Setting the Correct Tire Pressure on Your Travel Trailer
My travel trailer has a sticker inside the door stating I should set the tire pressure of 58 psi, but my tires say 80 psi…which do I listen to? – Gene W., Arkansas
This is a frequent question among travel trailer owners, and getting the answer right is crucial for safety and performance. Incorrect tire pressure on your travel trailer can lead to serious problems, including dangerous blowouts and uneven tire wear. Understanding whether to follow the vehicle sticker or the number on the tire sidewall is key to maintaining your rig properly, whether you’re considering how to buy a used travel trailer or maintaining your current one.
Vehicle Sticker vs. Tire Sidewall: The Standard Rule
For most vehicles, including travel trailers, the general rule is to follow the pressure recommended on the sticker located inside your RV, doorjamb, or manual. The number printed on the tire’s sidewall, like the 80 psi Gene saw, is typically the maximum cold pressure. This is the highest amount of air pressure the tire is designed to hold when cold, not the recommended pressure for your specific vehicle’s load.
While this rule holds for many vehicles, some tire manufacturers specifically for trailer tires (like Goodyear, as mentioned in the original source) are now suggesting running at the maximum cold pressure listed on the sidewall. This highlights why understanding your specific tires and manufacturer recommendations is important.
Travel trailer tire and loading information stickerA typical sticker showing recommended tire pressure and loading information for a vehicle.
Why Correct Tire Pressure is Critical
The pressure in your tires directly affects how they contact the road.
- Too Little Pressure: This is the most dangerous scenario. Underinflated tires cause excessive sidewall flexing, leading to overheating. Overheating is the primary cause of tire blowouts on RVs and trailers, which can cause significant damage to the undercarriage. Proper maintenance, including understanding travel trailer wheel bearing grease, is vital.
- Too Much Pressure: Overinflation reduces the tire’s contact patch with the road, decreasing traction and increasing stopping distances. It also results in a harsher ride.
Both under- and over-inflation lead to uneven tire wear, shortening the lifespan of your tires. Critically, slightly too little pressure is almost always worse and more dangerous than being slightly over the recommended pressure (provided you stay below the tire’s maximum).
Illustration showing how incorrect tire pressure affects the tire’s contact patch and shape.
How Manufacturers Determine Sticker Pressure
Tire manufacturers assign a load rating to each tire size and type. This rating indicates the maximum weight a tire can safely carry. RV and travel trailer manufacturers select best tires for a travel trailer with an appropriate load rating for the vehicle’s expected weight. They then consult standard inflation tables provided by tire manufacturers. These tables show the specific tire pressure required for a given load weight to achieve the optimal tire shape and performance. The pressure listed on your RV’s sticker is derived from these calculations based on the vehicle’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and the specified tires.
When to Consider Adjusting Your Pressure
While the vehicle sticker is your starting point, there are instances where you might need to use a different pressure:
- Different Tires: If you have replaced the original tires with a different size or load range.
- Optimization: If you want to achieve the most precise pressure based on your actual loaded weight.
In these situations, relying solely on the sticker might not be optimal. You’ll need to consult inflation tables specific to your new tires, which are readily available online or by contacting the tire manufacturer directly, just as you would research other aspects of your setup, perhaps even thinking about mini ultra lite travel trailers.
Optimizing Tire Pressure Based on Actual Load
For the most accurate pressure setting, especially for travel trailers, the best approach is to weigh your fully loaded rig. Public scales, like CAT scales often found at truck stops, can provide individual axle weights.
- Drive onto the scale, positioning each axle on a separate pad if possible (though trailers are often weighed as a single axle unit even if tandem/triple).
- Obtain your axle weight printout.
- Divide the weight of each axle by the number of tires on that axle (e.g., divide a tandem axle weight by four, or a triple axle weight by six).
- Add a small safety margin (e.g., 10%) to the weight per tire.
- Consult the inflation table for your specific tires to find the pressure corresponding to that adjusted weight per tire.
Using your actual loaded weight ensures your tires are inflated correctly for the load they are carrying, optimizing safety and tire longevity, whether you’re packing for a solo trip or figuring out how to travel with a large dog.
Important Considerations for Trailer Tires
Beyond setting the correct pressure, regular maintenance is key. Checking your tire pressure before every journey is essential. Always check pressure when tires are cold (haven’t been driven recently). Carrying a portable air compressor is highly recommended for topping off tires at campsites or on the road.
Furthermore, understand that trailer tires often “time out” before they “wear out.” The second leading cause of tire blowouts is age. The rubber compounds degrade over time, regardless of tread depth or visible cracks. It’s widely recommended to replace travel trailer tires every four to six years, even if they look good.
Conclusion
Determining the correct tire pressure on your travel trailer is more nuanced than simply reading the sidewall. While the vehicle sticker provides a crucial starting point based on the manufacturer’s calculations for the original setup, optimizing pressure based on your trailer’s actual loaded weight is the ideal method for maximizing safety, performance, and tire life. Always remember that maintaining pressure above the minimum required for the load, but below the tire’s maximum, is key. Regular checks before every trip and being mindful of tire age are equally vital practices for safe travel trailer ownership.
References
- https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=55 (Mentioned in original source for load ratings)
