Travel Trailer PSI Set at Max?

Our travel trailer sticker shows 80 PSI as the set point for the 8K GVWR listed.

Each tire of the 4 shows max 2800 lbs. at 80 PSI. Does this mean that I’m supposed to have the trailer tires set at the max 80 PSI? Seems too much.. have it at 60 PSI currently

 

80psi as listed by manufacturer. Trailer tires are typically run at high pressures (often max listed on sidewall) to handle the loads they encounter. Seems normal to me.
Even those little utility trailer tires, 13 inchers typically need 50psi per trailer manufacturers. Use the PSI they recommend, going too low on a loaded trailer impacts handling, makes the tires heat to much and they can blowout.

 

I run mine at darn near max pressure. They run cooler. The only thing it hurts is the fine china when he hit potholes. We use paper plates.

 

In your case I'd say yes.

Underinflated tires create heat that in turn compromises the integrity of the tire.

2,800 lbs. X 4 = your 8K lb. GVWR plus a little buffer.

You can probably find the tire mfg's Load/Inflation table and see what it says but you want some buffer.

My trailer came with 50 psi max OEM tires which I ran @ 50 psi cold. When they aged out I replaced them with C range Goodyears one size bigger which are 65 psi max cold inflation.

Since my trailer didn't get any heavier I don't need that much load carrying capacity. I found the Goodyear endurance load chart.

I run them at 55 psi. which is more than enough. In my case, max inflation with the Goodyears would be needlessly harsh.

 

Agree with the fella above. Look up the load chart for your tires to see what air pressure is recommended.
In my case, I went to LRE Goodyear Endurance tires to replace the OEM LRD China-Bombs my trailer came with. Max inflation on new tires is 80#. That’s to carry the max load they can handle.

I’m well under max, and run 65#. They do not run hot (this is monitored via my TPMS system) and track beautifully. Tows like a whole different trailer.

 

"ST" tires or 'specialty trailer tires' are meant to be run at max air pressure. So, based on your trailer's placard, you should have ST tires on the trailer... IE>> ST225/75/15, etc.. and not a P225/75/15 or an LT225/75/15.

Because of the design of the ST tires, if they are run below max PSI you risk overheating them depending on the load, vehicle speed, weather and road temp conditions, etc.... Softer sidewalls (less PSI) generate more heat as the tire rolls down the road due to extra flexing from a 'mushier' sidewall and increased rolling resistance (friction).

 

Correct, ish.

You mention “depending on the load”, which is exactly what I was getting at earlier.

Another angle to consider; my OEM tires were ST205/75-15 LRD. Max pressure was 65#. At full inflation, they were soft and squishy with my load. I bumped up to a ST225/75-15 LRE. Max pressure is 80#.

Looking at a load chart, my new tires have more load carrying capacity at 65# (81% max pressure) than my OEM did at the same pressure (100% max pressure). The new tires are rock solid with my load, and bumping the pressure up made no appreciable difference in feel or temperature, as monitored via my TireMinder i10 TPMS system. All it did by running max pressure is likely reduce my contact area on the road, which would decrease grip in braking.

Will max pressure hurt? Probably not a lot. Is it necessary when carrying less than max load capacity? Nope. Not even a little bit.

 

I've always heard to defer to the side plate rating, not the tire max because the tire will probably carry more than the trailer weight. Ran my Goodyear Endurance at the 65# recommended on the camper's sideplate, not the 80# max on the tire and they worked just fine. Helped the gas mileage too. Running them at 80# would probably rip the hinges off the cabinet doors.

 

I run my ST trailer tires at the max 80psi. It was delivered that way.

 

https://www.rvtravel.com/its-tire-i...the-sidewall-that-supports-the-load-rvt-1162/

 

I’m firmly in this camp. The only time I’ve had issues with trailer tires is when they’ve been under inflated - under max inflation, I should say. Occasionally I used to deflate my flat bed or enclosed trailer tires 10 lbs or so whenever I was driving home empty. I stopped to check tires one day and those tires were HOT. Never did that again. I will, however drop a few pounds out of trailer tires when I’m dragging stuff through Forest service roads that haven’t been maintained and I know I’m not going faster than 30 mph.

Every tire shop and tire manufacturer I’ve ever spoken with says the same thing about trailer tires - ST tires are designed to be run at max inflation pressure. I’ll add that I will run tires appropriate to the axle rating but usually look for a tire with a higher speed rating instead the next higher ply rating.

 

Another in the max PSI range on my TT (+/- a PSI or two depending upon the weather). Monitor via TST monitor, which shows tire temp as well.

 

Yep, there's a table like that for ST tires that I used to determine the correct pressure.

Letters in parentheses denote Load Range for which bold-faced loads and inflations are maximum

 

A couple of good links...

For Goodyear Endurance: https://www.goodyearrvtires.com/pdfs/rv_inflation.pdf

Another good one: https://tirepressure.org/special-trailer-tire-load-and-inflation-chart

 

Thanks for posting this, it’s the exact one I used when I got my Endurance tires. To be honest, I couldn’t go as low on pressure as the chart says will carry my trailer GVW. 35# would technically do it, but that left too much sidewall flex for my taste.

 

I used this Goodyear chart when I had the Endurance tires on my single axle trailer. After looking at the chart, I went a bit higher at 65 psi when the chart said 50 psi would work for my application.

Then I went to some Falken LT tires and kept the pressure at 65 psi. I have a TPMS to monitor the pressure and temps and do find that the temp goes a couple of degrees higher with the LT's. I like the firmness of the ride with the LT's and the tread depth is considerable.

I probably would go with Goodyear Endurance again if I had a double axle and run them based on the psi/load chart.

 

Also running the good year endurance on my camper and also run them at the max of 80psi. They are built and designed to allow for greater psi as they get hotter so 80psi is what they are cold. Also get a good TPMS (tire pressure monitor system). This will tell you if one starts leaking and also what the temp is as you travel. A must in my opinion for anyone that pulls a camper. If you have a double axle you could loose one and not realize without this.

 

This. I've actually debated getting 4 additional screw on sensors for the truck since the OEM system stops at 50psi and my tears are set between 53 and 57 depending upon load in the bed. Even the fronts end up warming to about 50 (or higher). All about as data and early warnings.

 

If you add the weights (sensors to the wheels) consider 2 things:

1) Swap the rubber stems to metal ones as the weights will move back and forth and potentially weaken the stems. The weights will leave marks on your wheels as well.

2) Get the wheels rebalanced to allow for the added weight at the stem.

Just my 2 cents to avoid creating vibrations and leaks down the road.

I use a TST system on my trailer and it works great and is very quick. I did swap out the rubber stems after noticing some marks from the sensors of the aluminum. I had the wheels balanced as well.

In my case, I found 80 psi too much for my little trailer and it was showing the abuse with popped rivets and detached cabinets. I dropped the pressure to 65 psi and things got much better inside the trailer.