Safe Tire Pressure Questions

[dpam]

My 2008 truck has a GRAWR of 6,084 lbs, and the front and back tire size is LT265/70R17 E (3195lbs). The door sticker states tire pressure should be 72 lbs on the rear. I weighed the truck and trailer the other day and my rear axel weight was 5610 lbs, or 2,805 lbs per tire. According to the Bridgestone tire guide:

3005 lbs = 70 PSI
3100 lbs = 75 PSI
3195 lbs = 80 PSI

So, being that I try to keep my Maxxis trailer tires set at 80 PSI (per Maxxis) I thought I should keep the rear truck tires at 80 PSI as well (which is the max PSI for the tire).

Being that at 5610 lbs I'm under the max tire weight (2,805 lbs/tire) and under the GRAWR am I safe using the 72 PSI recommended by the GM sticker, or would I be better off going to 75 or 80 PSI?

I want to avoid tire problems, therefore I would appreciate your thoughts.

[DonandJudy_12]

We inflate all tires to the maximum posted on the tires- The manufacturer of your vehicle posts inflation figures that make their vehicle ride more comfortably regardless- The Ford fiasco of several years ago is a prime example- JMHO- Don

[richfaa]

The tire loading charts are correct but who carries them around all the time. The max load pressure on the tire is a statement of what the max tire pressure can be not what the correct pressure should be. We use the pressure readings on the door sticker.

[exav8tr]

It seems that by running max pressure all the time for a vehicle that is not at max weight would mean the tires are overinflated and will wear accordingl (prematurely?). I would inflate to the pressure indicated for the weight and go from there. I think, if not mistaken, that's why they publish those tables.....I may be mistaken here but that is what I learned from running heavy and going to G rated tires on my Montana.....

Lonnie may be along to give more accurate information. He is our resident tire expert......

[LonnieB]

I would recommend going by the chart on the door post of the vehicle, that's the way I do it here at the shop. It's true the vehicle manufacturers want their vehicles to ride as comfortable as possible, but they aren't going to neglect safety in order to get a more comfortable ride, especially after the Ford fiasco a few years ago.

[billhoover]

quote:Originally posted by LonnieB

I would recommend going by the chart on the door post of the vehicle, that's the way I do it here at the shop. It's true the vehicle manufacturers want their vehicles to ride as comfortable as possible, but they aren't going to neglect safety in order to get a more comfortable ride, especially after the Ford fiasco a few years ago.

Another consideration is if the owner replaces the OEM tires with tires of a different size, thus changing TP requirements.

[ols1932]

I've found that if I don't exceed the tire manufacturer's max "cold" inflation rate, I have excellent tire wear with or without towing.

Orv

[8e3k0]

We run the door sticker air pressure and have had excellent sucess with tire wear. On the Monty we run the max psi because the unit is always loaded and is near max required load rating.