A ? for you tire guys...

[LonnieB]

Rick, after a search of all info we have here by myself, and the other manager, we have come up with no definate load/inflation table on the ST235/80R16. I have our distributors checking, but have nothing yet. Everything goes to 3000 lbs. and stops. I'm going to agree with Glenn and his educated guess, it should get you very close.

[rickfox]

Glenn and Lonnie,

Does this mean that I should be running with 70 - 75 psi in the Mission tires rather than the 80 psi max pressure? I have been running 72 psi for the last 5 - 6 months. I have noticed that the trailer seems to ride a little easier, and things seem to stay a little better in place than when I was running 80 psi.

Thus far, with about 6,000 miles on the tires, I see very little wear - certainly nothing that thus far has given me concern.

[LonnieB]

Rick, you said your loaded weight is 11,100 lbs., that comes to 2,775 lbs. per tire. Useing Glenn's educated guess method ( which I agree with ), 72 psi sould be adequate pressure. If you are not showing unusual wear patterns, and your tires are not overheating, you should be ok. I think the dealers insist on 80 psi just so there is no chance of tire failure due to underinflation. IMHO, just another case of CYA.

On Edit - I should also say, I have mine set at 80 psi., mostly because I do NOT trust ST rated tires. The sooner I change them out, the better I'll feel.

[rickfox]

Lonnie,

Thanks. I think I agree.

[Glenn and Lorraine]

As Lonnie says 72PSI should work fine. I would suggest getting yourself a "Tread Depth Gage". In fact we should all carry a Tread Depth Gage and a good Tire Pressure Gage. The pressure gage should be used regularly and the tread depth checked depending on miles of useage. Knowing how evenly or uneven your tires are wearing is a great way to extend tire life. If they are wearing harder down the middle than you are over inflated. If they are wearing harder on BOTH sides than you are under inflated. If one side of the tire wears harder than the other side you have an alignment or overload problem.

Here's a chart that will help you to better understand tread wear.
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k2...l/tirewear.gif