Tire pressure?

[Tollerowner]

I found a trailer at the street with a "free" sign on it.  The tires were obviously bad, but the rest looked great. It is an earlier model of https://www.trailex.com/products/pc/Single-Light-Duty-Carrier-SUT-220-S-7p39.htm

Mine has no suspension.  The axle is attached to the trailer with conveyor belt material, which presumably absorbs a little shock.  The trailer capacity is 200 pounds and a sticker on the trailer says to inflate the tires to 15 pounds.  I am guessing that the underinflated tires are also supposed to absorb a little shock.

So...  do I inflate the new tires to 15psi also?
I had heck of a time getting the old wheels off because they put thread lock on the bolts.  Do I want to do that also?

Thanks.

[Norm L.]

Ugh.
Question one is what are you going to put on the trailer, and two, how far will you be trailing things.

Have you done any research on the old tires and why they ask for only 15 pounds?  The back of my mind asks if this  is even a road use trailer and not a beach trailer with low psi tiers.

Also, conveyor belts have a limited lifespan, particularly if they are exposed to sun and salt.

[noelH]

Sounds like an off road low capacity utility trailer.  Tire pressure similar to a wheelbarrow or beach dolly trailer.  Recently checked the psi on a trailer dolly, push cart, and wheelbarrow. All have higher psi than your trailer. Trailer dolly is 30 or 35 psi with a 275 pound tongue weight equivalent capacity.

Couple utility trailers, boat trailer, push cart, class 2 diesel tractor... I have always inflated to the recommended max.  Just in case loading to the maximum capacity. 

In a previous life use to race mtn bikes.  Depending on conditions and tire choice sometimes was running real low psi.  Bit of a trade off between pinch flats and overall performance.  Would be careful in running too low a psi in a trailer tire. Outside of flatting, the risk for damaging the tire. Doubt if trailer tire sidewalls are designed for too low psi. Rely on whatever type of suspension system your trailer has for cushioning the load against bumps vs. tire pressure.

[Spot]

It's a classic Sunfish (140# hull) or dinghy type trailer. Tire pressure s/b on the sides of the tires along with max load of the tires. Trailer is probably rated less than tires.  I want to say the Trailex's are aluminum and $$$'s new so check it over for what caused the previous owner to 'free' it into the wild. Maybe it is just fine, perhaps it needs something basic to make it roadworthy like the tires or a new cross member.

They make dollies for the Sunfishes too but they are not for road use: not suspended and no hitches. Some of the trailers are made to accept a boat on a dolly.

Product Details (current model)
This is the oldest, lightest, most unique boat trailer/dolly in our extensive line. Its unique light spring suspension, eliminates road bumps and shock to your small boat, canoe or kayak. For boats up to 17' in length and 220 lbs. maximum weight. Shipping weight 125 pounds. Assembled length 15' 2" width 53"
Standard with LED submersible lights. Made in the USA.
(1 7/8" Ball size, Flat four prong plug)

[Noemi - Ensenada 20]

I always inflate tires to the recommended pressure listed on the side of the tires.

[Wyb2]

So 200 lb load plus 125 lb trailer is 325 so 162 lbs per wheel.  For such little load, you can definitely reduce tire inflation to reduce bouncing.  Running max (50+) psi with that small amount of weight on it will be like riding on bare rims.

Just get DOT speed rated wheels/tires and inflate them until you see a little bit of deflection at the ground.  If you are going to be driving over 50 mph, stop and feel the tires after 20 minutes.  If they are more than just warm, add a 5 psi and repeat.

I've done maybe 3000 miles in 100-200 mile increments towing a motorcycle on a small, cheap utility trailer.  Mostly highway.  Max load on those little 12" tires is 1000 lbs at a whopping 90 psi.  My setup probably weighed about 900 lbs, so 450 per tire.  I think I started at 60, and it bounced like crazy.  I settled around 40 (logically, pretty close to proportional to load vs max load) and it rode much better and the tires never got hot, even on warm days at 70 mph.