Tire Pressure (Trailer stamp vs tire info)

[gonzo628]

So, my 3124 has Carlisle Radial Trail tires (225 75/R15 LRE) on it. Their max pressure is 80psi. The trailer stamp says the trailer was spec'ed with 225 75/R15 LRD (max pressure is 65psi. My question is... Which do I adhere to?

How do I tell what the rim was spec'ed for? (Another member mentioned the rim -in his situation - being insufficient for the tire rating).

[Kidkraz]

Go by the current tiremarkings on the side wall, not what the trailer sticker shows.

[gonzo628]

Originally Posted by Kidkraz

Go by the current tiremarkings on the side wall, not what the trailer sticker shows.

I get that. If the trailer were LRE, but the tires were only LRD, I would not surpass the 65psi. I guess I am just not sure of 2 things:

1) Should I run at max pressure?

2) Does the stamp in any way correlate with rim limitation? Another member indicated he had problems because his tires were LRE and the rim (spec'ed for LRD) could not hold the pressure (allowing the tire to fail).

[Craigrrr]

Originally Posted by gonzo628

I get that. If the trailer were LRE, but the tires were only LRD, I would not surpass the 65psi. I guess I am just not sure of 2 things:

1) Should I run at max pressure?

2) Does the stamp in any way correlate with rim limitation? Another member indicated he had problems because his tires were LRE and the rim (spec'ed for LRD) could not hold the pressure (allowing the tire to fail).

If you really load the TM with a lot weight I would run at 75-80

otherwise I think 65 would be fine and not mess up the tires

[TrailManorMan]

Most rims do have a psi rating, I'd be sure to know what it is before putting to much pressure on the rim. The old weakest link theory need to be known.

[Padgett]

New trailer wheels have a sticker or can check model number which should be stamped in the wheel. I would use at least a 15x6.

These were returned when I saw the wheel sticker.

ps I would not run over 65 psi, trailer would bounce. Check the rating of the LRD tire at 65 then take the weight of the trailer, subtract the tongue weight if not a WDH, divide by two. If the max load of a LRD is more, run 65. LRE is just stronger, not bigger.

[Bill]

Originally Posted by DebNMac

... Now I keep seeing references to the psi limits for rims being stamped on the backside of the rim.

Deb -

Are the markings in your photo on the backside of the rim, or the inside of the rim? Often they are found on the inside - the part that is covered by the tire once the tire is mounted. Handy huh? So you may not find the marking unless you dismount the tire, then remount it, then (of course) re-balance it.

Another way to get an idea is via the valve stems, presumed to have been originally installed on the wheel. See this
https://www.etrailer.com/question-230756.html

Can you identify the maker of the wheel? If so, you can query them, probably on their web site. Last week I went through this same question. I upgraded from TM's OEM LR-D tires (65 psi) to new LR-E tires. After the tire jockey mounted them and inflated them to 78 psi, he mumbled "Gee I wonder if the wheels can take that pressure." So I deflated them to 72 and we continued the trip. When we got home, I shot off a query to HiSpec, the wheel maker, explaining the situation with the D-to-E conversion. They immediately responded "They will easily handle 80 psi".

My trailer also had the proper valve stem for 80 psi

So I am resting easier.

Good luck.

Bill

[Deb Mac]

Hi Bill. That picture is from the backside of the rim. If I had realized the rating info was on the inside, I would made sure he checked before he mounted the tires.

I have steel valves on all of the wheels - came with the rims from what I can see so it would seem the valves can handle 80psi. Rims are the big question.

Maker is CT&W. Carlisle Tire & Wheel. 2009 mfr date. I have a query in to them. We’ll see what they come back with. But I agree that it is more likely a 65psi rated rim being from ‘09. Could be pleasantly surprised… that would be a switch! Nothing else has been a pleasant surprise, though nothing really has been totally unexpected.

If all else fails I can bring back one tire and have him take a look inside then remount and rebalance. Maybe the spare, since I’m working getting the rack tweaked.

[Wavery]

Just a tip Deb Mac......... I see rust spots on the rims. Once the rims start rusting, that degrades the PSI rating anyway.

Having said that, I've never seen a post on anyone experiencing issues with wheel leaking or breaking.

Even if your "E" rated tires are rated at 80PSI cold, I wouldn't run them over 60PSI. It just causes a very hard ride on the trailer. 60-65PSI is plenty to support under 2,000# of load per tire. Those tires are probably rated @ around 2500# each and would need 80# of pressure when carrying 5000#.

[Deb Mac]

Originally Posted by Wavery

Just a tip Deb Mac......... I see rust spots on the rims. Once the rims start rusting, that degrades the PSI rating anyway.

Having said that, I've never seen a post on anyone experiencing issues with wheel leaking or breaking.

Even if your "E" rated tires are rated at 80PSI cold, I wouldn't run them over 60PSI. It just causes a very hard ride on the trailer. 60-65PSI is plenty to support under 2,000# of load per tire. Those tires are probably rated @ around 2500# each and would need 80# of pressure when carrying 5000#.

I wondered about the little rust spots. It’s all surface and just on the outside of the lip. The part that contacts the tire bead is ok. I couldn’t see running them at 80 anyway. I had thought 65-70 psi. But if the rims are only rated to 65psi, I guess my decision has been made for me. I can’t see them being 80psi rims. In spite of the metal valve stems. I’m good with running them at 60-65. They’re filled at 60 right now.

One more thing to put on my “maybe get next year” list…