I have heard that slightly over inflating tires on a tow vehicle will be beneficial when pulling a trailer. What do ya'll think, fact or fiction?

 

Never exceed the tires ratings as printed on the side wall. It can be very dangerous.

 

I agree, go by what the sidewall indicates...if the tires are not up to par, better to upgrade.

Also feel the tires during re-fueling stops, check for heat.

 

Ditto what the other guys said. Don't exceed the tire sidewall rating.

BUT... According to my 94 user manual and I even think door sticker, there are different inflations depending on whether you are loaded or unloaded(towing).


On my 94 F250 longbed, supercab, that I use to tow, from memory...

Unloaded, the recommended inflation is about 55#. I believe this is for better ride and longer tread wear.

Loaded inflation is something like 85#. This gives you maximum per axle load rating but can wear the tires in the center faster and will ride hard unloaded.

Naturally do not exceed the rating of the tire. Similar tires may have slightly different max ratings. The last set I had, Wranglers had a 90# rating while the current Goodrich TAs are something like 85#, so read the walls and manual.

Good Luck,

Jim Henderson

 

Thanks guys. later this month will be my shake-down trip with out 30ft TT. I pulled it fine with my old Expeditions, but the intent is to get another trailer with a slide out or two or perhaps a fifth wheel. I can tow a s**t load now.

 

X2 and X3 on what they have all said before. Remember if you are going up in altitude, you gain tire pressure. As you heat those tires with your load, you increase the tire pressure. Keeping your tires at the sidewall rating, keeps you within the intended tolerances of the tire companies ratings. Also the higher the pressure, the rougher the ride. Another thing is a I have been reading about people using pure Nitrogen instead of good ole AIR to pressure tires. Here is link as to "why" Nitrogen may be a better gas for your tires.

Nitrogen in Tires : Information about Nitrogen Tire Inflation News, Benefits, Generator Dealers, Location Finder & More

 

the sidewall rating is cold tire pressure!

DO NOT stop and check the pressure while the tires are hot then let some out because they were too high...

If you have a concern, stop and grab a bite to eat, letting the tires cool off, THEN check the pressure. By design, the pressure will increase during travel.



Also, using purer nitrogen is just fine if you don't have to pay any extra for it... the atmosphere is mostly nitrogen to begin with, and cool compressed air doesn't hold much water (it condenses as it cools in the tank and falls to the bottom). As for other molecules being smaller and escaping the compound that the tire is made of... sure, there is truth to that... but that just leads to purer Nitrogen in your tires... so you top them off as necessary and repeat until you've made your own 99% Nitrogen.

 

Thanks all for the replies. I'll keep 'em at no more than max pressure as indicated. I appreciate the help.

 

Fiction, never exceed the max pressure on the tire sidewall.