Tire temperature

[acadianbob]

Our Rockwood 2518S came with 205/75/14 LR D tires. 2040 pound load capacity. Towing back from Tucson on a 90 degree day, I saw tire temperatures of 135 to 140 degrees. Tires were inflated to 65 PSI. Total trailer weight was less than 7K pounds. This operating temperature seems a little high to me. Thoughts?

 

[RobAmy]

Normal for the conditions you describe.

 

[lizARdman15]

Your trailer knows you are a long way from home and pranked you.
You know that technology is listening in on everything now and AI has a wicked sense of humor!!

Or it could be normal.

Or your hub might be asking for grease or is about to leave you.

Or you might be on your brakes more than normal

Here in the flat lands of SC, often times my tire temp is nearly the same as air temp, so it could be a problem,... or not. Not much there to diagnose more than normal possibilities.

 

[acadianbob]

Maybe we should go back to the good old days when we were blissfully unaware.. My hubs were at 120 degrees; normal I'd say.

 

[GolfingDave]

Three at 110F or so and one at 140F, might be cause for alarm.
All equal or close to it, usually fine.

Of course now that is my set except the fourth is always close to ambient. My internal sensor came loose and had it removed. That tire now has an external sensor.

 

[Chuck_S]

Pavement temperature? I know blacktop can get hot enough to blister bare feet.

Cold tire pressure was 65psi, what was it at that temperature?

How are you determining tire temperature?

-- Chuck

 

[JimM2109S]

Today was a sunny, 95F Florida day driving up I-95. Pressures cold last night were 65psi. Today, 75psi and temps of 123-129F on the four wheels.

Like stated, unless one is way out of align with the others, you’re good.

 

[acadianbob]

I didn't check pavement temperature. I determined tire temp two ways; with the TPMS (internal sensors) and with a laser temp device. The two temps were within 1 degree of each other. All 4 tires were 130 to 140 degrees. I guess a 95 degree day and 70 mph towing speed will result in these temps.

 

[Chuck_S]

Curious what the tire pressure was at those temperatures. Pressure is the critical item as over-inflation (or overloading -- same effect) is what causes blowouts.

As noted a ST205/75R14 tire will support 2040 pounds at 65psi. Four (4) of them will support 8160 pounds and your trailer weighs "less than 7K pounds" which these tires can handle at 50 (fifty) psi so you're over-inflated and may be wearing out the center section of the tread. Over-inflation is never cited as a reason for increased tire temperature like under-inflation. You can safely try 60 or even 55 psi and see if the tires run cooler. The trailer will run smoother and not be banging everything out of the cupboards.

-- Chuck

 

[D W]

Don't forget, when you stop so does the cooling air flow. The brake drum will emanate some heat while it cools down. Tires on blacktop will always run hotter than on concrete.

 

[GolfingDave]

Curious what the tire pressure was at those temperatures

I've noticed my pressures usually climb 10-12 degrees above cold which is 60-65 psi in a relatively short time and then stay put. Temps start coming up in or just outside of the campgrounds, doesn't take much travel.
I do not recall seeing a psi in the 80's ever.

Ambient temp does not seem to make a difference in the PSI.
MPH is usually 55 also and am not going to go 70-75 for tests.