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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

Trail-Rite tire presure

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Steve Blackburn
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1091 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/03/2007 : 13:30:42

Something that bothered me while trailering back was the tires that seemed pretty flat to me. The tires are rated to have a maximum of 32lbs presure. Even at 32 lbs the tires are still pretty flat. So much so that much tire heat is being produced while trailering.

I'm thinking of changing my tires to tires with a higher presure ratings. After all the ones I have are probably 7 years old already but look like they are in very good shape.

What max tire presure ratings do you guys have?

Steve Blackburn, Calgary, AB
C250WB - 1999 - Hull 396

Edited by - Steve Blackburn on 05/03/2007 13:31:16

Russ.Johnson
Commodore

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USA
843 Posts

Response Posted - 05/03/2007 : 15:34:54

It sounds like you have passenger car tires and not trailer tires.
What is the tire size listed? (something like P205/75R14)

I have a 2005 C250WB with Trailrite original tires.
I think the max pressure is 50-psi.
I'll check the tire size and pressure tonight.

Edit: I just checked and I have Titan-ST
Size: ST205/75D14 (Max Load 1760-lbs at 50-psi).
There is a note that says 32-psi max when mounting (that's without a load)
Once they are on the trailer and under load they should be inflated to around 50-psi.

I bought a spare tire last summmer and the Titan-ST was not available.
My spare tire is Allied Super Trac ST-5000
Size: ST205/75D14 (Max Load 1760-lbs at 50-psi).

Russ #793

Edited by - Russ.Johnson on 05/03/2007 20:14:16

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 05/03/2007 : 16:29:33

I agree with Russ, trailer tires are rated for much higher pressure than passenger car tires, about 20 PSI more, and they have much stiffer side walls. I had mine checked by Les Schwab (local tire company in the PNW) right after I took possession of my boat. All my tires needed air, but the guy who checked them said they were the right kind of tires, and in good shape. If you're not certain what you have or how to check, I'd take the trailer to a tire center and have them check for you. Most tire places will do this sort of thing for free, in fact most of them will even fix flats for free if you bring them in to them.

As with Russ, I can check my tires for you when I get home, I'm pretty sure we have the same trailer as yours.

Edited by - on

Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 05/03/2007 : 18:09:23

Yup, trailer tires, not car tires and 50-60 psi if I recall. And, have them BALANCED. Not just to get rid of any annoying vibrations, you may, or may not feel them, but they increase wear and tear on your bearings. Also, do not forget to torque the lug nuts, and again after 100 miles if they've been off.....80-somthing foot pounds if I recall.....

Edited by - on

bear
Admiral

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USA
909 Posts

Response Posted - 05/03/2007 : 18:25:15

I put four new trailer tires on my Trailrite trailer last summer, max pressure 60 p.s.i.

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britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 05/03/2007 : 21:22:56

Just checked the pressure on JD's trailer, set to 50PSI cold as per the tire wall text.

Ready to drag her down to Biscayne bay early in the morning.

Paul

Edited by - on

Steve Blackburn
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1091 Posts

Response Posted - 05/03/2007 : 23:45:11

OMG!

The guy who sold me the boat told me "no problem, all tires are set at 32 lbs". Being consciencious I checked by myself and saw the rating of 32 lbs right on the tire. Took the presure and foudn that all starboard tires were at only 25 lbs! So I put in more air and put them all at 30 lbs, thinking that this will be a long trip and with heat I would get up to 32 lbs.

Still I thought those tires looked flat and so I check the rating on the tires, 32 lbs max. OK I should be good for the long haul then (850 miles). I checked the tire presaure about 5 times throughout the trip and kept them at 32 lbs hot.

Well you know what? Even me, that checks everything twice made a horrible error which could of cost me my boat, and even worse could've put me in an accident. What pisses me off is that I had my whole family with me 2 kids and wife.

Here is how anyone can do the same mistake I did, and the reason that I am posting this is because I am certain other people are doing the same mistake.

When I checked the tires, I didn't bother reading on as soon as I saw the 32 lbs rating I thought that was it. Here is a picture of what I mean:

BUT NO! If I would've read further I would've found this inscription stating that it carries 1750 lbs at 50 PSI. Even so it's not clear on which is the right one. Don't go more than 32 PSI, or just says that at 50 PSI it carries 1750 lbs?

All four tires are:
TITAN ST
ST205/75D14
MAX LOAD 1750 lbs at 50 PSI COLD
4 Ply Tread 4 Ply Sidewall

I guess I am just a lucky guy. Nothing bad happened. You can bet I'm putting in 50 PSI cold the next time I tow it. Will also have all 4 tires balanced since I notice some shaking past 60 MPH (not fishtailing, not back and forth, just a regular shake). Was wondering what that shake was, and now I'm almost certain it was unbalanced tires and the probable cause of my grease oozing out of one of the bearing buddies.

Edited by - Steve Blackburn on 05/03/2007 23:48:11

Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 05/04/2007 : 08:33:17

It sez not to exceed 32 psi when seating the tire....(as in installing). On the road the 50 is correct.

Edited by - Oscar on 05/04/2007 08:34:00

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.