Tire pressure

[steve dunham]

Originally Posted by Iowa Dave

Hi Steve
Are you back from Pilot Knob and if so how was it? I like that area of the state. My son does not have a Camper but he likes getting out. He’s got a big outfitter tent. However this week he’s rented a cabin at a county park in Clay county. He’s got a one and a half year old so a handful for sure. I was looking at the park he’s going to be at as a possible rally site in the future. It’s Scharnberg park. Looks pretty nice.
I remember going up into the CCC built observation tower at Pilot Knob but it’s been 50 years. I’ve drank a lot of Kool aid since then, some almost killed me.
Iowa Dave

The area , park and Forest City were very nice . The camp host was a real gem .
The camp sites at Pilot Knob are in many cases , small , close together and extremely sloped
Our original campsite - #45 was so out of level that we could not level up our Escape using far more lumber than we were comfortable with
The Camp host moved us to site # 17 where we were able to level our trailer but the trailer in site # 16 was less than 10 ft from our trailer door . It was like camping at a KOA

The camp host tried to get us a site at McIntosh Woods SP but being Labor Day Weekend everything was booked

We plan on making several trips to Iowa next Summer . Iowa has so many great parks & attractions and we hope to have enough time to see them all .
My wife wants to visit Southern Iowa but I am leery that it maybe too warm during summer ,so maybe next fall or winter when things cool off a little .

[Iowa Dave]

Originally Posted by steve dunham

The area , park and Forest City were very nice . The camp host was a real gem .
The camp sites at Pilot Knob are in many cases , small , close together and extremely sloped
Our original campsite - #45 was so out of level that we could not level up our Escape using far more lumber than we were comfortable with
The Camp host moved us to site # 17 where we were able to level our trailer but the trailer in site # 16 was less than 10 ft from our trailer door . It was like camping at a KOA

The camp host tried to get us a site at McIntosh Woods SP but being Labor Day Weekend everything was booked

We plan on making several trips to Iowa next Summer . Iowa has so many great parks & attractions and we hope to have enough time to see them all .
My wife wants to visit Southern Iowa but I am leery that it maybe too warm during summer ,so maybe next fall or winter when things cool off a little .

Lacey Keosaqua is a real nice park with “redeveloped” campsites that are pretty large, level and well surfaced. We have camped there in late April a few times and it’s never been hot then. After about mid September it’s pretty much lost the summer heat and if it gets to 80 it’s an exceptionally warm day.
Some of the older state parks that haven’t been “upgraded” did not have the respect for level sites we’ve come to appreciate and expect. Even at Pikes Peak, regrading and renumbering had been done just the fall before we had the rally last year. Some sites were still tight between the big trees. I’ve been to well over half of the state parks in my time but to get an up to date feel takes an on site recon mission sometimes. Thanks for the report.
Iowa Dave

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by C&G in FL

Just a suggestion.........

Before listening to the so-called tire “gurus” who are really all over the place with their advice based upon their “irrefutable tire knowledge,” perhaps you should call the tire manufacturer. The manufacturers do not formulate ST tire inflation charts just for something to do when they are bored, or if they print them just to waste paper. I still hear people claim that batteries must not be stored on concrete. That may have been true when battery cases were made out of rubber, but not when plastic is the material of choice. Too many people have chosen to drink the grape Kool-Ade and since some tire KIA has told them “always inflate to maximum sidewall pressure” they believe it as if it were carved in stone and they perpetuate the belief. Just because someone is a tire retailer, it does not make them a tire expert. They are not like doctors, pharmacists, or other specialists who have to take a test and be certified before they can pass out advice. The two manufacturer customer service reps I have spoken with (Carlisle and Goodyear) regarding trailer tires have both referred me to the inflation chart based upon load weight.

Hi Carl our tires are Maxixis d rated . The trailer seems to ride pretty smooth . We do have tire sensors too. The tires do not seem to get as hot as the Carlisle’s did going down the 5 on extreme hot days . Sometimes watching the tire temps rise was pretty frightening on the c Carlisle’s . Really like these tires a lot better . Noticed the tire temp will rise just sitting there with the heat . I think we are alright ? Pat

[Rossue]

Originally Posted by Bill and Earline

We still don't know what tires HARLEYRK has on the new 21. Hopefully we'll hear something before the 75 PSI beats his trailer to death.

Maybe somebody else with a new trailer can tell us about these new mystery tires.

Isn't Escape using Rainier Load Range D tires now for over a year?

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by Rossue

Isn't Escape using Rainier Load Range D tires now for over a year?

Hi: Rossue... IMHO I thought ETI used tires ready mounted on Dexter axles so the brand would not be their choice!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[C&G in FL]

Originally Posted by Patandlinda

Hi Carl our tires are Maxixis d rated . The trailer seems to ride pretty smooth . We do have tire sensors too. The tires do not seem to get as hot as the Carlisle’s did going down the 5 on extreme hot days . Sometimes watching the tire temps rise was pretty frightening on the c Carlisle’s . Really like these tires a lot better . Noticed the tire temp will rise just sitting there with the heat . I think we are alright ? Pat

Hi Pat,

I wasn’t criticizing anyone or telling anyone that their tires were overinflated. Inflation pressure is a users choice. My point was that lots of people have been told that they should inflate their tires to the maximum pressure listed on the sidewalk, the key word being maximum. All I was saying is that is faulty information/advice. The tire manufacturers will tell you to inflate based upon the weight of the load shown on the tire’s inflation chart. If your trailer rides fine at whatever PSI you are using, fine. If, however, the trailer is bouncing around and cabinet contents are being scrambled, then the tires are overinflated for the load. Although Bubba or Billy Bob, who are nice guys and manage local tire stores tell me that I should be inflating the tires to the max, I tend to believe that the tire manufacturer knows a bit more than either of them.

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by C&G in FL

Hi Pat,

I wasn’t criticizing anyone or telling anyone that their tires were overinflated. Inflation pressure is a users choice. My point was that lots of people have been told that they should inflate their tires to the maximum pressure listed on the sidewalk, the key word being maximum. All I was saying is that is faulty information/advice. The tire manufacturers will tell you to inflate based upon the weight of the load shown on the tire’s inflation chart. If your trailer rides fine at whatever PSI you are using, fine. If, however, the trailer is bouncing around and cabinet contents are being scrambled, then the tires are overinflated for the load. Although Bubba or Billy Bob, who are nice guys and manage local tire stores tell me that I should be inflating the tires to the max, I tend to believe that the tire manufacturer knows a bit more than either of them.

Carl no problem . I didn’t take your advice that way . I don’t know if we are carrying less stuff or what because a few times the trailer was bouncing going down the road on the Carlisle’s. Never now. Just glad never see those high temps that scared me anymore . I think on the old Carlisle’s we were inflated about 48 lb. also they got flats . Just didn’t like or trust them . Pat

[Nindy]

I had my original Carlisle tires for 24,063 miles until a blowout in one and nail in the other 15 minutes from a Walmart so I purchased two new Goodyear Marathons there.

I got 26,824 miles out of them, well barely, they were getting pretty bald and I probably should've replaced them a bit sooner. Got Goodyear Endurance a couple weeks ago.

I still have the original Carlisle spare tire which will be 6 years old in January but I'm thinking I might wait another 2.5 years or so until the next tires to replace that?

I found this on the Goodyear website which has tire inflation guidelines based on weight so it looks like I'm good to run them on my 17B at 50-55 psi instead of the 65 psi maximum pressure.

https://www.goodyearrvtires.com/tire...n-loading.aspx

Linda

[Nindy]

Originally Posted by C&G in FL

If, however, the trailer is bouncing around and cabinet contents are being scrambled, then the tires are overinflated for the load

I just came home from my property 320 miles away and was puzzled by more things out of place than usual in the trailer! I did have the new tires at about 62 psi.

[Iowa Dave]

Hi Linda
One thing you could do is to replace your spare with a new Endurance now and put it into a rotation with the other two. You’d probably be able to go about 4 years based on what you’ve been doing. And still have a tire “the best one at that time that would serve as a spare for another couple years. It’s kind of sad to me to have tires age out hanging on the spare tire carrier. Also 62 might be a little high for the Endurance tires. Maybe drop down 6 or 7 psi for the next trip. Hope you are having a good summer and keeping real busy with your work.
Iowa Dave

[tractors1]

Retired mechanical engineer - I trust the manufacturers psi vs load tables far more than a tire salesman. Biggest problem I see - curious what percentage of trailer owners actually bother to take their trailer, fully loaded for travel, to a scale and actually weigh it. I'd guess less than 10% can make the time to do it right.................

[Nindy]

Originally Posted by Iowa Dave

Hi Linda
One thing you could do is to replace your spare with a new Endurance now and put it into a rotation with the other two. You’d probably be able to go about 4 years based on what you’ve been doing. And still have a tire “the best one at that time that would serve as a spare for another couple years. It’s kind of sad to me to have tires age out hanging on the spare tire carrier. Also 62 might be a little high for the Endurance tires. Maybe drop down 6 or 7 psi for the next trip. Hope you are having a good summer and keeping real busy with your work.
Iowa Dave

I thought about rotating a new Endurance spare. Maybe I will do that. Would I just keep moving them in a circle, driver to passenger to spare? Or do you keep them on their respective sides and rotate alternately with the spare?? Although when they only last 25,000 miles there wouldn't be that much rotating. How many miles do you go between rotations? And I do plan on dropping them down on the psi. I think the cold weather coming up will do that for me, haha.

Yes, having a great summer, staying safe, but keeping busy outdoors and back to traveling monthly to the Ozarks land so not that much different than regular life when you live alone. Just a lot less responsibilities which I'm getting used to! Hope you're doing well, Dave.

[Nindy]

Originally Posted by tractors1

Retired mechanical engineer - I trust the manufacturers psi vs load tables far more than a tire salesman. Biggest problem I see - curious what percentage of trailer owners actually bother to take their trailer, fully loaded for travel, to a scale and actually weigh it. I'd guess less than 10% can make the time to do it right.................

Sister and daughter of mechanical engineers with a bit of the gene - I have done it several times and have a good idea of what everything weighs, trailer and tow!

[Iowa Dave]

I’m not especially aware of different kinds of commerce or weighing opportunities outside of the Midwest but the CAT scale system that’s available at truck stops in the Midwest and other scales “for pay” that are available at other truck stops throughout the country are one way to get things weighed. In addition in our area we can often get free weighing at rock quarries, grain elevators, and landfills. If the scales are not busy it’s often possible to roll on with the trailer hooked up, get a total weight, roll off and drop the trailer and then get back on the scale with just the tow rig gives the trailer owner the basics. Then the tongue weight scale comes in
to play. It doesn’t take long and calling ahead to find out when the best time would be helps too. I usually weigh each spring at a local quarry. They are so accommodating that they even print the scale ticket for me at no charge. Might be the fact that I’ve bought from them for a lot of years when I need stone or sand. I weigh without the weight distributing hitch hooked up. Right or wrong, that’s what I do. Last year we were loaded and ready to head for Osoyoos the next morning.
I was not in the mood but knew I was loaded pretty heavy for a three week plus trip. So dog and all we went to the quarry, I was relieved to get the weights, figure out I was ok on vehicle GVW and under the recommended weight of trailer weight. Back home I weighed the tongue and I was ok with that weight too. It was a good peace of mind
and I knew that for the rest of the season I’d be loaded lighter so in that case, once a season was enough.
YMMV
Iowa Dave

[John in Santa Cruz]

in the ST205/75R15 size our Escapes take, load range C tires are rated for 50 PSI max, D tires at 65, and E tires at 80 (I think). but our trailers only need range C weights, so even if you're running a D tire, you run it at the range C pressure as that corresponds with the max rated actual loads on the trailer.

if you look at the tire inflation charts, you'll see that at the range C weights, the D and E tires spec the same optimal pressure, they are range D because they *can* go heavier at 65 PSI.

Its the same thing with LT truck tires...

[Iowa Dave]

Originally Posted by Nindy

I thought about rotating a new Endurance spare. Maybe I will do that. Would I just keep moving them in a circle, driver to passenger to spare? Or do you keep them on their respective sides and rotate alternately with the spare?? Although when they only last 25,000 miles there wouldn't be that much rotating. How many miles do you go between rotations? And I do plan on dropping them down on the psi. I think the cold weather coming up will do that for me, haha.

Yes, having a great summer, staying safe, but keeping busy outdoors and back to traveling monthly to the Ozarks land so not that much different than regular life when you live alone. Just a lot less responsibilities which I'm getting used to! Hope you're doing well, Dave.

I have the tandem axles so five tires in rotation, I do it myself and I roll them spare to right rear, right rear to right front, right front to left front. Left front to left rear and left rear onto the spare holder. I do this at about 7,500 to 8,000 miles I’m at 37,500 miles on these five in three years and two months and will rotate one more time before replacement. I’m currently at 5 to 6/32 except for the one that’s run the farthest and is about to go on the spare. If I make say 43,000 total miles at replacement that would equal about 34,300 miles per tire. But I also will not age out any unused tires. Again, that’s the way I operate and others see it differently.
Iowa Dave

[John in Santa Cruz]

i run the tires 5 years without any rotations, then the best tire goes on the spare.

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by John in Santa Cruz

in the ST205/75R15 size our Escapes take, load range C tires are rated for 50 PSI max, D tires at 65, and E tires at 80 (I think). but our trailers only need range C weights, so even if you're running a D tire, you run it at the range C pressure as that corresponds with the max rated actual loads on the trailer.

if you look at the tire inflation charts, you'll see that at the range C weights, the D and E tires spec the same optimal pressure, they are range D because they *can* go heavier at 65 PSI.

Its the same thing with LT truck tires...

Happier with range D’s . A lot sturdier tire . I removed 2 at a time at home , took to get installed and balanced . Then reinstalled and brought the other two to install and balance . The sidewalls on new Maxis tires were a lot sturdier . I think all of us carry different weights on our trailers and can’t be put in the same box . All I know no bounce , no high heat generated on highways , at 5 years stable ride and no flats . So at 60 not going to change and happy with these tires . Pat

[John in Santa Cruz]

Originally Posted by Patandlinda

Happier with range D’s . A lot sturdier tire ....

totally agree. long time local tire store that I trust, they stocked these mastertrack tires in my size, load range D, anything else was special order and take a couple days... . said they put them on all the local contractors and government trailers, they hold up and last, they sell a dozen sets a week. time will tell. price was right.

oh, and when I asked about bringing the wheels in, they said don't bother, same price, so I made an appointment, showed up, they had me park in back, leave the trailer hitched, and they had the curb side almost off before I walked to the office... 30 mins later, 4 new shiny tires...



not so shiny after a 1200 mile trip, hah hah. oh, the E21 at 4500 lb GWR, is putting 1000 lbs on each tire and 500 lbs on the hitch (measured). I run these at 50 PSI, and thats still rated for 1800 lbs each. I think my estimated weight per tire, and the ST trailer tire pressure charts for a ST205/75R15 suggest I could go as low as 35 PSI and still be rated for 1380 lbs each (load range B in this size). 50 PSI is range C which is what the trailer was designed around. works for me.

[Patandlinda]

Originally Posted by John in Santa Cruz

totally agree. long time local tire store that I trust, they stocked these mastertrack tires in my size, load range D, anything else was special order and take a couple days... . said they put them on all the local contractors and government trailers, they hold up and last, they sell a dozen sets a week. time will tell. price was right.

Sounds good John . Since I had to handle both tires taking off and installing . Also picking up my D’s what a difference . Had my first flat on Carlisle’s in about 6 mo . Pat