I just received a 01 F250 SD crew cab with the 5.4 gas 2wd in it. I do not do any heavy pulling (lawn mowers and a jeep cherokee about once every two months). So with that being said is 60 psi still what I need to run in the tires? The factory ones were suppose to be 235/85 16 but it has 285/75 16 A/T 2 ply tires on it now. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

I run the 285's on my '03 250 (Bridgestone Revo's). The sidewall calls for 80 psi but I found that with that much pressure, the truck rode like a lumber wagon and would hop around on the highway to the point that it sometimes made it difficult to control. I spoke with my mechanic and he suggested 60 psi. I cant describe the difference in both ride and handling. I have had my tires for 2 years and it looks like I'm gonna get another year at least out of them (60,000 miles total). I have my tires balanced every oil change (3000), and I have the alignment checked and the tires rotated every 6000. If you want to prolong your tires, you have to be preventive with the maintanance.
I tow a light camper at this psi with no problems, but bump it up to 80 psi when hauling the bobcat or another car.
Hope this helps.

 

Excellent, answered all my questions exactly. That's why I was asking because I'm taking the truck to have them rotated and balanced and the front end aligned in the morning. They always want to change my tire pressure so wanted to set it before I got there. Thanks again...

 

Whoa! 2 ply tires? What load range are they? What is the maximum pressure rating molded on the side of the tire?

 

I dropped the truck off so it's not with me now but I remember it said max load ???? at 65 psi. When I get it back I'll find out exactly. Thanks

 

Max load 3305 pounds at 65 psi (cold), so am I still good or is there something else I need to do?

 

So maybe they are D range tires. Obviously you don't ever want to run more pressure than the sidewall rating. You'll be okay at 60 psi, but that's probably more than you actually need unless you are hauling a heavy load.

 

I think I would be looking at those car tires carefully. I'll bet they are under rated for any loads.

 

The load rating is high enough, but it's the old question of whether a D rated tire has a strong enough carcass. I don't think they do, and would much prefer an E. But a lot of guys run oversized D rated tires without issues, and I would not throw them away just because of that. Just be careful with them, and get a better tire next time.

 

Thanks for all the help, I will watch them carefully and put a better set on when I replace them. You are correct they are a D range tire and they were just put on before I received it from the previous owner. Thanks again

 

previous owner was probably trying to save a few bucks, just pay attention to the load rating on the bead and you will be ok.