Trailer tire pressure

[Deep_Sinker]

Does anyone know for sure what smaller trailer tires should run for pressure. I picked up some Carlise 4.80 x 12 rim and tire for my boat trailer this weekend and there was a sticker saying to inflate to 60lbs. cold.(this is what the side wall says is the max pressure) Am I crazy thinking that this is way too high? Any good advice is appreciated. It seems I can only get a few thousand miles out of these tires before they are shot.

[311Hemi]

I was wondering that about my snowmobile trailer. Should I run at max pressure all the time? Load or no load, cold/warm?

[IFallsRon]

Smaller tire diameters need higher pressure to dissipate the heat generated by speed and heavy loads. There have been past threads questioning the quality and durability of Carlisle tires.

[fivebucks]

I always fill to recommended pressure. I have noticed that, as IFallsRon says, they get hot if underinflated.

[loosegoose]

Inflate them to the max tire pressure as displayed on the side wall.

[Valv]

Go to the max pressure, even if empty. 60lbs is normal.

[FZ]

Oh, that's why my trailer tires always very hot even after a short trip. I thought my truck's tire needs only 33 lbs, why my trailer tires said 50 lbs, LOL.

[Thomas]

Do 60 pounds of pressure, unless you want to blow out your tires.

[Whoaru99]

A more complex answer just to throw a wrench in the machinery...

Every tire has a pressure vs load capacity. Now, for some it's very hard, if not darn near impossible to find this data, but that is where the most correct inflation pressure comes from.

Too much air and the the ride is overly rough and can be damaged by shocks/impacts, too low and the tire runs hot, harder to pull, etc.

Here is an example from Goodyear. You find the tire style, size, load rating and then you get the tire load vs. pressure details. So, if you know the weight of the trailer and load, you can then determine the "optimum" inflation pressure - again, provided you can locate the load table.

[JollyT]

Another point I see often ignored with trailer tires is the maximum speed rating. I see many trailers with 8 or 10 in. tires being towed down the interstate at 75-80 mph. These tires are probably rated for 55 mph max. Some of the 8" are only rated for 45 mph. Part of this is because of bearing speed. That small trailer tire is turning more than 4 to 1 compared to your trucks tire. Lots of extra rpm there. If that tire is soft (low air), all the extra sidewall deformation will really generate heat too.

[Deep_Sinker]

I think that I will stick to the 60lbs. Thanks for all the insight. Also, have any of you found a good durable tire like this if the Carlisle isn't very good???

[Valv]

Carlisle is the low end, Good year are a good brand but not easy to find

[CabinBoy]

Are Carlisle tires really as bad as I am hearing and reading on different forums? I have a set on my Eagle trailer now that are 3 yrs old but look to be in good condition with about 4500 miles on them. Is it true that a lot of them are re-treads? Pretty close to switching them out for Goodyear Marathons.

[Guest]

Carlisles.. are round and they roll. They dont last very long and there has been way too many issues with them. Some due to operator error(tire owner), and way too many other problems just because they are a poor quality tire, but they are economical and popular because of it. I think all trailers that have 12" and 8" wheels come with Carlisle tires standard... because they save the manufacturer money, and they are readily available.. not because they are a decent tire(they are not). Its similar to the Firestone situation with Ford in the past, and notice most light trucks had Good Year Wrangler RTS tires on them for a long time? Manufacturers put tires on that are cheap.

If you are stuck buying Carlisle because of availability, buy more tire than what you need(higher load range) and you shouldnt have so many problems, but they will not last as long as a quality tire. Keep your tire properly inflated to max pressure(usually somewhere between #40-#80 psi).

Over loaded tires are going to be a problem no matter what brand they are.