While I’m not a China tire advocate, many of them are well built. The simple fact is the big tire companies i.e. Goodyear, Michelin, Bridgestone, are the ones who shared their expertise and technology to them. Keep in mind the technology and molds are their aged tech.

My issue with them was trying to compete against them price wise as they were able to flood the US market making it difficult to hold margins so one could sustain a company. With the tariffs it has leveled the playing field better.

All that being said, you shouldn’t need to monitor these tires anymore or less then say a Bridgestone or Michelin. The important point is to know your weight of each axle (individual tire weights are the best and preferred method but can be difficult unless you find a rally that can properly measure each wheel position). Always inflate all trailer tires to handle the heaviest wheel position. Using a load and inflation chart will guide you to the best air pressure to use. Forget about about the “tribal knowledge” or myths to overinflate the tires by 5 psi over the recommended pressure based on the load and inflation chart.

Finally, as you monitor the tires look for edge wear on any particular wheel position as it may be a sign of an axle misalignment. Also, for cupping. As most trailer tires are not balanced, any small cupping will grow rapidly as that tire bounces down the highway. I’m a big advocate in balancing the trailer tires when new. As long as the weights stay in position during the tires life you should improve the life quite a bit in comparison to not balancing the assembly.

Thank you for your input. Since this is my first trailer of this type and size (only had boat trailers and small pop-up camper in the past) I put the TPMS system on board. It was really interesting to see how that system monitored the 5th wheel on the 300 mile trip home. For example, on a 100 mile section of the trip I had a very strong side wind. The tires on the downwind side of the trailer were running 8 to 10 degrees hotter than those on the winded side. I would have expected that to happen since additional force is being applied to that side of the RV, it was just interesting to see it show up on the TPMS. Since the tires have 1000 miles on them I crawled under the trailer to check the tires on both sides for any unusual ware or blemishes.

A question on inflating the tires. They say to inflate them to 95psi cold. To me a cold temperature resting would be ambient temperature at the time. So if, on a 40 degree day like today, I air them to 95 psi I would have the tires overinflated on a 75 degree day?

I look forward to weighing each axle at some point Rikl but will have to find a place I can do that at some time in the future. I wonder if there are any events to be held in Iowa that I could do that at some point.

I don't plan on setting any kind of speed records on the road. These tires are rated 81 mph but I plan to stay between 55 and 65 mph where ever I go. After pulling the trailers I've had in the past and putting many, many thousands of miles on a motorcycle I have learned to be fairly conservative in running down the road.

Thanks again for all the support. I will probably have a lot more questions in the future as I try to wrap my head around owning such a device!

Jon

Cyride wrote:

A question on inflating the tires. They say to inflate them to 95psi cold. To me a cold temperature resting would be ambient temperature at the time. So if, on a 40 degree day like today, I air them to 95 psi I would have the tires overinflated on a 75 degree day?

Jon

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 You are correct in that “cold“ refers to ambient temperature (when the inside tire temperature is the same as the outside temperature). Inflating to max pressure just means the tire is at its maximum carrying capacity. Which could mean you are way over inflated compared to your actual weight being carried. This could result in irregular wear patterns on the tire. 

Best method is to inflate to the proper PSI prior to moving the trailer every morning. Then just monitor the tires but do not adjust the pressures during the day based on temp or altitude. Don’t get all tied up in nominal pressure increases or temps as you travel. Most new tires are cured at approximately 350° so temps that can bounce up to 190° don’t spell immediate disaster. 

Personally as I travel I only monitor tire temperatures. If all 4 tires on the trailer are within a couple of degrees of each other I’m fine. Keep in mind that the side the sun hits may be higher. So the sunny side may be at say 145° for both, while the other side may be at 140° for both. I also check the bearing temps by “shooting“ the wheel centers, not just the tire sidewalls. 

FastEagle wrote:

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The correct inflation pressures for your tires is provided in the vehicle owner's manual, on the tire placard and vehicle certification label.

Inflating tires to the load carried defeats the load capacity reserves the vehicle manufacturer has provided with the inflation pressures recommended for the Original Equipment tires.

Point to remember; tire manufacturer's do not set vehicle inflation pressures, that is the responsibility of the vehicle manufacturer

 

Unfortunately this isn’t correct. The placard provided by the manufacturer is to carry the maximum amount of capacity the trailer was designed for. In the event the trailer is loaded lighter then capacity then adjusting the tire pressure will provide the best footprint and wear.

Also, neither the tire nor the trailer manufacturers set the tire pressure. The correct pressures are set off the guidelines determined by the tire and rim association which is made up of representatives of both tire manufacturers and rim/wheel manufacturer. 

 

-- Edited by Rickl on Thursday 21st of November 2019 07:38:58 AM

Rickl wrote:

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FastEagle wrote:

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The correct inflation pressures for your tires is provided in the vehicle owner's manual, on the tire placard and vehicle certification label.

Inflating tires to the load carried defeats the load capacity reserves the vehicle manufacturer has provided with the inflation pressures recommended for the Original Equipment tires.

Point to remember; tire manufacturer's do not set vehicle inflation pressures, that is the responsibility of the vehicle manufacturer

 

Unfortunately this isn’t correct. The placard provided by the manufacturer is to carry the maximum amount of capacity the trailer was designed for. In the event the trailer is loaded lighter then capacity then adjusting the tire pressure will provide the best footprint and wear. That is incorrect. You obviously are not aware of the proper standards provided in the FMVSS as minimum.

Also, neither the tire nor the trailer manufacturers set the tire pressure. The correct pressures are set off the guidelines determined by the tire and rim association which is made up of representatives of both tire manufacturers and rim/wheel manufacturer. The key word above is "set". 

 

The FMVSS clearly identifies and directs the vehicle manufacturer to establish and set recommended cold inflation pressures. FMVSS (standards) are minimum standards therefore the vehicle manufacturer's recommended cold inflation pressures found on the federal certification label for Original Equipment tires is correct and minimum allowed for that fitment.

Inflation tires to the load carried is a FMCSA standard accepted for commercial tires in commercial use. Those standards are not applicable to tires installed on vehicles under FMVSS standards. 

 

The following statement can be found in the NHTSA SAFECAR publication.

"Your tires' proper tire inflation pressure—measured in both kilopascals (kPA) and pounds per square inch (PSI or psi)—can be found on the Tire and Loading label or in your owner's manual."

 

Ref:  FMVSS 571.120 paragraph S5.3.1 Tires. The size designation and the recommended cold inflation pressure for those tires such that the sum of the load ratings of the tires on each axle is appropriate for the GAWR.

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-- Edited by FastEagle on Thursday 21st of November 2019 11:33:12 PM

-- Edited by FastEagle on Thursday 21st of November 2019 11:50:16 PM

Yes I know ... my quoted info was LarryW21 and my question was asked of him.

Most manufactures rely on the Tire and Rim association to help them fit the correct tire/wheel application. That complies with the FMCSA requirements.

 

Tire manufacturers develop load inflation charts for those they manufacturer. The Tire and Rim Association (TRA) has the final approval authority of all tire manufacturers listings; once they have determined they are standardized. Load inflation charts are a tool used by all vehicle manufacturers and tire installers. They are not recommendations. They are standardized values and graduated in increments for ease of use. The FMVSS directs vehicle manufacturers to establish a recommended cold inflation pressure that is appropriate for each individual fitment. How such manufacturer's go about complying with that standard is part of their manufacturing plan. The bottom line is; the recommended cold inflation pressures found on your vehicle's federal certification label are the minimum accepted standard for that vehicle's Original Equipment (OE) tires. The USTMA insures that standard is maintained with a standard that reads, in part; Replacement tires must provide a load capacity via recommended cold inflation pressure that equals the load capacity provided by the OE tires. 

The vehicle manufacturer cannot sidestep a FMVSS requirement. Tire manufacturer's have challanged those standards in the past and have always lost the arguement.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations  are not applicable to vehicles manufactured under the guidance of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS).

The U.S. Tire Manufacturing Association (USTMA) previously the U.S. Rubber Manufacturing Association (RMA) PDF document provided in the reference below may better answer all of your questions. Chapter four is all about RV tires.

https://www.ustires.org/sites/default/files/CareAndService_PassengerAndLightTruckTires.pdf  

 

-- Edited by FastEagle on Saturday 23rd of November 2019 02:12:19 PM

Edit by moderator:  Activated link.  Terry

-- Edited by Terry and Jo on Saturday 23rd of November 2019 02:25:33 PM

Rickl wrote:

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FastEagle wrote:

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https://www.ustires.org/sites/default/files/CareAndService_PassengerAndLightTruckTires.pdf  

 

Sorry, I decided to edit out my last thoughts on tire inflation charts. To me they are a tool to assist in selecting a satisfactory inflation pressure that satisfies tire industry safety standards.

 

 

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-- Edited by FastEagle on Wednesday 27th of November 2019 12:17:20 PM

-- Edited by FastEagle on Wednesday 27th of November 2019 12:24:17 PM