trailer tyre pressure

Submitted: Saturday, Mar 05, 2011 at 17:46
ThreadID: 84802 Views:3297 Replies:4 FollowUps:1
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I was always under the inpression that you lower your trailer tyres as you do to the towing vehicle. I have done this on rough hard tracks more so for shock absorbing, and figured I'd do the same for sand driving.
We're about to hop over to Fraser, and on a bit of researching on here came across a post pointing out that it increases drag, as you would with soft tyres on the road. Sorry I don't have thread id.
So will lowering pressure, make the trailer 'float' on the sand, or increase resistance and towing weight.
Looking forward to differing opinions :)
Many thanks again,
Cheers Troy
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Reply By: CSeaJay - Saturday, Mar 05, 2011 at 18:00

Saturday, Mar 05, 2011 at 18:00
Troy

I have a rule of thumb that has served me real well.

High speed sealed road, have the trailer tires as high a pressure as the highest pressure on the car (usually the rear tires)

During slow 4wd or sand driving, the trailer tires can be as low or even a tad lower than the lowest pressure of the tow vehicle (usually the front tires)

The above has nothing to do with shock ansorption. High pressure keep the tire nice and cool and less drag on sealed roads. But on sand you want them to float.

As to your last question, lowe pressure on sand decreases resistance

Hope this helps
AnswerID: 447408

Follow Up By: Ray - Saturday, Mar 05, 2011 at 20:42

Saturday, Mar 05, 2011 at 20:42
Tires????????
0
FollowupID: 719730

Reply By: Member - Myles F (QLD) - Saturday, Mar 05, 2011 at 21:16

Saturday, Mar 05, 2011 at 21:16
G’day Troy,
Yep, definitely lower the pressure. It’s the length of the footprint that’s important. Because the trailer will likely be lighter than the tow vehicle the pressure for the trailer tyres should be less than the tow vehicle. I take a reasonable heavy trailer to Fraser and hardly know it’s there.
Myles.
AnswerID: 447416

Reply By: Member - troy s (WA) - Sunday, Mar 06, 2011 at 16:50

Sunday, Mar 06, 2011 at 16:50
Thanks fellas, this was the opinion I had too, guess I just wanted to be reasured that I was doing the right thing.
AnswerID: 447472

Reply By: Member - Bucky - Wednesday, Mar 09, 2011 at 04:28

Wednesday, Mar 09, 2011 at 04:28
Troy

AFAIK

You should ideally aim for is the footprint to be the same on tow vehicle, and what you are towing.
PLay around with your tye pressures at home.
Different weights in either the tow vehicle or trailer will mean different footprints.
This actually works.

click here

Just remember it's the length of the tyre, and not how much it balloons out.

A tick toughing the tyre at either end if the tyre, and measure the distance between them.... simple as that

Cheres
Bucky
AnswerID: 447735

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