chriss
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Post by chriss on May 25, 2019 11:31:02 GMT -8
After getting my wheels powdercoated and the new 5.30×12 LR D tires from etrailer, I had the local shop mount and balance them, I was surprised when I saw rubber valve stems and the salesperson said they inflated them to 60psi, the limit of the rubber stems. I always thought ST tires were supposed to be inflated to the max, in this case 80psi. I don't want a blowout due to under inflation or a valve stem failure. I had metal ones before.
Something tells me I should change them out for metal. What would you all do? It's a 1200 lb lil loafer.
It's a reputable tire chain. Their won't be a warranty since they didn't sell me the tires.
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turbodaddy
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Post by turbodaddy on May 25, 2019 15:56:17 GMT -8
I don't know about the valve stems, but you are correct, real ST trailer tires should be inflated to the max as marked on the sidewall. Mine are rubber, and I've never had a problems.
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Post by vikx on May 25, 2019 20:49:39 GMT -8
Wow, we've always kept our little trailers around 40 psi. I can imagine the ride would be pretty stiff with a Lil Loafer at 80 lbs?
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jeremiah
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Post by jeremiah on May 26, 2019 4:28:58 GMT -8
Wow. I wonder why they say Max instead of recommended? I have never driven a car or pulled a trailer with 80lbs in the tires. Seems like a lot of pressure.
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turbodaddy
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Post by turbodaddy on May 26, 2019 4:50:54 GMT -8
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turbodaddy
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Post by turbodaddy on May 26, 2019 5:04:10 GMT -8
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jeremiah
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Post by jeremiah on May 26, 2019 5:29:50 GMT -8
Great picture of the Exoert on E trailer. Is he 18 years old ? Maybe 19. Well I hear new stuff every day thank you
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chriss
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Post by chriss on May 26, 2019 7:30:16 GMT -8
I forgot to mention, but I always ran bias tires, but this time, I'm trying an ST radial from etrailer.
I pulled the same info off these sites, as well as discounttire. Vehicle tires go by the vehicle manufacturer, but seems the general consensus for trailers is put them to their max pressure. I guess I can see that on equipment or utility trailers where the loads vary, but is that true for a camper with a constant load?
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chametzoo
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Post by chametzoo on May 26, 2019 11:31:33 GMT -8
Tire Rack's recommendations ring true with almost every informed resource on ST tires I've seen. This also from Tire Rack, regarding the differences in dynamic loads for ST and passenger vehicle tires. Important to know: www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=219 |
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jukebox
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Post by jukebox on May 26, 2019 12:09:49 GMT -8
Tire pressures seems to be more of a personal preference than actual fact. The max pressure rating on the tire is for the max load rating of the tire. If you are not at max load of the tire then why inflate to the max rating? The trailer will ride super rough for no reason. Example. If you have a single axle trailer like most of us with canned ham trailers that weigh around 2000 lbs you don't need to fill the tires to max psi. If the tires are rated at 1700 lbs at max air pressure cold then the combined carrying weight of the tires is 3400 lbs. Obviously way more than required even if you load your trailer heavy.
Overloaded tires and hub bearings will get hot and fail if not maintained/adjusted correctly. Fill your tires to 30 percent lower than max psi. Load your trailer and tow it with your new tires for about 10 minutes or so in warm weather then stop and put your hand on the sidewall of the tire. Should feel moderately warm. Also touch the bearing cap. The cap should feel slightly warm almost as if it is a few degrees warmer than ambient. See how the trailer feels and sits on the tires. Adjust up or down from there. If it is good then leave it. The temperature of the rolling tire will tell you when it is inflated correctly.
Balancing of the trailer wheel assemblies was a good idea. I wouldn't get too hung up on the valve stems. Metal ones generally need a flat surface to be mounted to. Your rims may not accommodate that. Standard rubber valve stems will work fine just as long as they are not too long. I have never heard of a pressure rating for valve stems. Keep the stems short or as short as possible and still be able to adjust the pressure without too much trouble or removing hubcaps etc.
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Post by bigbill on May 27, 2019 5:31:56 GMT -8
I was always told that rubber valve stems had a max usable pressure of 60 psi. Above that always use steel stems. I personally don't like tire failures which are usually caused by heat build up. Heat is caused by excessive flexing of the tire. I always run my trailer tires at max air pressure as this is where the stated load rating is achieved. I have found that travel trailer weight changes constantly because of what we add to it. Things like water in holding tanks (black, gray, & fresh), also food and beverages, clothing, camp site accessories (chairs, tables. awnings, tents, portable stoves, and so on). Then we add in fishing, hunting, golf clubs or what ever your trip includes. I have seen weight vary by more than a thousand pounds from trip to trip. Another thing that people fail to allow for is wind loading and speed as these have an effect on your tires. For the above stated reasons I like to have tires rated for twice the static weight of my trailer. In almost 3/4 of a century of being around trailers i have learned a lot the hard way.
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