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Old 04-06-2010, 11:04 AM   #6
Art-n-Marge
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Murrieta
Posts: 5,816
M.O.C. #9257
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I have been taught that the tire pressure must only be read when cold (not driven). I have also read and been told that you can drive up to one mile at low speed and still be able to get an accurate cold tire pressure reading (seems like the distance to get to the nearest service station to air up the tires in case they're low). After that distance the reading could be affected because the air pressure changes with temperature changes caused by driving, the weather temperature, the road types and other factors.

I will also reinforce that one should know the actual weights of their TV and RVs as these can help determine what tire pressures should be and if you are exceeding anything.

Your door pillar describes 72 PSI (cold pressure) and if you have not changed out the tires and the tires maximum weight rating is 3,135 at 80 PSI, look at the RAWR on the door pillar and it is probably around 6,000 lbs or less or 3,000 lbs or less per tire. If you had the air pressure table for that Bridgestone tire, filling the tire to 72 PSI will probably match the weight requirement for your truck. If you go higher than that, then you risk overinflating your tires and experience premature wear in the middle of the tires like what Tom S. described.

Admittedly my truck specifies 75 PSI. My tires have a 3,195 lb weight rated at 80 PSI. Since my RAWR is only up to 6,000 inflating my tires to 75PSI will support 3,000 lbs on the tires. I have gone over than that (because my trailer is at 80 PSI and I forgot to use 75PSI for the truck) and I was able to catch it before the center of my tires exhibited excessive wear.

When I am not towing I reduce the PSI on my truck to 65 PSI so the back end doesn't bounce around as much and there is no weight back there. I have gone lower than 60 (55-60PSI) to soften the ride even more, but the outsides of the tires start to wear and the fuel rating drops. So my sweet spot when not towing is 65psi. The 75PSI on the pillar typically is the maximum loaded requirement unless otherwise stated. My Mercedes Benz has the unloaded and loaded PSI on the pillar. Since I rarely drive by myself I keep it at max because the MPGs are very good at that measurement.

Your truck will vary. I hope we have provided enough information for you to determine what will work for you. But try not to exceed the weight ratings at any point of your rig (tires, wheels, axle, gross, TV, Rig, and combined) and watch for the wear signs and you should be okay.
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