Re: [A/S] Re: Tire inflation[

[Jack Canavera <jackcanavera@xxxxxxxxx>]

I think the problem is that unless you can weigh your
trailer for each trip, you really can't use load based
inflation tables.  If you are guessing your weight,
the penalty for a bad guess is a blown tire.  Probably
everyone should initially have their unit weighed
carrying a normal load, minus liquids in the holding
tanks.  You should include clothing, food,
refrigerator items in the weigh in.  From there you
have a good base to calculate from.  Liquids in the
holding tanks can be caluclated and added to that base
weight.  Even with this knowledge I probably would
error to the higher side of the inflation chart.

The fact that I have the slide out, I'm probably
pulling the heaviest tandem axle trailer that
Airstream makes.  With that in mind, and the fact that
I haven't had the trailer weighed yet, I'm using the
max inflation pressure as my fill point for now.  No
room for error here.

The other thing that nobody has mentioned yet is
towing speeds and their effect on tire weight
capacity?  What is missing on most inflation charts is
how towing speed affects tire capacity.

Most inflation charts assume a certain towing speed
when stating capacities.  If you exceed that towing
speed the tire flexes more and gains more heat.  Slow
down and it flexes less.  In essance once you exceed
the tire's rated speed, the capacity is reduced.

A good example is the fact that you can tow an tandem
axle A/S with a missing tire.  But do you notice that
the manual states that you need to slow down to 45
mph.  Why?  Because the surviving tire on that side
can actual bear more weight than it's rating if you
drive slower.

Jack Canavera
STL. Mo.
'04 Classic S.O. 30' 
WBCCI 5024