Should I change the tyre pressure when towing?
Carrying heavy loads or towing boats or trailers puts pressure on your vehicle’s tyres. You can check you are not overloading them by referring to the load-carrying capacity marked on the tyres. For example, an ’86’ on a passenger tyre means it can take a maximum load of 530kg, or 545 kg if it’s marked with an ’87’. This applies at maximum tyre pressures only, or about 240 kpa (35 psi) and emphasises the need to add pressure to your tyres if your vehicle is fully loaded with passengers and luggage. A general rule is to add 14 kpa (2 psi) if fully laden. It should be noted that moving loads, such as a boat or caravan, can multiply the static load by 3 or 4 times and can very easily exceed tyre ability to carry the load. Large loads also put a strain on steering gear, axles, wheels and springs, so keep those pressures up and don’t forget the spare Speed can kill tyres. Load and speed generate heat and together they can destroy a good, new tyre. At 80 kph on a trip, your tyres will last a
