2 Blowouts on Recent Trip (Question about PSI)

[R1Peacock]

I had my single axle trailer serviced 2 years ago and the shop replaced my 2 tires and spare with new Load Range D - Max 65 PSI tires. A couple days ago I checked the tires and they looked good - no cracks or other visible damage. I checked the pressure before I left for a trip to Deep Creek Lake and made sure each tire had the max 65 PSI as posted on the sidewall. The boat had 1/2 tank of gas and was not overloaded otherwise. I’ve been towing boats for 20+ years and have always heard for best performance keep max PSI in your trailer tires.

I left my house and the temp was in the high 90’s. I drove just about 70 miles west and had a blowout on the right tire. I pulled to the shoulder replaced the tire with my spare and continued my way. Roughly 50 miles later the left tire blew. I spent the night on the shoulder of the highway and in the morning took 2 tires to a local Goodyear shop where I purchased 2 new Endurance tires. I told the shop what had happended and he asked “did you have your tires inflated to max PSI”. I told him yes and he said “there is your problem”. He was adamant about reducing the PSI 8-10 pounds during the summer when driving up and down mountains with steep inclines and declines to account for excess heat and pressure build up causing a blowout. The mountains are only 3000 feet in Western Maryland so we are not talking Hoosier Pass / Colorado altitude 14,000 feet. So what does everyone say — listen to YouTubers saying keep tires at Max PSI or listen to a Tire Tech. I’m driving home Sunday and at this rate have increased concern. I normally tow in central Maryland and this was my first summer trip to Deep Creek. These were also my 1st blowouts in 20+ Years.

[MikeF]

So what does everyone say — listen to YouTubers saying keep tires at Max PSI or listen to a Tire Tech.

Listen to the tire engineers who designed the tires.

Tire size and load determine pressure needed in tire.

https://www.goodyearrvtires.com/pdfs/rv_inflation.pdf

[billwvu05]

Let me preface this by saying that I am not a tire expert. I had the same questions as you so i decided to run a test on my C range tires. I was always under the impression that under inflated tires reduce the load carrying capacity of the tire which in turn builds heat. This can lead to tire failure. I did a 40 mile run to the lake one day at 40 psi and checked the temp with an infrared thermometer. I then used the portable compressor and put them at the 50 psi max for the return trip home. I cant recall the exact numbers but they ran noticeably cooler on the return home. I run max and have never had an issue towing in the same general area you are in.

[CatFan]

Your tire guy is an idiot. Inflate to 65psi.

[R1Peacock]

I’ve run max psi for 20 years and never had a problem. I’ve always listened to what I was told -“run at max psi on trailer tires”. Weird how both tires failed 50 miles a part from each other. Maybe they were just crap tires (being PowerKing Towmaster Vanguards). I have new Goodyear Endurance now.

[61Woody]

Your tire guy is an idiot. Inflate to 65psi.

Why would you run more pressure than what is needed ? That would cause uneven wear in the center of the tread. Even Goodyear has a chart on weight carried vs PSI. Do you go by the sidewalls on tires or your door jamb ?

[ifishinxs]

Your tire guy is an idiot. Inflate to 65psi.

I totally agree! Tires run cooler with the higher pressure. I suspect in the OP’s case the tires were junk to begin with. Tire manufactures take heat and load into consideration when setting PSI numbers. The Goodyear table is a great guide to load and psi. When in doubt run the max psi for a cooler running tire.

[Slicefixer]

I had the same experience last summer.....2 blew in about the same distance.....junk tires. I replaced all 4 with quality trailer tires designed for the load and no issues since. I run at max and now have a TPMS system that monitors all 4 plus my truck tires. I learned my lesson......hehe

[Slicefixer]

Btw, tires can "look good" and be internally compromised. I bought a used 30' travel trailer about 4 years ago. I had a blowout 30 minutes after I took legal possession of the thing. The blowout blew out the floor, destroyed the main wiring harness, and the internal floor underneath the appliances.....totaled. Luckily State Farm covered it even though I hadn't had time to officially place the insurance......amazingly. That's why I now have the TPMS.

[nicapopolis]

Max PSI.

Those were 2 year old tires and may not have been great. I have read lots of threads where guys replace at the 3 year mark regardless of wear.

[DewRonInc]

Yup trailer tires, about three years, I sell tires and I have got to where I run automotive tires with far less issues

[krindgen]

Your tire guy is an idiot. Inflate to 65psi.

Once this tire starts rolling the real pressure is over max pressure. Bad. 60psi would be good.

[CatFan]

Once this tire starts rolling the real pressure is over max pressure. Bad. 60psi would be good.

That is 100% incorrect. The tire isn’t labelled with max pressure, it’s labelled with max COLD pressure. That means you inflate it to that pressure before you start driving and the pressure rise from the heat is taken into consideration. Running them at 60psi would be underinflating them even if the pressure gets above 65 when the tire heats up.

[fishnfireman]

That is 100% incorrect. The tire isn’t labelled with max pressure, it’s labelled with max COLD pressure. That means you inflate it to that pressure before you start driving and the pressure rise from the heat is taken into consideration. Running them at 60psi would be underinflating them even if the pressure gets above 65 when the tire heats up.

[krindgen]

That is 100% incorrect. The tire isn’t labelled with max pressure, it’s labelled with max COLD pressure. That means you inflate it to that pressure before you start driving and the pressure rise from the heat is taken into consideration. Running them at 60psi would be underinflating them even if the pressure gets above 65 when the tire heats up.

You're right, I forgot that detail. 65psi would be for "max load" which would be 8600lb for a tandem and Goodyear clearly states that pressure can be reduced based on the load carried.

[5keepers2]

What is/was the pressure rating of your valve stems?
Read this: http://www.bbcboards.net/showthread....=#post12616430

[Ohio Archer]

Listen to the tire engineers who designed the tires.

Tire size and load determine pressure needed in tire.

https://www.goodyearrvtires.com/pdfs/rv_inflation.pdf

I run Endurance tires on my tandem Skeeter trailer. Following the attached chart, I'd need to run 30 psi in each tire for my 4600 boat/trailer set up (4 times 1300 lbs = 5200 lbs). Not going to run them that low. The sidewalls will heat up causing a tire failure. Running them at 60-65 psi, I've seen no uneven wear and the tires don't get hot (hand test). I don't run 87 mph, either, mostly 70-75 on highway runs.

[krindgen]

I run Endurance tires on my tandem Skeeter trailer. Following the attached chart, I'd need to run 30 psi in each tire for my 4600 boat/trailer set up (4 times 1300 lbs = 5200 lbs). Not going to run them that low. The sidewalls will heat up causing a tire failure. Running them at 60-65 psi, I've seen no uneven wear and the tires don't get hot (hand test). I don't run 87 mph, either, mostly 70-75 on highway runs.

Just got a new set for mine and this is what the "I bin doin' this for 40yrs" shop owner told me. He suggested 60. Don't go any lower for fear of doing sidewall damage. A couple trips and they ride really nice.

[CJ1]

Tires should be inflated to the weight they are carrying. End of story. Now if you are not sure of the weight they have on the then inflate to max PSI for the tire as Cat said, that eliminates "most" of the errors. Does it give you max tread life and the best ride, more than likely not but it is safe. Even better, stay away from Chinese junk tires. IMHO that will eliminate 90% of the issues we are seeing.

On a side note I have been running a set of endurance tires since they came out and by the chart I am at 55psi and thats where they are inflated to. The trailer is a single axle and for at least 100 miles of my normal trip north they see 80+mph. The rest of the trip is 65 to 70mph one way. Never a issue and they ride great. Estimating about 8-10k on them. CJ

[DaveTTN]

What is the average temperature of a tire to be considered running hot? Always in the discussion of under inflation is this leads to high temperatures and tire failure.