Tire pressure for long trips

[Y Rider]

Just wondering what I should set my tire pressure to for long highway speed rides. I normally have the front tires at 17 psi and rear 28 psi with cold tires. During long rides at highway speeds on warm days the tire pressure can rise several psi higher. Should I lower the psi knowing the pressure will increase as the tires warm up or leave it at the cold temp setting? We are leaving for Spyderfest Tuesday and was just going over my pre-flight check list.

 

[Dudley]

I don't see any reason to ride different than you always do. You are used to those pressures.

 

[Bob Denman]

:agree: Set the pressures while the tires are cold and it'll all work itself out... :thumbup:
But that's a VERY good question for a Monday! :clap:

 

[Yol Bolsun]

Just left dealer where I got TB update 2012-4 and while I was there, had tires changed to nitrogen, 18 psi front and 28 psi rear. Trailer is hooked up and starting trip to SpyderFest in about 6 hours.

Come on Bob, you can STILL make it. Just leave message for customers that you are off the rest of the week doing product research. :thumbup: That sounds like a responsible agent, doncha think?

Ooops, I gotta go pack my stuff.

 

[Bob Denman]

Just left dealer where I got TB update 2012-4 and while I was there, had tires changed to nitrogen, 18 psi front and 28 psi rear. QUOTE]

One-hundred percent nitrogen: or the more common seventy-eight percent variety??? :roflblack:
:roflblack::roflblack: 18/28... Sounds good! :thumbup:

 

[Tonga]

I am putting 24psi in my rear to try and see if the center wears flatter. My first tire wore in the center with 28 psi so this time I will see what happens. I did test this pressure after a long ride two up to see how high it went, 27psi was the reading. Here's hoping it wears better now?

 

[Bob Denman]

I had been using 28psi out back; dropped it to 26psi for the new tire. I've heard of folks being pretty happy with 24, but I was concerned with tire deflection at the lower pressures. I chickened out! pps:

 

[NancysToy]

The reason you always should fill tires cold is that the expansion and pressure rise from heat is taken into account. Don't change the pressure for trips.

 

[thehawk]

Rear tire replacement scheduled for Wednesday at 7100 miles. Ran 28 psi, solo and 70+ mph most of the time. Lots of center tread wear. Will probably drop to 25-26 on new tire.

Dealer says $200 for OEM replacement ... sounds OK. ($100 tire, $100 labor)

Any advice?

 

[Y Rider]

But that's a VERY good question for a Monday! :clap:

It may be Monday but it feels like Friday. Only a one day work week. Our Spyderfest vacation starts tomorrow! :yes::yes::yes:

 

[Bob Denman]

Oh you lucky Devil...

:2thumbs:

 

[Y Rider]

The reason you always should fill tires cold is that the expansion and pressure rise from heat is taken into account. Don't change the pressure for trips.

Thanks for the info. This puts my mind at ease. The reason why I was concerned is that on two long trips in the past pulling a trailer with the tire pressure set to the tire manufacturers recommended psi resulted in 3 blowouts. However, both times the two different trailers used had aged tires.

 

[NancysToy]

Thanks for the info. This puts my mind at ease. The reason why I was concerned is that on two long trips in the past pulling a trailer with the tire pressure set to the tire manufacturers recommended psi resulted in 3 blowouts. However, both times the two different trailers used had aged tires.

Trailer tire heat and blowouts are more often caused by wheel bearing heating or failure. Repack your bearings once a year, and do not completely fill the cavity with grease. Small wheels and tires heat up a lot more than larger diameters. An axle that is out of alignment or skewed, or an overloaded trailer can also cause tire heating and failure.