Is 90 PSI Rating for 4.80-12 Size Tire Too High

Question:

I just bought a small popup trailer with 4.80 x 12 Road star tires on it. It lists max tire pressure at 90 psi. That seems high for such a small tire. Is that actually the pressure that tire should be at all times?

asked by: Scott

Expert Reply:

If the sidewall of your 4.80-12 size tires say 90 psi then that is what you want them to be when the tires are cold (after they have been sitting for a while like overnight). This is the psi rating that the manufacturer has tested and approved to be safe with the weight rating that is listed on the tire. The psi will actually increase some during travel due to heat build up but the manufacturer has already accounted for this.

The 90 psi rating is actually normal for that size tire. For example, the Taskmaster 4.80-12 Trailer Tire # TT48012C has a Load Range of C which means 990 lbs at 90 psi.

expert reply by: Jon G