When hooking my travel trailer up to my Expedition, I would always bring the tire pressure up to the manufacturers max PSI of 44. When not towing, I would lower it to 40... This was recommended by my trailer dealer years ago.

I have a stock F250 Super Duty Super Crew... should I follow the same guidelines? Bring tire pressure up to max prior to pulling? Or are there other guidelines?

 

How heavy is the camper? What load range tires are on your Expedition?

 

The travel trailer is 9,800 pounds. Max PSI on the F250 tires is 80.

The Expedition was traded in January for the F250.

 

80 psi is high pressure. I pump my tires to 90 psi, but I load up to 10,000 lb on my bed.
Good tire manufacturers do have charts for each tire that will recommend the pressure for the load, meaning you should find out actual weight per axle and inflate it accordingly.
Rule of thumb is to find out what percentage of max tire load you are carrying and inflate with the same percentage of max pressure.

 

I run 80psi in the rear tires and 70psi in the front, ALL the time.

 

I agree with miller_feed, my book says 60 front and 80 rear, i played with different pressures over the years, and mine are set 70 front 80 rear, towing or not, has the best feel and stable ride. (load range E is 80 max at least mine are)

 

This is what I do as well.

 

I run 80 all around since I am always towing or hauling. Door cert is usually for the best ride without comprising the tire.

Max psi on the sidewall is for max load...also on the sidewall. that is what I run.

 

I run 80 psi in mine in front and rear. I always run the tires at the pressure they were balanced at, under inflated tires will distort and change the balance. my .02

 

Why would you have different pressure in the front and the rear? My E250 work van says 55 front and 80 rear. How much difference is there then just running the same all around?
My F250 says 80 for all 4 wheels. Why?

 

More pressure = more load capacity
But too much results in rough ride and reduced traction

Optimal pressure = best ride quality and handling

I have big tires so can run quite a bit lower for the same load capacity. The Goodyear DuraTrac E rated tires I have are max load (3800+) at 65 psi.

I've always aired tires to give best tire wear. Over inflation for the load results in excess wear to the center of tread, under inflation wears the shoulders (and overheats and damages the tire carcass).

I used the chalk on the tread method to find optimal psi for various load conditions, and then verified the load capacity was adequate for those pressures.
I run between 40 and 50 in front, and 40 to 65 in rear.

 

Depending on how the weight is distributed you can end up with quite a bit more weight on the rear axle than the front axle. You may remember seeing overloaded trucks with their *** end dragging with the front end far higher on the road before.

When I'm loaded the rears get pumped to the max or a few PSI under. Depending on how I'm loaded I'll run less pressure up front. When unloaded the rears get aired down for an even contact patch and to get better traction.

 

Same on my Dually....I weigh in at 26+ truck and trailer

 

I keep all four tires at 80psi or just under. The ride isn't as good, but I'm maximizing my fuel mileage and it is one less thing for me to do (raising the pressure) when I'm towing.

 

I'm impressed you're towing a 9,800lb TT with an expy. I've been towing a 6,000lb'er and I found that to be just about the limit without the trailer wanting to go where it wants and the 5.4L running out of breath on long progressive uphills.