When you're towing a trailer, tire pressure is more than just a number—it's the foundation for a safe, smooth, and stable trip.
Think about it: you're hauling all that extra weight, and if your tires aren’t at the right pressure, everything can feel off—sluggish, unstable, and even prone to dangerous blowouts. So, before hitting the road, it’s crucial to get it right.
You might not realize how easy it is to push those tire limits, especially with all the gear, passengers, and cargo you pack. If your tires are underinflated, you risk compromising control, but don’t worry!
You can avoid this by always following the recommended tire pressures listed on your tow vehicle and trailer stickers or manuals. Plus, checking and adjusting your tire pressure before every trip ensures that weight is distributed correctly and your tires wear evenly, making for a much safer drive.
And here’s where a premium anti-sway hitch, like the ProPride 3P® Hitch, steps in. While correct tire pressure is your starting point, using this technology adds another layer of stability, so you can leave worries about trailer sway behind and enjoy the ride.
In this blog, you'll learn:
Let’s find out!
Tire pressure directly affects how safe and stable your tow setup is on the road. If you tow with the wrong tire pressure, you risk unsafe handling, poor sway control, and even blowouts under extra load.
Tire pressure is the internal air force measured in pounds per square inch (PSI). The right PSI helps a tire keep its shape, grip the road, and safely support weight.
When towing, tires face higher loads and heat.
Use a high-quality tire pressure gauge to check PSI when tires are cold. The recommended PSI is on the tire’s sidewall and in your tow vehicle manual. Never guess or just “eyeball” pressure—tire safety depends on accurate numbers.
Driving solo and towing create very different tire needs.
When you add the tongue weight of a trailer—even with advanced sway control like the ProPride 3P®—each tire must handle more pressure and flex.
Daily driving may allow for slightly lower tire pressure to improve ride comfort. But towing, especially over long highway stretches or rough ground, requires tires set near or at maximum sidewall PSI. This reduces the risk of overheating and lets the tire support the extra weight without flexing or squatting.
Safe towing means checking PSI before your trip and while loaded. Return tires to normal pressure after unloading for safety and optimal sway control.
Every tire has a load rating marked on the sidewall.
This rating shows the maximum weight a tire can safely carry at a given PSI. This is critical when towing since your combined vehicle-and-trailer weight may be near the maximum.
Add up the load ratings of all tires (tow vehicle and trailer) to see if they meet or exceed your total load. Never exceed a tire’s marked capacity. Under-loaded or overloaded tires make sway more likely and can defeat even the best anti-sway hitch.
Proper load ratings work hand-in-hand with weight distribution to keep towing safe and under control.
Choosing the right tire pressure is essential for safe towing. Consider manufacturer recommendations, added weight, and changes in weather or elevation to avoid tire failure and keep your trip safe.
Proper tire pressure depends on the weight of your vehicle and trailer. More weight means you need higher pressure.
Overloading or underinflating tires increases the risk of blowouts and poor control. Check the load rating on the tire sidewall—it tells you the max weight the tire can handle at a certain PSI.
When you add more cargo or water, or tow a heavy RV, increase the tire pressure to the recommended towing value.
Use these steps:
A hitch system like ProPride can improve towing stability, but proper tire pressure is critical for optimal sway control.
Air pressure in tires changes with temperature and altitude.
For every 10°F (about 5°C) temperature drop, tire pressure drops by around 1 PSI.
If you start your trip at sea level and travel into the mountains, the air outside gets thinner and may impact tire pressure. Check and adjust your tire pressure before leaving and again after significant changes in elevation or temperature.
Hot weather increases tire pressure, leading to over-inflation if not monitored. For the most accurate reading, always measure pressure when tires are cold before driving.
Ignoring these factors can make towing less stable and increase the risk of tire damage or accidents during your trip.
Proper tire pressure is one of the most essential details for safe towing. Tire pressure directly impacts your trailer’s stability, braking, and control, especially when you’re carrying heavy loads.
If your tires are underinflated, they flex more while driving.
This creates extra heat, increasing the risk of blowouts, especially at highway speeds. Underinflated tires also wear out faster, mainly along the outer edges, and lose their ability to support the trailer’s weight evenly.
Overinflation makes your tires harder and reduces the contact area with the road. This often leads to less traction, a rougher ride, making tires more vulnerable to damage from potholes and other road hazards.
Both underinflation and overinflation cause uneven tire wear, which can shorten a tire’s life and force you to replace it sooner. To find the correct pressure, always follow your tow vehicle and trailer’s tire pressure recommendation listed in the owner’s manual or on the tire information sticker.
|
Problem |
Cause |
Result |
|
Underinflation |
Low air pressure |
Heat, blowouts, poor wear patterns |
|
Overinflation |
Too much air pressure |
Rough ride, less traction, damage |
Incorrect tire pressure changes how your trailer responds to braking and steering.
Always check tire pressure before every trip and adjust if needed.
Keeping your tire pressure correct makes towing safer and extends the life of your tires. Routine checks and using new technology can help prevent dangerous blowouts and make your trip smoother.
Check your tire pressure when the tires are cold—before you drive more than a mile or before sunrise, if possible.
Tire pressure rises as the tires heat up, so warm readings will mislead you. Use a reliable tire pressure gauge, either digital or analog, and compare your readings with the numbers on your tire’s sidewall or your vehicle’s owner’s manual.
Look for the manufacturer’s recommended pressure for “cold” conditions. Don’t rely on visual checks; low tires often look normal. Check all tires, including your trailer spare. Inspect for cracks, uneven wear, or nails while you’re at it.
Consistent tire pressure checks lower your risk of sudden flats or blowouts while towing heavy loads.
Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) let you see each tire's pressure and temperature from your dashboard.
Some are built-in, but you can add aftermarket units to trailers that don’t come with them. These systems sound an alert if a tire gets too low or hot, giving a warning before a problem turns into a blowout.
A TPMS is especially useful for long hauls or when using premium hitches like the ProPride 3P®. It can catch slow leaks or help you keep pressure balanced across your vehicle and trailer.
Choose a TPMS showing pressure and temperature readings for the best real-time tracking.
Before a long trip, check all tires—including your trailer—for correct pressure, age, and tread.
Keep a quick checklist:
The correct tire choice decides the stability and safety of your towing setup. Your tires must match the weight and demands of regular towing, not just daily driving.
Towing requires tires rated for an extra load.
LT (Light Truck) tires and Special Trailer (ST) tires are built to carry heavier weights. LT tires have stronger sidewalls, giving them the strength to handle the stress of towing. ST tires are made specifically for trailers and help control trailer sway with stiffer construction.
Never use P-metric (passenger car) tires for towing, even if they fit your wheels. These tires are not built to withstand weight or forces from towing. Check the tire’s load index and maximum inflation pressure, which can be found stamped on the sidewall.
|
Tire Type |
Best For |
Key Features |
|
LT |
Trucks/SUVs |
Heavy loads, tough build |
|
ST |
Trailers only |
Stiffer, sway control |
|
P-metric |
Not for towing |
Softer, less load capacity |
Choosing tires not designed for towing can lead to poor stability and even tire blowouts.
Before any trip, check your tires for tread wear, sidewall cracks, and punctures.
If you see uneven wear or the remaining tread is below 4/32", replace your tires. Stale, dry-rotted, or mismatched tires raise the risk of sway, especially if you use the ProPride 3P®.
Upgrading to a higher load-rated tire can give more stability. Ensure new tires match your trailer or tow vehicle’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). Always keep tire pressures at the number listed by your vehicle or trailer manufacturer, not just what's written on the tire.
Proper inflation and the right tire type work together with advanced hitches to maximize towing safety and minimize sway.
Ignoring recommended tire pressure is a frequent error.
Over-inflation makes your ride harsh and reduces tire grip. Under-inflation causes excessive heat, which may lead to a blowout.
|
Mistake |
Impact |
|
Over-inflation |
Less traction, harsher ride |
|
Under-inflation |
Overheating, tire blowout risk |
|
Uneven tire pressure |
Poor handling, uneven wear |
You must maintain proper tire pressure even if you use a ProPride 3P® hitch for sway control. Advanced technology can't compensate for unsafe tires. Don't wait until damage is visible. Regular checks help you catch problems early and keep your towing experience safe.
Before every trip, check tire pressure when the tires are cold.
Consider upgrading your equipment for better towing stability. ProPride offers anti-sway solutions with a one-piece yoke and adjustable hitch bar for top safety and compatibility.
Quick Checklist:
You’ve learned how important tire pressure is for towing, but you might have a few lingering questions. Let's address the common ones and make sure you're fully equipped for your next adventure!
Most trucks have a sticker on the driver’s side door jamb with recommended tire pressures for your front and rear tires. When towing, use the “Max Load” pressure listed on the tire sidewall if you are near your maximum payload or trailer weight. Low tire pressure can cause overheating, sidewall damage, and poor control, especially under heavy loads. Always use a calibrated gauge for the best results.
Start with the manufacturer’s recommended pressure from your owner’s manual or door placard. If you add significant weight, such as a loaded trailer, increase the tire’s maximum listed pressure, but do not exceed it. Weigh your vehicle plus the trailer at a truck stop scale for an accurate load. Adjust pressure if needed to stay within safe tire limits.
For a Silverado 1500, check the door sticker for original specifications. Many models recommend 35-40 psi for both front and rear, but this can change if you tow a heavier trailer. If you tow closer to the vehicle and tire max, use the higher end of that range. Check the exact tire sidewall for maximum ratings, especially if you use aftermarket tires.
Yes, as your towing weight increases, you need higher tire pressure to prevent the tires from flexing too much. The closer you get to your truck’s towing capacity, the more critical it is to inflate tires to their maximum safe value. Advanced sway control systems like ProPride hitches help distribute load more evenly, but correct tire pressure is still essential.
If your tire pressure is too low, your tires can overheat and fail, or you can lose steering control and have longer braking distances. Too much pressure reduces grip and makes the ride harsh. Underinflated and overinflated tires increase the risk of trailer sway, even if you use modern sway control equipment.
Check your tire pressure before every trip, when the tires are cold. Check your tire pressure every morning before driving for long trips or when towing heavy loads.