What tire pressure to you use in your tandem axle trailer tires?

I don't know what the boat and trailer weigh to compare to tire capacity. People have guessed at weight, but I'm also open for suggestions on where to go to get it weighed.

I recently changed trailers on our 20 foot center console bay boat, going from a galvanized single axle with leaf springs and 14" tires, typically running at 50 psi, to an aluminum trailer with tandem torsion axles and 13" tires. I thought 50 psi would be best, but it seems to bounce a lot on certain roads (a stretch of I-10 east of Houston for example) and I wonder if reducing tire pressure would reduce the bouncing any. I've watched other boats on trailers on that stretch of I-10 and they look like they're bouncing too.

The max load rating of the 14" tires I used to to have is the same as the current 13" tires, but each tire is carrying half the load that it used to.

50 psi

If it says the max tire load is so many lbs at 50 psi, i put 50 psi in the tire. Put the amount of air in that the tires states to put in.

I run all of my trailer tires at max pressure as stated on the tire, and I air them cold.

If its got radials u don`t want to drop air pressure??? look at ur title or boat nomenclature tag might or should tell u what it weighs....Bill

run them at the max!

I run mine at 10 psi over max pressure on the tire, Goodyear actually recommends it if your pulling your boat at speeds faster than 65 MPH. I run Goodyear Marathons.

This is true Goodyear says 60psi AND max speed of 65MPH. This is why Bass Cat now use car tires. Cooper Cobra GT's at 45 PSI they carry up to 5000 pounds and are rated to 99MPH

Huh 10 over max psi for over 65mph? Where does it state that? Not calling you guys out would just like to know.

As far as the question just look up your boat weight and add for engine, gas and so on, then just check on tire maker's suggestions.

I have a 21 bass boat with tandem axle and put between 35 and 40 according to goodyear marathon suggestions and keep it under 65mph.

And why do you need to pull a trailer going faster than 65 mph?
No reason to pull a trailer that fast.

i pull my boat over 65 all the time

Bass boats in particular tow well. I think it is the lower profile and weight distribution. Last year on THF a guy posted about getting a ticket for not obeying the posted speed for towing a trailer. He said the officer told him that the rules applied to all but boat trailers.

If you want to weigh your rig then just find a truck stop. Most of them have scales.

Just a thought for everyone, hooked up the flatbet last night to go to ranch after work today, all tires were 15psi low, cold weather is hear check them before you drag it accross the world!

matt

Congrats, im sure alot of others do as well, however, i dont for safety reasons. I cant stop as quick with a boat behind me going 70 as i can going 55 or 60.

I had a link to the PDF for nearly 5 years, I just clicked on the link and it now takes you to the Goodyear RV tire site... weird. I'll try and find the PDF and get it on here, but it is fact and did come straight from Goodyear.
I typically pull my boat at 70-75 MPH everywhere that traffic will allow me to do so, especially on the interstate where there is a 70 mph speed limit. Going 60-65 MPH is a good way to get yourself run over on the interstate.

Ever find the link?

Towed 500 miles recently never came close to being run over

Goodyear Marathons all have R rated tires. That stands for a maximum speed of 106 mph.
The maximum tire pressures are anywhere from 50 to 85 depending on the particular Marathon tire you buy.

I would never over inflate a tire. I would like to see where Goodyear or anyone is recommending a tire inflation over what they list as a maximum tire pressure for their tires. That makes no sense to me at all.

The Goodyear link has been posted on here several times. I dont let mine get below 50 pounds. And i allways check before making a trip more than 20 miles. If your marathons say made in china, make sure you have a good spare or two on long trips.

Mine say china on the sidewall.... 500 miles... No problems

Dude really have a smoke and take a breath we're talking about tire pressure here, no need in your sarcasm. If you drive 65 mph or less congrats, thats your choice and I respect that.. this is a public forum if you cant show respect for others with differing opinions or choices then your in the wrong place.

Despite a valiant effort I cant find an actual working link to the PDF anywhere, I did however find a page after googling "Goodyear Marathon Tire Pressure" that had the text from the bulletin copy and pasted, and also found a full page of articles on another forum regarding this...

From the Goodyear Bulletin:

"Important Operating Information: Industry standards dictate that tires with the ST (Special Trailer) designation are speed restricted to 65 mph under normal inflation and load conditions, unless a different restriction is indicated on the sidewall of the tire.

Based upon industry standards, if tires with the ST disignation are used at speeds between 66 and 75 mph, it is necessary to increase the cold inflation pressures by 10 psi above the recommended pressure for the load.

- Do no exceed maximum pressure for the wheel.

- If the maximum pressure for the wheel prohibits the increase of air pressure, then the maximum speed must be restricted to 65 mph.

- The cold inflation pressure must not exceed 10 psi beyond the inflation specified for the maximum load of the tire.

http://www.tirerack.com/images/tires/goodyear/Marathon_Special_Trailer_Applications.pdf

Found it on the Marathon page on Tire Rack.

You keep running them with 35 pounds in them you'll have problems. They have had a bad run of tires from china that have been giving them a bad name lately. The marathons from US and Canada have been great.

I hate driving on I-10, and towing on I-10 really stinks. There are not enough places to change a tire. Everything bounces on I-10, and the first chance I get, I head North to I-20.

I always tow with the max PSI 81 (ok, well it says 80psi), and I found that using Nitrogen in my tires has prevented the tires from heating. People may claim that you are only fooling yourself and wasting money by putting Nitrogen in your trailer tires, but I found my tire presure very constant. I start at 81psi, and 200+ miles down the road (Plano to Huntsville) still have 81 psi, when I stop fuel and bathroom break, while towing very early AM in August.

Prior to long tows, I stop at the local City Garage, have them remove the valve stems with tires still on the trailer, and then fill with Nitrogen to a PSI of 81.