Recommended Trailer Tire/Wheel to Provide Smoothest Ride Quality for Delicate Cargo

Updated 12/12/2014 | Published 12/11/2014

Question:

HI have a utility trailer that only weighs 250 lb. but has a load limit of 1,800 pounds. I will never be hauling any more than about 200-300 pounds. Some of it a little on the delicate side. Think fiberglass box as an example. Current 12inch tire/rim combo is rated to run 90 psi. What hoping something like this 13inch kenda tire/rim combo AM3S050 that runs 35 psi would be way smoother? Once again I am WAY more concerned about smoothness of ride vs. heavy load. I also do not want to beat up my tow vehicle which is just a little ole Subaru hatchback. Thanks for the advice!

asked by: Shane

Expert Reply:

There will not be much difference in ride smoothness between a fully-inflated 35-psi rated tire and a fully-inflated 90-psi rated tire, but typically a radial will give a slightly smoother ride than a bias ply tire since it has a more flexible sidewall. Any trailer tire, whether a bias ply or radial, and regardless of its load rating, will deliver its full rated weight carrying capacity only when inflated to the full tire pressure noted on its side wall.

Since most customers are looking for maximum load capacity and reliability from their trailer tires we typically recommend keeping tires inflated to their maximum rating as noted on the sidewall. An under-inflated tire will offer a somewhat less rigid ride quality but will have a reduced load capacity too. It is possible to lower the inflation of your current tire to below its rated maximum. This will give a softer ride. But it is important to remember that its load capacity then drops also.

If your current tires are rated for 90-psi maximum you can lower their inflation for a softer ride as long as your cargo weight is far below the tire's maximum capacity. Unfortunately there is no absolute rule to say, for example, that "1/2 of normal inflation pressure equals 1/2 normal load capacity". So you will need to use your own good judgement in deciding how low a pressure to use to balance out ride quality versus handling and stability. Some cautious experimentation is in order.
You can try dropping your pressure in 5-psi increments to find the point where ride quality improves satisfactorily without impairing stability.

You also need to remember that your pressure has been lowered, and so whenever any other heavier cargo is carried you need to re-inflate the tires appropriately. This is an important safety consideration to keep in mind.

expert reply by: Adam R