Tire pressures & trailers, a little help please...

[SoCal Rebell]

I just had an open trailer custom buit for the Viper. 16 x 8 1/2 trailer all steel with an open center and the car fits very nicely. The trailer weighs 1,400 lbs. so with the Viper it's a 5,000 lb. package. When I checked the trailer tire pressure on the 4 wheels they were all different between 47 lbs. and 54 lbs. COLD. What pressure should they be at cold????

Also I have a 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee LTD V8 to tow with. I guess the tongue weight is a little heavy and my rear tires are "sagging" a little, should I increase the tire pressure in the rears? If so to what pressure? Thanks in advance.

 

[luc]

Ron,

Look at the load rating on the tires at at which pressure.

For example you will have 2400# at 60 psi.

If I was you I will go for max pressure on the rear tires of the Jeep.

For the trailer you can call the tire manufacturer and ask their technical dept. the load rating for different pressure.

For example: 2500# at 60psi
2000# at 50psi
1500# at 40psi

After that you can devide the loaded trailer weight by the # of tires.

If the rear end of the Jeep sag too low,it is because the tongue weight is too high (heavy).
You usually need 10/12% of the loaded trailer weight for tongue weight.
On a 5000# trailer weight that will be 500/600#
You can solve this problem with a weight distributing hitch.

As a matter of fact, if the Jeep has the factory towing package,you should have sticker/label on the hitch with 2 differents weight ratings,as:Weight carrying 3500lbs
Weight distributing 5000Lbs.

If you need more infos,E-Mail me.

Luc.00GTS, 11.000 Lbs trailer

 

[FrankBarba]

check the mfg rating on the side of the tire. this will help. you can tweek from there. my trailer tires ask for 75lbs when cold.

 

[ndvipergtsr]

Hello Ron,
I usually run mine at the max pressure cold rated on the side of the tire in small print. most trailers are 50-55psi but check yours.You can also use a spotter when loading your trailer to balance the weight of the car on the trailer to acheive the best balance of weight being transfered to the tow vehicale by doing this you will get the best handling out of your tow rig. my ..02 Jerry

 

[pdmracing]

It also matters if they are radial or bias ply. I have radials on my trailer & they take 65 lbs!. I can vouch for the weight dist. hitch. I tow a 24ft enclosed(aluminum) with a 93 Ford Lightning over 18k miles last year with no problems. With that hitch, remember to increase the pressure on the front tires, they will now be doing more work.This is the best thing since trailer brakes!

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by SOCRATES:
[BWould a U-haul car transporter safely accomodate a Viper?

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I've tried to go the rental route. The aggravation level rates just a step or two below dealing with government agencies. You're better off to buy one or borro...oops, I see your just down the street in Lakeland.

 

[Matt M PA]

Ron..you may also want to get a weight distributing hitch set-up. This will take the tongue weight and move it forward so that it is more evenly distributed on your Jeep. I have towed 7000 pounds with a '94 Bronco for years..it's a must have.