trailer tire pressure

[nap61]

I have a small (5' X 8') trailer that I use to carry my lawn mower. The tires are 4.80 X 12. One of the tires is low but I can't find the recommended tire pressure. Does anyone know the correct pressure?
Thanks,
Norman

 

[Xfaxman]

It's not printed on the sidewall?

 

[Travelover]

Maximum pressure will be molded into the side wall. I'd run them at maximum pressure as that is also maximum load carrying capacity.

 

[oldballs]

If I had to guess vs seeing it on the sidewall, I go with 30 psi max.

 

[travlitt]

Why not measure the pressure in the other tire and match the low tire pressure to it..

 

[schmism]

Why not measure the pressure in the other tire and match the low tire pressure to it..

assumeing that the 30lb tire is a better choice than the 15lb tire i dont think is a good way of going about it.

I dont know of any tire that doesnt have a recommended inflation listed on the side. If for some odd reason that has been obliterated (seriously stay off the curbs) check out what a replacement tire of the same size recommends. In your case, 4.8x12 load range B is 65 psi which is fairly nominal for those small tires.

If I had to guess vs seeing it on the sidewall, I go with 30 psi max.

This is why i would highly recommend closely inspecting the sidewalls (both sides). Only putting 30lbs in a tire that recommends 65psi is a recipe for disaster.

 

[TxDoc]

I am not a trailer tire salesman, nor a trailer salesman, nor a tire salesman.....

just Googling your trailer tire size...ETrailer had this info:

What is Correct Tire Pressure for a 4.80-12 Size Americana Trailer Tire on a Viking Pop Up Camper | etrailer.com

What is Correct Tire Pressure for a 4.80-12 Size Americana Trailer Tire on a Viking Pop Up Camper

Question:

I have a viking pop up camper epic 1906 Model 510 that has 4.8-12 americana tires on it. What should the tire pressure be ?

asked by: Bill

Expert Reply:

The amount of tire pressure you need in your 4.80-12 Americana tires depends on the load range of the tire.

If it is a load range B, it will need to be at 65 psi like # AM10060.

If it is a load range C, it will need to be at 90 psi like # AM10062.

The trailer tire should state what load range it is on the side wall. Trailer tires should be inflated to their max psi rating listed on the tire sidewall for best performance and longevity.
----------------------------------------------------------
This may have greatly confused your expected results.

If you don't get a definitive answer.....by all means, take your trailer by a reputable tire dealer and have them look and help you out so you get it right. With a guess, you have a 50% chance of being right and a 50% chance of being wrong. Your personal safety and the safety of those you are driving in close proximity to means you need to get it right.

Good luck and let us know what you find out.

ps-the date of manufacture of your tires will be on the sidewall, too. If your tires are old and cracking and splitting, you may need new tires and valve stems. Be careful.

 

[Ken45101]

Check the other side of the tire. Our first camper was that way, the pressure was only molded on to one side and the tire was mounted with that on the inside! I had to crawl under the trailer to find it, but it was there!

I have always wondered about the stupidity of tire manufactures: they emphasize the importance of proper inflation and then make it very hard to find and read! If it's that important, it should be easy to see!

You might also check the trailer ID placard, they often have the ratings and at what pressure.

 

[Bird]

I have a small (5' X 8') trailer that I use to carry my lawn mower. The tires are 4.80 X 12. One of the tires is low but I can't find the recommended tire pressure. Does anyone know the correct pressure?
Thanks,
Norman

30 psi sounds logical, but beware! I don't know the brand of your trailer or tires, but my Carry On trailer of the same size as your trailer and Carlisle tires of the same size as your tires has the tires clearly marked for 90 psi; something that greatly surprised me when I noticed that. And I checked a number of places to be sure it wasn't an error.

 

[yelbike]

Check the other side of the tire. Our first camper was that way, the pressure was only molded on to one side and the tire was mounted with that on the inside! I had to crawl under the trailer to find it, but it was there!

I have always wondered about the stupidity of tire manufactures: they emphasize the importance of proper inflation and then make it very hard to find and read! If it's that important, it should be easy to see!

You might also check the trailer ID placard, they often have the ratings and at what pressure.

Different but the same, some time ago I put e rated tires on my 1/2 ton Tahoe. Doors sticker said 35 psi , side wall said 80 psi. Over the years I settled at 50-60 psi. Trucks gone now.

I'd pump them up to 50 psi, than run over to a tire shop and ask.

 

[Bird]

Different but the same, some time ago I put e rated tires on my 1/2 ton Tahoe. Doors sticker said 35 psi , side wall said 80 psi. Over the years I settled at 50-60 psi. Trucks gone now.

I'd pump them up to 50 psi, than run over to a tire shop and ask.

General Motors did that on at least some of their 3/4 ton SUVs way back in the early '90s; put OEM Uniroyal tires on that were rated for 80 psi and a door sticker that called for much less (I've forgotten exactly what pressure). We were able to warranty some that had bubbles on them (tread separation). I don't know what they'd say now, but I know B. F. Goodrich in the early '90s said to never run a tire at less than 80% of the maximum shown on the sidewall. In other words, with a tire showing 80 psi, never run less than 64 psi.

Of course, you also have to be careful when putting higher load range tires with higher pressure on wheels made for lower pressure. I've actually seen a wheel split when a tire was running at 50 psi on a half ton Chevy pickup that was not intended for those tires and pressure.

 

[nap61]

Thanks for all the replies.
I could not find the pressure recommendation on the sidewall. There was a lot of information- max load(990lb),load range "C", make(Load Star),etc. I finally found a sticker on the trailer that indicated 90psi. That sounds high. I knew smaller tires carry higher pressures (before I saw the sticker) so I put 42psi in and loaded my lawnmower. There was no "squatting" or deflection and the tire looked normal and felt solid. I guess I will go to a tire dealer for more information.

Norman

 

[Bird]

Norman, I'd say your max pressure should be 90 psi (according to their website), so you can do what you want, but I'd never run them at less than 72 psi if it were my trailer.

Trailer Tire 4.80x12 Bias Ply 12 in Load Range C 990lb by Loadstar

 

[nap61]

Bird,
Thanks for the site. That seems to be the same as the tires on my trailer. I am not one to ask for advise then ignore reasonable replies. I have great respect for the opinions of most of the TBN members; particularly those such as you who have experience in various fields.
Thanks again to all who replied.

Norman

 

[oldballs]

If I had to guess vs seeing it on the sidewall, I go with 30 psi max.

What was I thinkin'?( 30 psi max)...Glad somebody caught that! Must of had garden carts on my mind.:confused2: