load range carrying capacity. Different manufactures are not as important. I personally like having the same manufacture tires, however, there have been times when I did not but all went well anyway.

The top reason for trailer tire failure is under inflation. Second on the list is tire  overloading. Having a tire not up to load capacity, i.e., using a load range "B" where it calls for a load range "C",  is asking for trouble.

The load range ratings are on the tire sidewall.




Fly

[M Baxter]

Fly you are correct. One is a B the other is a C. The tire size is 4.80X12. Man I am statring to get worried now. I took the spare off and it is brand new and callsfor 90 PSI. The only problem is the wheel is bigger than the two on the camper. Ive never had it off until today. I guess Ill have to call in sick tommorow and figure it out. Thanks so far. MB

[flyfisherman]

Fly you are correct. One is a B the other is a C. The tire size is 4.80X12. Man I am statring to get worried now. I took the spare off and it is brand new and callsfor 90 PSI. The only problem is the wheel is bigger than the two on the camper. Ive never had it off until today. I guess Ill have to call in sick tommorow and figure it out. Thanks so far. MB

This has been a not all that uncommon of an error when someone goes to replace a tire. Even tire shops get it buggered up ... a load range "B" will be sold and mounted where a load Range "C" is called for.

Is your camper per chance a Viking or Coachman?  Do you know it's base weight? And it's total weight carrying capacity (called  GVWR ... "gross vehicle weight rating")?

Finding a trailer tire that size ought not be that difficult ... just be sure it's a load range "C".


Fly

[M Baxter]

I just had a brilliant idea. Im going to take the spare and have it mounted on the wheel that has the 60 psi tire. The brands will still be different but they are both Cs and call for 90 PSI. Thanks again I can sleep better tonight. MB

[wavery]

I just had a brilliant idea. Im going to take the spare and have it mounted on the wheel that has the 60 psi tire. The brands will still be different but they are both Cs and call for 90 PSI. Thanks again I can sleep better tonight. MB

Be sure to check the "Max PSI" on the wheels too :eyecrazy: . I didn't even think about that :morning: . I know that my (13") wheels have "Max pressure 60#" stamped right on them. :yikes:

[austinado16]

I know you're only going 55mi one way, but you might consider the value of having 2 new tires and the peace of mind and safety for your family that comes with that value and compare that to the money you'll save potentially blowing a tire, possibly damaging or losing the camper or it's axle assembly.....and depending on how big of a tow rig you have, damaging or wrecking your rig.

Not trying to put the fear in you, but sometimes you have to play the tape forward and think......When this stupid $120 pair of unknown tires fail out on the road, in traffic, miles from nowhere, in the middle of my vacation trip, with my family on board......how much money am I gonna save?

[flyfisherman]

I took the spare off and it is brand new and callsfor 90 PSI. The only problem is the wheel is bigger than the two on the camper. Ive never had it off until today.  MB

Not quite following you here ... I don't understand how one wheel (tire rim?) can be larger ... can you explain this a little for me?

Also, this site may be of some reference help for you in the future.

http://www.easternmarine.com/em_store/tech_info/trailertires_tech_info.html



Fly

[M Baxter]

When I stand them against each other one is taller. The tires are the same so Im assuming one wheel is bigger. This is my first time on this site and it is VERY HELPFULL. I called in sick today and am getting ready to go th the tire place. Ill give an update when I get back. Thanks again MB

[flyfisherman]

Providing the rims are the same, i.e., all are 4-bolt hole rims, the difference in the height might be due to the spare tire being new plus maybe that tire manufacturer having a deeper tread design.

If that being the case, I would put the taller tire on the curb side of the camper in that most of the highways are crowned and the curb side of the road being lower.


Fly

[brainpause]

I had the same problem. Somehow, I got two tires of different load ranges, and thus different cold tire pressures.

I knew I'd get mixed up at some point, so I went ahead and fixed the problem, like others have advised. I bought two tires (extra for a spare) to match the higher load range. Felt better that way.

Larry