Boat trailer tire pressure.

[BPBOB]

Recently had my truck motor oil changed and found out by accident a few days later that the service people had inflated my tires way above what is listed on the door jam-remedied that issue.

Now I'm wondering about my boat trailer tires -do you guys fill them up to the max listed on the tire,or is there some other guide to use? I think it's listed as 50 Lbs on the tire.

[Smoker]

I always go by the max tire pressure rating on the tire. That will give you the max load rating for the tire.

[skyhawk]

As Smoker says, what the trailer tire says. Seen anywhere from 50 - 80 lbs. You will notice that there's usually quite a range between pressure listed on car door and pressure stated on tire. Tire gives max safe pressure tire is rated for; car ratings give you the best ride. I usually run somewhere between. On long trips I run closer to tire rating.

[caseymcq]

I may be asking a question with an obvious answer but I'll ask it any way. Does the trailer have a sticker or tag with the pressure listed? My trailer has a sticker from the manufacture with the tire pressure listed. It says 50 lbs.

[crappie todd]

the tire pressure is listed on the tire side wall.

[caseymcq]

Not knowing what vintage BPBOB's trailer is, it is hard to say if the trailer or an owner's manual would have the pressure listed. I have a trailer made in 2004 and there is a sticker (somewhat similar to those on the inside of car doors) that has the manufacture's reccomended tire pressure.

The pressure listed on the tire is usually listed in conjunction with the maximum load that can be put on the individual tire, it isn't what the tire should necessarily be inflated to. For example it may say something to the effect of Max Load 1360 lbs at 50psi. Yes, the trailer manufacture's reccomendation may be the same as the max pressure listed on the tire (like mine in the picture above) but it isn't always case. The trailer manufacturer has engineers that have taken into account various factors to determine what the appropriate pressure should be for that particular trailer and that is the pressure that should be used. The tire manufacturer doesn't necessarily know what the exact use of the tire will be so they list the max load for the tire and list a psi that load is applicable to. If you have a lighter load than what the tire is rated for that max pressure may not be appropriate. The tire could potentially be over inflated and as a result could cause excess center wear.

[Whoaru99]

the tire pressure is listed on the tire side wall.

That is not absolute. Sure, there is a pressure on the tire sidewall but that isn't necessarily the right pressure for the tires.

The right pressure for the tires is (usually, or should be) provided in the Owner's/Operator's manual for the vehicle, or typcially on a sticker in the door jamb for cars and trucks. Of course, the mfg provided pressure assumes you are using the same size tire and the load is within the vehicle rating. Do NOT assume the pressure given on the tire sidewall is the correct inflation pressure for any given application.

If no pressure rating is provided, one can usually find the tire and a load table in the tire mfg information. Then, knowing the weight on the tires you can find the air pressure required for the load. Even this is not perfect science though as certain tires and uses have cyclical load allowances and non-standard pressures approved by the tire mfg for specific condtions. This is why the BEST source for tire inflation pressure is the vehicle mfg. because all the factors are considered in their pressure recommendations.

Overinflating has problems of its own such as harsher ride, less contact patch, and increased potential for road hazard damage.

Here's an example from Goodyear info...