jat4
Upstate New York, Finger Lakes
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sorry in advance for a dumb newbie question, but is it best to drop the psi in the tow vehicle's tires between towings or on an extended camping stay? In other words is there any risk (other than a hard ride) of leaving the tire pressure towards the high end when not towing?
fwiw I've got Firestone Transforce LTs on a Ford F-150, which the tire dealer filled to 45 psi when I bought them, and which I now have at about 75 psi for towing. They're rated at 80 psi max.
I'm more curious if they will wear faster one way or the other. anyway, thanks in advance.
Jim T.
2008 Jayco 26L
2000 F-150 V8 5.4L
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F-TROUP
VISALIA, CALIF
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Joined: 05/13/2007
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I leave mine inflated to 70# all the time, as I use my motorcycle to run around town instead of my truck. Tire people like you to think that the tires you bought have a real nice ride, but your running them under inflated in my book. JMHO
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SoCalDesertRider
SanDiego, CA, USA
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Joined: 12/14/2003
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No problem with leaving them aired up when not towing or hauling. You will notice a stiffer ride and may notice less traction on wet pavement with them aired up and no load on them. They may also tend to wear down the middle instead of even all accross the tread. Other than that, no issues.
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BENT ARROW
CO.
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Joined: 02/02/2003
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If they are to high for the load, as the rears on a PU with nothing in the bed, the center of the tire will wear faster. The same as with low pressure the sides wear faster. It would take hundreds of miles to see a difference in the tire wear unless you chalk the tread and run it a short distance.
Bent Arrow
99 PACE ARROW 35'
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LarryJM
NoVa
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Joined: 11/09/2007
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jat4 wrote:sorry in advance for a dumb newbie question, but is it best to drop the psi in the tow vehicle's tires between towings or on an extended camping stay? In other words is there any risk (other than a hard ride) of leaving the tire pressure towards the high end when not towing?
fwiw I've got Firestone Transforce LTs on a Ford F-150, which the tire dealer filled to 45 psi when I bought them, and which I now have at about 75 psi for towing. They're rated at 80 psi max.
I'm more curious if they will wear faster one way or the other. anyway, thanks in advance.
Jim T.
Depending on the tire and what the loads are towing/non towing you will be less mileage and more wear in the center if you keep them at the towing psi. For me just the ruffness of the ride with E rated tires on a 1T vehicle makes airing them down worth it. For towing I use 80 in the rear and 70 in the front, but not towing using the load inflaion tables that drops to around 45 all around and I up the rears to 50 and the fronts at 45.
Larry
2001 standard box 7.3L E-350 PSD Van with 4.10 rear and 2007 Holiday Rambler Aluma-Lite 8306S Been RV'ing since 1974. TRAILER MODS
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forwardho
DFW -- Texas
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Joined: 03/13/2006
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I run mine at 80 PSI, towing or not. 48000 miles on my first set of tires.
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forwardho
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skipnchar
Topeka Kansas USA
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Joined: 12/17/2003
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Answer depends on the tire. If you're running passenger tires (P designation in the size)it certainly COULD cause center wear from being inflated to max but truck tires (LT in the size) should be just fine at maximum pressure. Mine run at 80 PSI unless I'm not going to be towing for at least a couple of weeks.
2004 F-150 HD 3,050 lb. payload
Rockwood 8314SS 34' travel trailer
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Al B
Cowtown
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Joined: 10/22/2007
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75 PSI in the rear, 47 PSI in the front, year round.
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FleaM35A2
East TN
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Joined: 08/24/2008
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Check the door jamb for proper tire inflation levels. Running over or under-inflated tires can cause quirky handling. Lower tire pressures can lead to a wandering condition and make a vehicle easier to sway. Higher pressures reduce the contact patch and can result in lowered traction.
If you do increase your pressure for towing, I'd back it off when you're not towing.
1971 AM General M35A2
1969 Holiday Rambler 27 Ft.
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chadsalt
sc
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Joined: 04/04/2005
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WOW some of these posts are downright funny. 80 psi on a 1/2 ton empty, yeah right......that will work out just fine. I wont even run 80 psi empty on my Dmax for safety, 60F/45R will get some bite when I need to STOP. Takes long enough to stop, I sure dont need to be sliding around on the center 2" of the tire. The F150 would be even lighter, the concept of contact patch and its importance eludes some people.
jat4,
Try running overinflated if you want, but I can all but guarantee the first hard stop in the rain when you're empty (or maybe even when loaded) will leave you scrambling for a load/inflation chart.
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