Decent non-China trailer tires ?

[JJZ 109]

Installed tires and then checked pressures. 50 PSI max recommended. 2 were at 52 and 2 were at 54. Set all at 50 and wiped them down with Aero 303.

 

[daugen]

What should the tire pressure be in these? Max?

I'm pretty sure that's going to depend upon the max weight limit of the tire. You might not need to run max pressure
if the tires have excess capacity. But the rated limit pressure on the tire is sure a good place to start. It may just be an old habit but I always back them off a couple of pounds unless I'm pulling at capacity.

I have the same issue on my truck rear tires. Rated to hold three tons in the bed. But usually there is three hundred pounds...so am I too going to wear out the centers if they stay inflated to the number on the door sticker? I lowered my rears by five pounds in the elusive search for a better dually ride. On a trailer, usually, who cares about the ride; we just want the tire to wear evenly, last a long time and not detonate on us. And for a long time, that seems to have been too much to ask. Just ask a few Goodyear Marathon owners.
I think the current crop of South Korean tires is very high quality. I have owned Towmasters and Kumho's. Excellent tires, simply did their job and the tread never seems to wear; both radials.

 

[JJZ 109]

What should the tire pressure be in these? Max?

I'm pretty sure that's going to depend upon the max weight limit of the tire. You might not need to run max pressure
if the tires have excess capacity. But the rated limit pressure on the tire is sure a good place to start. It may just be an old habit but I always back them off a couple of pounds unless I'm pulling at capacity.

I have the same issue on my truck rear tires. Rated to hold three tons in the bed. But usually there is three hundred pounds...so am I too going to wear out the centers if they stay inflated to the number on the door sticker? I lowered my rears by five pounds in the elusive search for a better dually ride. On a trailer, usually, who cares about the ride; we just want the tire to wear evenly, last a long time and not detonate on us. And for a long time, that seems to have been too much to ask. Just ask a few Goodyear Marathon owners.
I think the current crop of South Korean tires is very high quality. I have owned Towmasters and Kumho's. Excellent tires, simply did their job and the tread never seems to wear; both radials.

As stated before, the total load is from 5200-5500 on 7000 total capacity axles. Sam's Club specs show these tires rated at 1760# max load.
I generally run 5 pounds below max, thinking that the air will expand as the tire heats up, thus increasing the pressure.
Is this remotely close to logical? This is the first time I've actually paid much attention and spent the money for quality trailer tires so I'd like to maintain them properly. Generally I'd just grab whatever the local TSC, tire store or repair shop was selling just to get it back up & running quickly.
All advice is appreciated.

 

[3930dave]

With ST tires, I prefer to run at the Max Pressure, or no more than 5psi below. Any tire that I'm familiar with specs max pressure Cold, ie. sitting still overnight.

I look at it this way.... running ST's at the high end of rated pressure, you may risk wearing the centre tread a bit more, and perhaps have a rougher riding trailer.

Running ST's at low pressure, you raise the odds of blowing out a sidewall (in an already shaky class of tire) quite a bit.

Given the choice (and personally not having live or delicate cargo that cares about the ride), I'm sticking with running my ST's at the high-end of their rated pressure.

If you think of it JJZ, pls give us an update say 1+ years out, as to how these Transmasters are behaving for you.

Rgds, D.

 

[JJZ 109]

If you think of it JJZ, pls give us an update say 1+ years out, as to how these Transmasters are behaving for you.

Rgds, D.

If I can remember, I'll give a post. I'm nearing the end of my season so within the next month the trailer will be parked all winter.

 

[3930dave]

With the length of our Winters, I get axle stands under my TT for the off-season.

I consider that a Nice To Do move, not Must Do, for myself.

Rgds, D.

 

[ultrarunner]

Lots of equipment coming and going right now for the Hospital build out.

One of the contractors has a flat bed trailer with tip up ramps... looks like a car trailer on steroids.

Double Axle with Sumitomo made in Japan load range H tires weight rated over 4800 pounds per tire.

Have not heard much discussion on Japanese trailer tires and wanted to post.

size 235/75/17.5

Trailer is rated for 18k and towed by an F350 and none of the employees have commercial or upgraded licenses... never have and the shop is 2 miles from the weigh station...

 

[3930dave]

I don't know their tires, but my impression of Sumitomo in other areas is good.

Not sure what your exact "light" duty non-RV trailer limits are in Cali, but I seem to recall Brain55 running out of luck, after years of running heavy. As I recall, he was stepping up to a medium-duty International lately, with all the right papers/stickers.

Fines are heavy, once you do get caught. Anybody running a business should be thinking about the liabilities involved in running overweight - plenty of examples of insurance companies walking away from accident coverage, for less reason.

Rgds, D.

 

[ultrarunner]

Trailers are a funny thing... tags are $18 for 5 years so having a trailer can be well worth the effort.

My PJ trailer has two 6k axles and is de-rated to 9,900 for California to avoid additional license requirements.

The reason I say the rules are funny is because I can tow a 20,000 pound RV or boat trailer and no will bat an eye... there are even special rules for Farm vehicles within so many miles from the farm.

To the best of my knowledge, a whole new set of regs kick in for trailers used for business once the GVW hits 10k... yet I see large trailers being pulled around here all the time without a second thought...

 

[Diamondpilot]

With ST tires, I prefer to run at the Max Pressure, or no more than 5psi below. Any tire that I'm familiar with specs max pressure Cold, ie. sitting still overnight. I look at it this way.... running ST's at the high end of rated pressure, you may risk wearing the centre tread a bit more, and perhaps have a rougher riding trailer. Running ST's at low pressure, you raise the odds of blowing out a sidewall (in an already shaky class of tire) quite a bit. Given the choice (and personally not having live or delicate cargo that cares about the ride), I'm sticking with running my ST's at the high-end of their rated pressure. If you think of it JJZ, pls give us an update say 1+ years out, as to how these Transmasters are behaving for you. Rgds, D.

I agree. We run max pressure on all of our ST Tires.

Chris