tire pressures - 3124

[Gwenne & Len]

Have switched to Goodyear Defender tires on the 3124. Max Inflation on the E load rated tire is 80 PSI. Since E is a class high, would lower pressure be advisable considering the tradeoffs between mileage, harshness, and tire stress.

[Bill]

The only reason to reduce tire pressure would be to reduce "harshness". In other words, running the TM on tires inflated to 80 psi is like running them on solid wheels, and may shake the TM more than you like. Think screws popping out, cabinets opening and spilling contents - that kind of stuff.

Please read tireman9's comments on reducing inflation, recently posted in the Tires Tires Tires forum. I believe he says that reducing pressure reduces the load-carrying capacity of a tire, bit if you reduce to 65 psi, you will still have the capacity of Load Range D tire, which is plenty, and less shaking.

Your post will be moved to the Tires forum shortly.

Bill

[tentcamper]

We have a 3023 and are running LR-E between 60 and 65 PSI. keep playing with the PSI. I think with the load to PSI chart it should be around 50 PSi. But I like a little more margin

[Padgett]

Keep in mind that the load vs psi chart is just a machine calculation. A tire is designed to meet a certain load range and size. The load range determines the max psi and the size determines the air chamber volume. After that it is just a table look-up. Who made it has nothing to do with it.

"ST" and nylon caps have nothing to do with the load rating.

[tentcamper]

I think the charts are a good starting place. I like to start with the chars's recommended PSI and add a little for speed and a little for weight margin. Plus with greater PSI there is less rolling resistance. I realize I might be causing a little more ware on the center of the tread. But I have never worn out a set of trailer trailer tire before they were replaced for age, except when I has a suspension problem.

[ShrimpBurrito]

My SOP has been using LRE tires inflated to 65 psi. This was after my initial experience with LRE tires quite a few years ago where I had them inflated to their max pressure of 80 psi. Definitely not recommended -- as Bill eluded to, all kinds of things broke loose in the TM. My detailed experience is described somewhere on the forum, but bottom line is 80 psi creates a much too hard of a tire for the TM as equipped.

Dave