What do you guys run your tire presure at when towing? Is it just "MAX" presure of the tire?

Sorry for the dumb ?????

 

I run what is states on the door frame.

 

the door frame is only good for OEM tires. Always run max load pressure according to the sidewall of the tires.

 

Max pressure "cold" eg, whatever the temp is before you start driving for the day

 

I leave the fronts at 65 and the rears at 70 towing (32' 6500 lb. TT) or not.

 

65 front and 75 rear.

 

You only want the maximum pressure if you are carrying the max weight the tire is rated for.

My tires are rated at 3,195 lbs each. If I only have 2,500 lbs on each tire I don't want max pressure!

 

I run 75 all the way around and I tow 6-10K almost 100% of the time. Truck has a trailer hooked up to it 5 days/week, never gets taken off.

I find that I get the best sway stability from crosswinds and passing tractors/motorhomes with high tire pressures. A good steer feel, confident and no wandering.

My tire wear is very good. I usually get over 50K out of a set, I expect the same on this '11 truck.

Bumps can be a little harsh but it's not too bad.

 

60 PSI on all corners except when towing. Then I am at max on the rear (which is 65).

 

When towing I inflate to the pressure that is on the tire sidewall!!

 

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The main reason I sold my GMC and ordered a new truck is because of towing. I was happy with the way the 2500HD towed my 5^th wheel, right up until I finally stopped at a CAT scale.

I had 6800 pounds on the rear axle, well past the 3195 (per tire) rating.
Granted, LT tires are tested to different standard then trailer tires and have a higher reserve, and I was probably OK, but certainly not comfortable pulling 18K.

There are a lot of factors involved in tire dynamics that are multiplied when towing. And it is far more then just tire surface load. Even the bead angle of the rim as well as offset has to be factored in.

 

BTW, for those that tow heavy trailers, especially 5th wheels with "china bombs", Goodyear has a tire-load inflation chart available.

I installed Goodyear H-rated tires several months ago. They are rated for 4800+ plus pounds at 135 psi. Based on my travel speed and load I can adjust the pressure to suit the trailer load. Typically I run 110-115 to give me a more then sufficient load capacity versus ride quality.

 

on that note, do you use nitrogen? it's supposed to be especially good for trailer tires since it does not degrade the rubber or "seep out" like plain air will. That's great if you leave them at a particular PSI all the time... but if you regularly adjust them I can see how it would become a problem.

 

Yes I do but I use the less expensive 80/20 mix.

Sorry couldn't resist.

Pure nitrogen is a waste of money. You will never have 100% nitrogen in your tires anyway, unless the tire mounted is a nitrogen sealed room.

 

mine were filled like that from the factory... and my dealership will drain and fill one tire for like $2... but I digress. I can handle some dilution but it has been proven that nitrogen molecules will not react with rubber the way oxygen and other components of air do. It has also been proven that tires filled with nitrogen will not lose pressure over time like tires filled with air do. I'm not making this up, it's just science.

If you don't like the idea or agree with the science... you could find a less jerky way of saying it. Sorry I asked.