Tire pressure on trailer

[AlanB]

I find myself in a quandry with our dump trailer.

I may have these numbers slightly wrong, but they are close.

12K 6X10 dump trailer deck over

15" ST tires, 80psi max on sidewall.

Spends 1/2 its life running empty, 15% running lightly loaded, and 35% grossed out or a little over

Tires are chewing out the center of the tread and wearing poorly.

Thought about dropping pressures to even out the wear some.

When I checked my tires were 40 and 45psi.

So,,,,,, Tires barely meet max load requirements as is, which would be max inflation. I just don't see changing air pressure each time we load and unload that trailer, not happy with the center wear of the tire, but do not like the idea of dropping the pressure lower to smooth out the tire.

I guess I have talked myself into a circle of doing nothing.

Any suggestions?

 

[Reg]

The 1/2 of it's life that it is running empty is NOT wearing out the center strip of the tires, even if you had them up to the full 80 psi. The lack of a load, etc.
My guess is that the axles are mis-aligned, perhaps not parallel to each other.

 

[Egon]

My trailer tires, Marathon, are always at the maximum inflation 65 PSI. no trouble with the centers wearing out.

The truck tires are also at maximum inflation, 80 PSI, with no center wearing problems.

 

[Bird]

Wearing more in the center than on either outside edge is usually an indication of over inflation; however, if it says 80 psi on the sidewall, I'd never run them less than 64 psi (80% of maximum which is what B.F. Goodrich - and I believe other manufacturers recommend for a minimum). In your case, I think I'd be looking for some other cause such as axle alignment.

 

[Flywheel]

First off - I think 15" tires and wheels are too small for a 12K trailer.

I guess you have 5k lb axles or so - also, what tires do you have that are 15" and 80 PSI ST tires - I am not familiar with any....

Are they balanced? Also, how many axles have brakes - are they getting locked up?

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On edit - i found the Carlisle makes one - rated at 2800lbs.... Anyway - max out the pressure in the tires - all they do is roll along....

 

[AlanB]

I doubt they are balanced, I have not looked again, but am guessing my tires are underrated for the axles.

Yes, they get locked up more often then I would care to admit as we change from loaded to unloaded and don't adjust the Prodigy.

Both axles are brake axles.

I would agree to max out the pressure on the tires, except I am already chewing off the center tread, and wonder if that will make it worse.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Off the subject but something to check is your tire gauge. I had one that was off 30 psi. If I had a tire at 60 psi it was actually at 90. I am surprised I never had a tire blow up while inflating.

Chris

 

[KSopocy]

What brand are the tires? There may lie your problem. Had some Goodyears two years ago on a dump trailer that did the same thing. Goodyear replaced them once and they did the same thing again. JUNK Design. Center of the tire would wear out or just plain peel out of the tire. Probably more the fault of not being bonded together correctly.

 

[Rara Avis]

Check to see if they're chinese...there have been several recalls...or if they're Carlisle...replace them...