Best Tire Pressure to Fill a Standard Trailer Tire

Published 05/25/2016

Question:

Hi I have a travel trailer 30 ft long and had tires replaced about 2 years ago they are Goodyear Marathon ST 225/75R15 the tire pressure on the side wall says 65psi cold and also on the camper sticker it says 65psi max cold , should I have them all the way to 65psi being they will build pressure as I am driving or set them around 50psi to begin with ? Thank you for your help.

asked by: Thomas J

Helpful Expert Reply:

Special trailer tires should be inflated to their maximum air pressure.

This value will designate the maximum load at a maximum psi. For example, if the tire is rated at 2,540 lbs maximum at 65 psi, like the # AM1ST96 you were looking at, the tire can carry 2,540 lbs of weight if the air pressure is at the maximum of 65 psi. At the maximum air pressure, the tires will perform and wear best, and have the best gas mileage.

If a trailer tire is inflated to a lower air pressure than the max, the amount of weight that the tire can carry/support will be reduced. If a heavier load is put on the trailer tire than what is recommended for that air pressure, the sidewall of the tire could heat up and cause the tire to fail.

It is important to know that you should always inflate your tires to the maximum when they are cold.

expert reply by: Jackie C