Trailer Tire Pressure... I know, I know.....

thats why tires should be at 110. My company runs em at 100 but i go and put 110 in. You get better fuel millage that way and if i get stopped i dont have to worry..

 

80 pounds is too low. If they are intentionally inflating them to 80 then they are intentionally trying to make you unemployable due to eventual poor CSA score. You might get away with 80 lbs in the winter for a time, but in the summer they will not last long before popping or coming apart. Chances are good if they are 80, they are in the process of losing air. Rapid weather changes can cause some tires with small leaks to leak more, faster.

 

We only haul furniture in our trailers and our average gross is about 55,000 lbs. We never inflate our past 90 psi, and I think we've had 1 blowout in 20 yrs. running the desert between Phx. and LA.

 

Noted, but there is a big difference between 80 and 90 lbs, and 34k and 24k

 

According to the Michelin website, a 22.5 LP can carry 18,000# per axle @ 80 psi. This is one of those deals where you have cops who think that the max pressure listed on the tire is the required pressure, and that is not true!

Here's the law:

Just another example of a driver getting screwed by someone with no common sense.

 

You should be able to have that violation removed through the data-q process. When you submit your data-q, include the above quote regarding tire inflation pressures. Also make sure to note in your comments that neither the inflation pressure, nor the actual weight of the axles was recorded on the inspection report, therefore it was impossible to make a determination that the tires were under inflated.

 

The driver did not get screwed by someone with no common sense, the driver screwed himself. Why? Because he did not ask the officer to show him FROM THE BOOK how he arrived at the conclusion that the tires were under inflated. If he had done this, then the driver would have seen the information and would have realized that the equipment was in compliance.

Note - you might want to wait until the inspection is complete to ask that question. Otherwise, the inspector may decide to dig deeper to 'find' something else.

 

I believe you are mistaken.

Note that the regulation states, "a cold inflation pressure less than that specified for the load being carried." The information on the tire sidewall is the maximum cold inflation pressure in order to carry the maximum legal load for that tire. All tire manufacturers have recommended inflation pressures based on the load the tire is expected to carry. If that load is less than the maximum then the tire inflation pressure is likewise reduced in order to provide the best balance of safety, ride, tire longevity, etc.

I just picked a tire in the size you quoted at random since you did not specify what tires are in question. The data specifics vary slightly from manufacturer to manufacturer and tire to tire, but you will find all manufacturers have similar tables.

From the Bridgestone Truck Tire Data Book, March 2013:

Two examples of 295/75R/22.5 if a maximum expected load of 5,000 lbs/tire (40,000 lbs/8 tires) in dual configuration, then the recommended cold inflation pressures are approximately 80 psi or 95 psi, depending on the specific tire.

If those same tires were only expected to be subjected to a maximum load of 3,750 lbs/tire (30,000 lbs/8 tires), then the recommended inflation pressures drop to 70 psi (the minimum recommended cold inflation pressure).


http://www.trucktires.com/bridgestone/us_eng/load/databooks_pdf/B_MediumLightTruckDataBook.pdf pg. 103

 

The only reason I can think of for why the company would run them at 80 psi is they are thinking when the tire heats up, the pressure will be at 100, but that doesn't make sense. For one thing, the tires set at 100 cold will end up around 110 or even a little higher when hot from running for awhile.
Also, an under inflated tire will run hotter than a properly inflated tire and wear uneven, not to mention the effects on fuel economy due to excessive resistance caused by under inflation. If you've ever ridden a bicycle with low tires, then you know it takes extra effort to pedal the bike, not to mention the loss of control you have with low tires on your bike. When the tires are inflated properly, it's much easier to pedal. Multiply that by 18, and you can imagine the extra power needed to move the truck. All wasted fuel.
I just don't see the benefits of running low pressure.