with RV tire expert Roger Marble
Here’s a recent question from an RV trailer owner on a forum:
“I am replacing the tires on my small (12-14 ft., depending on how you measure) travel trailer. I plan to buy Goodyear Endurance ST205/75R14, load range D, to replace the brand X Chinese ST205/75R14, load range C.
“Vehicle manufacturer says to inflate to 50 psi. Sidewall on existing tires have 50 psi listed as max. The replacement Goodyear tires have max of 65 psi on the sidewall.
“I see that the opening post on this thread says to use the sidewall pressure. But I have always gone with the vehicle maker’s suggestions which are often lower than the max tire rating. For example, my F-250 wants 65 psi in front and 80 in the rear. Do I use the 65 max on the tire or with the vehicle manufacturer’s 50 psi?”
So I said: Simple question, but I can make the answer complex. 😀
The MINIMUM inflation you need to run is what the Load Inflation tables show for the actual measured load on your tires.
Lacking the actual scale reading, we need to look at your RV certification label that identifies the MINIMUM inflation your trailer manufacturer recommends. This is based on the DOT requirement that the tires have to be capable of supporting the GAWR (gross axle weight rating) load as shown on the label.
The RVIA (RV Industry Association) in 2017 started to require a 10% Reserve Load (load capability more than the GAWR minimum).
As a tire engineer, I come at the topic of trying to provide the best conditions to allow the tires to run the longest. As I cover in my blog post, trailers place extreme shear forces on tires that are 24% greater than similar forces experienced on motorhomes. This, IMO, is the primary reason for tire life in trailer application being less than on motorhomes.
Also, you need to remember and understand that it is the air pressure, not the tire sidewall, that supports the load. If you run the inflation used in an LR-C tire in an LR-D tire, you will have no increase in load capacity so will gain nothing.
Having said all this, I would suggest you run at least the certification label +10%. If you can run label +20%, that should result in better durability.
See? That wasn’t too painful. 😉
Read more from Roger Marble on his blog at RVtiresafety.net.
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Tire manufacturers recommend TRAILER tires be inflated to the maximum pressure stamped on sidewall because of the flexing that occurs in trailer tires. Motor homes have different requirements.
Also need to insure wheel rims are rated for more than 50 psi.
Yes, whenever changing (increasing) the Load Range to confirm the load and inflation rating of the wheels. Some wheels are marked (on brake drum side) with a Load & Inflation rating. Some only may have a max load rating. You may need to do some digging to find the info from the wheel supplier on some smaller trailers.