insufficient tire pressure from gas station

[Ron]

I wonder if this is common, but my trailer tires were low on pressure. They should have 50 psi, but they only had 28 psi. I went to the local gas station, popped in the 75 cents, and attempted to inflate the tires. The machine worked but I could only inflate the tires to 35 psi. Could the machine not put out more pressure because of safety concerns? I think most car tires only need 30 - 35 psi. Or do I just need to find another gas station to try?

[Scott]

The little coin ops are not sufficient compressors to get much beyond 35#.

Two reasons, 1= liability, most tires are 35# or under and over-inflation can be deadly if it hops the bead. 2= its a cheap little compressor in the box that "thinks it can"

[Chip Hindes]

The little coin ops are not sufficient compressors to get much beyond 35#.

Sorry, must disagree. I've aired mine to 50 psi on many occasions with the compressors at gas stations. This was measured with my own gauge, since I don't trust the built in gauges on the gas station compressors. I tend to stop at truck stops, and most trucks need 50 psi or more, but even at corner gas stations, in six years I've never encountered one gas station compressor which couldn't give me 50 psi.

[Zoran]

Hard to believe,
My car tires are at 35 psi cold, and if I am with the hot tires I will inflate over by 3-5 psi and I never had problem. I also carry my own gauge. Succesfuly pump up trailer's tires to 50 psi in two occasions on gas sations.

Zoran

[NiceAft]

Ron,

Were you using your own gauge, or what is supplied with the air pump?


Ray

[Ron]

I used my own gauge to measure the pressure. I had thought maybe because most tires only take 35 psi or less that they may have limited it to avoid burst tires. I'll try another gas station this time.

[Francis]

Ron,
i also have never had a problem at gas stations getting my tires up to 50.
But I bought myself a small car pump that runs on rechargable batteries, and also with your car lighter. I would rather fill up my tires at home instead of going to a gas station, and also it is great when I need to top them off at the lake or where ever, before coming back home. It gives me peace of mind to know that I can take care of low tire psi even if I find myself in the middle of nowhere.

[Bill at BOATS 4 SAIL]

It's time to put winter air in the tires, here on the north coast.

[Divecoz]

It's time to put winter air in the tires, here on the north coast.

Bill Your Killing me ! So Hows it going Bud?
As for bursting a tire ? t would take a lot of Tire pressure to do that . I had 45LBS in the Rangers tires when we loaded it with 3500lbs of sand . Someone know how to figure that one out and I didn't burst the tires . Not saying I wasn't close very close .
Gas Station Versus Mini mart No doubt the mini mart compressor might have in time done the job for you , but time might have been counted in Days hahahaha

[Frank C]

Ron,
i also have never had a problem at gas stations getting my tires up to 50.
But I bought myself a small car pump that runs on rechargable batteries, and also with your car lighter. I would rather fill up my tires at home instead of going to a gas station ...

Completely agree. The jump-start battery carried by Costco includes a high-pressure air compressor pump. It's able to reach 50 lbs if given enough time, and the battery has enough uumph to get there for two tires. Their POWER STATION is a great, dual-purpose device at $49.

[Night Sailor]

The place you tried needs maintenance or replacement. Most station pumps would reach more than 50 lbs. Try another place. Most places I've been to fill my spare air tank, they only go up to 80 lbs and stop. ANY truck stop will have air that can reach 150 lbs.

I carry a air pump good for 200 lbs in the tow vehicle at all times for reinflating after taking the truck, boat and travel trailers offroad.