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Old 07-27-2017, 01:13 PM   #1
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Bozeman , Alaska
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Comfortable tire pressure on 25 FB?

Hi. Any thoughts on what people consider a comfortable tire pressure for the 25FB?

Max tire pressure is 80 psi. I seem to recall a number of people saying they like to inflate to 75 psi with a normal fully loaded trailer. But now I can't find those posts.

If it matters, we tow with a Toyota Tundra, are 2 normal size individuals with 2 abnormally large dogs (225 lbs for the dogs total). And we travel with 2 generators and lots of wine!

Apologies in advance if this is a stupid question.
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Old 07-27-2017, 05:35 PM   #2
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I would start with Airstreams and the tire manufacturers recommendation and work from there based on your own comfort level.
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Old 07-28-2017, 07:43 PM   #3
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We used 75 and we have a 25 rear bed 2017 and a tundra 5.8. Seemed comfortable to us.
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Old 07-28-2017, 10:15 PM   #4
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Hi VPLB.... we have the identical rig. I have all 8 wheels at 50 lb PSI... also have centramatics. Very smooth ride for the trailer. Never pop rivets... but we also travel very light
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Old 07-29-2017, 05:40 AM   #5
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I recommend reading this article.

http://www.goodyearrvtires.com/tire-...n-loading.aspx
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Old 07-29-2017, 01:19 PM   #6
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I drive the same rig (25 FB and Tundra... specifically a 2014 CrewMax Limited with 4x4 and the 5.7L with tow package).

I was told by Colonial AS to run the factory 16" Michelins on the AS at their max inflation which is 80 psi cold. Other posters here suggested lower pressures to reduce the shake up of things in the AS. I've run at 65, 70, 75 and 80.

Higher pressures improve gas mileage but shake up the trailer and contents. I now typically run at 70, but wouldn't argue with anyone who picked a number between 60 and 80 and declared it perfect for them.

More critical for your rig (based on my experience) is the pressure on your truck tires. If you have the factory Bridgestone Dueler HL Alenzas you should watch for wear on the outside corners of all four, but especially the front. IMO, the Toyota recommended pressure (30 psi as I recall) is too little. I wore out mine in 30,000 miles doing that. Bridgestone swapped them for Alenza Plus and a 50% discount. I run those at 40 psi normally and at the max which is 44 psi cold for the rear when towing. I've got 35,000 on these already with 30,000 or so left in them.
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Old 07-29-2017, 03:13 PM   #7
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Airstream recommends airing up Michelins "Es" to their placard pressure of 80 Psi.
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Old 07-29-2017, 06:12 PM   #8
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My 25FB (2007) has a label on the side that calls for 65psi
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Old 07-30-2017, 10:23 AM   #9
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Let's take this a bit deeper...

There are multiple wheel sizes, tire sizes and tire manufacturers used on 25' FB Airstreams from the factory. Even more are in use based on what we owners do after we buy them.

My experience is with the 16" wheels and Michelin LTX M/S2 in size 225/75R16. Other configurations (e.g.: Goodyear Marathons on 15" wheels) will have their own answers.

Tire inflation is best viewed as a response to load... not a single answer for all situations even for a specific vehicle. Fortunately for us Michelin users, our tire manufacturer publishes detailed load/inflation tables.

The data for the tire above is on page 22 of this manual: http://www.michelintruck.com/assets/...k_Sept2011.pdf

I just confirmed with Michelin using their online chat service that this 2011 edition is still current and that the M/S tire listed has the same load/inflation,eats as the M/S2 that I have on my trailer.

At 80 psi, the table says for single tire configuration (that's one tire on each end of the axle... which is what we have) the load rating is 5,360 pounds per axle. So, our two axle 25' trailers with those tires at 80 psi are set up for 10,720 pounds of load. I weigh my rig to tune the WD hitch and I know that when loaded for travel the trailer tips the scales at 6,600-6,800 pounds. However, some of that weight is tongue weight which is carried by the truck. Some of that tongue weight is then shifted back to the trailer by the hitch. The actual measurement of weight carried by my trailer's axles was 6,020 pounds at last measurement.

So, at 80 psi, my tires are inflated to carry 178% of their actual load (your figures may vary). That amount of over inflation should appear as excessive wear in the center of the tread pattern. In my experience, with about 30,000 miles on the tires, I see no evidence of wear... certainly no abnormal wear. The only way I know the tires are wearing at all is that it's become easier to snap my x-chocks in place as the space between the tires decreases. Over inflated tires theoretically will also show reduced braking effectiveness since less of the tire's tread is in firm contact with the road surface. Again, I don't see any evidence of that in practice and have been down grades of up to 11% and ask a lot of the trailer's brakes.

Back to the Michelin load/inflation table... the minimum listed pressure for the tires I run is 35 psi which shows a load rating of 3,000 pounds per axle. That's pretty darn close to the actual static load per axle I measure ver the CAT scales. I would not run my tires that low despite the authority the load/inflation table gives me to do so for three reasons: 1. The load is not always balanced evenly between the axles... for example when hitting rough pavement or when going over sharp crests or dips in the road 2. I know from experience that my gas mileage drops with lower trailer tire pressure. Given the already poor fuel economy of the Tundra, I'd need to bring a letter from my bank to head out on our typical spring 6,000 mile trip with that little air in the trailer tires and 3. Lower inflation can lead to higher running temperatures in tires. Despite the load/inflation table data, I'd worry on long stretches of hot highway in summer (think I-70 across Kansas) with the tires that low.

So, as I said above, for me it's 70 psi (measured with tires cold) but I would not debate anyone who said something between 60 and 80 is right for them. Having looked up the technical data from Michelin I might not even debate someone who goes lower although I'd be curious to understand how their experience supports lower running pressure given the three points I noted.

Happy (and safe... and comfortable) camping!
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Old 07-30-2017, 05:04 PM   #10
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The Load & Pressure Tables don't apply to trailer service.

Due to shearing loads on trailer tires -- and especially tandem or tridem axle -- full sidewall pressure is the recommendation.

Do otherwise if wished, but let's keep this consistent.

(See posts by retired tire engineer Tireman9 )
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Old 07-30-2017, 10:57 PM   #11
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Thanks for all the responses. AS tires are Goodyear ST225/75R15. Max psi = 80. Tundra tires are Cooper M+S (which gets us through snow in Montana). Max psi = 50
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Old 07-31-2017, 09:37 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by VPLB View Post
Thanks for all the responses. AS tires are Goodyear ST225/75R15. Max psi = 80. Tundra tires are Cooper M+S (which gets us through snow in Montana). Max psi = 50
The tow vehicle tires should be checked individually at a scale to determine heaviest load per axle. Trailer hitched and WD applied. Then aired to L&P values that are also inside the range specified by the vehicle manufacturer. And tested for pressure rise after driving an hour or two. 10% rise means needs more air. 5-7% is okay (starting from cold reading after sitting overnight).

One wants TV tire pressure neither too high nor low. This finds the low value necessary
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