Recommended Trailer Tire PSI Operation

Published 10/19/2018

Question:

I use to inflate my trailer tires to 80psi as the tire says to do I had several blow outs because the tires would heat up to 95psi so I decreased my psi to 70/72 and have not had a blow out sinse, now my tires heat up to the mid 80,s am I doing this right

asked by: James P

Helpful Expert Reply:

ST trailer tires should be inflated to their listed max psi when inflated cold (meaning prior to trip). The trip will increase the heat of the tire due to the road friction and ambient temperatures so you will have an increased psi reading, which is accounted for in the tire rating. It sounds like you are seeing similar temperature increases even at the reduced psi and just having the max psi reduced. The blowouts you were experiencing may be due to other factors like overloading the trailer or speeds in excess of the tire's rated max speed.

Decreasing your tire pressure although it is now helping you not to have blow outs will decrease your load capacity and may also cause uneven tire wear or traction issues. I've attached an article to further assist.

expert reply by: Jason S