Your RV tires read max. 50 psi and you have aired them up to 50 psi thinking that you have set them at the right inflation and pressure. But wait! Why does the trailer behind your vehicle suddenly feel very shaky and starts bouncing when heavy vehicles pass by? It happens because the travel trailer tire pressure is incorrect. Maximum tire pressure does not mean that you have to inflate the tires at that pressure.
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Finding the Correct Tire Pressure for Travel Trailer
Maintaining the correct tire pressure is critical for ensuring road safety. Replacing a damaged or blown-out tire is costly and a bad tire can cause accidents on the road too. To slow out the wearing rate, you have to inflate them to correct psi.
The psi is specified to the tires depending on the weight carrying capacity of a travel trailer. Somewhere inside the vehicle, you will find a label mentioning the maximum psi. The label might be missing in some motorhomes. In that case, check the owner’s manual or contact the dealer to get the right information.
The tire’s sidewall displays ratings including the information regarding the tire pressure. If the tires come with the trailer, then the psi on the sidewall and inside the vehicle will be the same or have a slight difference.
What Is the Correct Travel Trailer Tire Pressure?
How do you know what is the correct camper tire pressure? There is no definitive answer. Different travel trailers require different tire pressures. Plus, the psi ratings could be different based on the tire types.
What is the average recommended trailer tire pressure? The tire pressure of most travel trailers remains between 40 and 65 psi. The ratings are for trailers that weigh somewhere from 1,500 lbs to 15,000 lbs. Remember that you don’t have to set the psi at this range. These are just average figures.
Finding the Right PSI for Your Trailer
How do you choose the psi when the trailer tires say, suppose, max. psi 70lbs? Every tire manufacturer publishes a tire load and RV tire pressure chart. However, not everyone is skilled enough to calculate the precise inflation pressure from the load and psi tables.
The trailer’s front left corner is likely to have a Federal Certification Tag or label, displaying GVWR, GAWR, and tire inflation pressure. This pressure is determined according to the weight of the trailer. This is accurate if the vehicle does not have to carry any extra weight. But this is not possible as the vehicle will carry load and passengers.
The inflation pressure etched on the tire’s sidewall is the maximum amount of inflation for a tire given that it is carrying a full load. The sidewall also carries information about the tire’s max load range.
When the vehicle is not overloaded, the air pressure in the tire should be somewhere between the numbers mentioned on the Federal Certification Tag and the tire’s sidewall. You should never exceed the maximum pressure molded on the sidewall.
To maintain the ideal travel trailer tire pressure, you should ensure that both ends of the axle have the same inflation pressure.
In case if you are replacing an old tire, you should check whether the psi on the new tires is similar to the old ones. Also, the psi of the new tires should not be less than the number mentioned on the trailer’s tag. The tag’s pressure indicates the minimum that the tires should have to carry the trailer’s weight. Pressure lower than that the tires will not be capable of bearing that load. On the contrary, if the psi is higher than the old tires, the trailer may not ride ideally.
RV Trailer Tire Pressure Tips
Following these tips will help you maintain the right travel trailer tire pressure and avoid accidental over-inflation.
- Never set a tire pressure because another RVer or your neighbor has set it. Two trailers are always different and the tire pressure is related to the vehicle’s weight capacity and the current load.
- Always refer to the owner’s manual when you need to find out the recommended tire pressure and maximum weight capacity.
- Purchase a good-quality RV tire pressure monitoring system for real-time report/warning about tire pressure status.
- Don’t pull a motorhome with under-inflated tires. The air pressure should never be less than the amount needed for the bulk placed on the tires.
- The tires should never have less pressure than what’s mentioned on the certification tag. No matter how heavy a load you are carrying on the trailer, the pressure should be equal or more than the number mentioned on the tag.
- The psi mentioned on the sidewalls indicate the maximum tire pressure. Never inflate the tires more than that recommended pressure.
By understanding the right tire pressure for your travel trailer/RV, you can ensure the safety for your family in RV camping trips!
My RV tire reads ,, ST225/75R15,, on ther side wall it reads 80 max psi,, question: do i have to run them at 80 psi, or can i run them at 65 psi, pros and cons of doing this,, RV weighs approximately 6,650 lbs
You probably need a bit hifher then 65psi, but not the full 80 psi.
And so probably, because mostly the 65 psi is yust enaugh fir the weight on tires and 65mph. The E-load 80 psi tire is stiffer, so has smaller surface on the ground, wich has to be compensated by higher pressure to give the same deflection.
For single axle trailer, often the D- load 65psi would need fi 70 psi to give it comfortable reserve, then tge E- load 80 psi would need mayby 75 or 80 psi.
Greatings from an hobby pugheaded Dutch selfddclared tirepressure-specialist( so you can yudge the reliability of my answer.