my thoughts -
short answer to your question .........'yes'.
and if it's really light and empty, I'd wonder if it might be a bit bouncey
at 45 psi in the trailer tires.
If measured cold........which is when you measure tire pressures...
with the heat we're having in Soutern Oregon lately..........and terrbile
smoke from forest fires in northern Ca................and freeway speeds on
I-5 in Califnornia..........( I imagine you're going to Weed, Ca, then take
Hwy 97 up through K-Falls to Bend...........that's the most direct route )
.......
that 45 psi cold will turn into over 50 psi.
I think I would start at 40 psi, unless there's a good laod in it.
Never thought of a back up light on a trailer.
if you have any real vanagon issues I'm just off Exit 24 on I-5 in the Rogue
Valley - Medord-Ashland area.
have a great trip !!
scott
turbovans
----- Original Message -----
From: "Mike Elliott" <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, August 05, 2008 11:27 AM
Subject: [NVC] Airing trailer tires?

>I know nothing about trailer tires, but I'll be pulling our little 1974
> Ladybug brand utility trailer behind Mellow Yellow to Bend, lightly loaded
> with stuff and I want to make sure the tires are aired appropriately.
>
> Here's a picture of the trailer.
>
> http://picasaweb.google.com/j.michael.elliott/LadybugTrailer/photo#5231101180915417442
>
> I included the Bentley's manual in the shot so the size of the trailer can
> be judged -- it's little. Doesn't weight much, either. Fiberglass body,
> simple steel frame. Re-did the wiring, brought it up to CA code. Added a
> backup light, too.
>
> Anyway, the tires are only a couple of years old and are labeled:
>
> Deestone (whoever that is)
> ST175/80D13 (replaces B78-13ST)
> TRAILER SERVICE
> 6 G.P. Load Range
> Max Load 1350lbs at 50 p.s.i. cold
> Nylon cord
>
> So . . . 45psi sound about right?
>
> --
> Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" Elliott
> 71 Type 2: the Wonderbus
> 84 Westfalia: Mellow Yellow ("The Electrical Banana")
> 74 Utility Trailer. Ladybug Trailer, Inc., San Juan Capistrano
> KG6RCR