Any Damage From Driving on Rough Roads?

[KLRchickie]

Originally Posted by 0210

The very minute you leave pavement you should be airing down all tires (including your vehicle) to 16-19 PSI. Not only will this improve in-vehicle comfort in a HUGE way, but it'll make your trailer run 10x smoother, and as an added benefit, it won't damage the dirt road nearly as much as a fully-inflated tire.

While airing down tires when off the pavement is *key* to arriving in camp with less shooken up vehicle contents, the pressure recommended here is _VERY_ low and tire damage is likely for all but the lightest of vehicles.

Removing 10-15% of the hot (measured) tire pressure when you leave the pavement will add a huge degree of comfort for passengers and contents on gravel/dirt roads. The exact pressure desired will be dependent on weight and speed.

It is also important to have available a method of airing those tires back up when you are returning to the pavement and the higher speeds you will be going.

[escape artist]

Hi: All... My worst damage happened during a trip thru NFLD in 2019. Hit a short sharp washout on the side of the highway that slammed the trailer hard enough to crack the battery case and alloy the juice to dribble out onto the trailer floor. What a mess!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by KLRchickie

While airing down tires when off the pavement is *key* to arriving in camp with less shooken up vehicle contents, the pressure recommended here is _VERY_ low and tire damage is likely for all but the lightest of vehicles.

Removing 10-15% of the hot (measured) tire pressure when you leave the pavement will add a huge degree of comfort for passengers and contents on gravel/dirt roads. The exact pressure desired will be dependent on weight and speed.

I'm glad you brought this up. The load capacity of the very popular Goodyear Endurance ST205/75R15 tire for example falls to 1220# at 25PSI. That would likely put the tandem axle Escapes total tire capacity just under their GVWR. Of course some weight is on the tongue, not tires, and if you are loaded moderately with regards to cargo carrying capacity you would likely still be fine. On the other hand a single axle Escape like the 17 loaded even 500# under the 3500 GVWR would have their tires overloaded at this lower pressure. Approach the GVWR and the tires on a 17 would be overloaded by as much as 350# each.

[MyronL]

Do not leave home without one.

[AllanEdie]

Originally Posted by rubicon327

I'm glad you brought this up. The load capacity of the very popular Goodyear Endurance ST205/75R15 tire for example falls to 1220# at 25PSI. That would likely put the tandem axle Escapes total tire capacity just under their GVWR. Of course some weight is on the tongue, not tires, and if you are loaded moderately with regards to cargo carrying capacity you would likely still be fine. On the other hand a single axle Escape like the 17 loaded even 500# under the 3500 GVWR would have their tires overloaded at this lower pressure. Approach the GVWR and the tires on a 17 would be overloaded by as much as 350# each.

Can you share where you obtained the data on tire pressure vs. load capacity for the Endurance tires please?

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by AllanEdie

Can you share where you obtained the data on tire pressure vs. load capacity for the Endurance tires please?

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

[AllanEdie]

Originally Posted by rubicon327

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

Thanks, much appreciated. Given the gross weight of the E21 (~5000lbs), and four tires, only ~30psi seems needed for safe operation. I am not sure whether a dual designation would apply to a twin axle trailer though. If it does, psi might have to be higher than 30psi. I have been running ~40psi, so perhaps still a bit high.

Tire wear on our Endurance tires looks even though, and we have just about worn them out, so 40psi can't be too far off the mark.