Tire pressures etc
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Elder User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 646
Likes: 3
From: Derbyshire, UK.
Tire pressures: 32x11.50R15 BFG AT
Hi,
I have a 92 FulL Size 302 EB with 32x11.50R15 BFG AT (KO, or is it KM?) tyres on it. I am finding that the grip from these tires on a damp road is pretty much nil to the point that this morning I had a collision with a Volvo Estate on a country road (Score: Bronco 1, Volvo 0) even driving slower because of the conditions.
My gut feeling is the tires are too wide for the vehicle.
One thing I wish to try fist before I scrap the tires (which are pretty new so its not a lack of tread issue) is the tire pressure in them. With them being after market the hand book isn't much use so I am interested to hear if anyone can recommend a suitable pressure.
Comments?
Simon
I have a 92 FulL Size 302 EB with 32x11.50R15 BFG AT (KO, or is it KM?) tyres on it. I am finding that the grip from these tires on a damp road is pretty much nil to the point that this morning I had a collision with a Volvo Estate on a country road (Score: Bronco 1, Volvo 0) even driving slower because of the conditions.
My gut feeling is the tires are too wide for the vehicle.
One thing I wish to try fist before I scrap the tires (which are pretty new so its not a lack of tread issue) is the tire pressure in them. With them being after market the hand book isn't much use so I am interested to hear if anyone can recommend a suitable pressure.
Comments?
Simon
Last edited by muckypaws; May 24, 2005 at 08:50 AM. Reason: clarification of topic in title
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 225
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From: Birmingham AL
I have the exact brand and size on my bronco. Actually this is my second set. The first set did not say KO on the sidewall but they appear to be very similar. I ran the first set at 45 psi and they wore too much in the center. I run them now between 38 and 40 psi. I can only remember having a problem stopping on a wet road one time and that was because the road was steep and it had just started raining. My tires are on American racing wheels but I don’t know the rim width. Probably close to stock size. I have been very happy with these tires both on and offroad. They even did a good job crossing a very muddy creek and going down very tore up muddy logging roads. The main reason I purchased them is because they have extra plys in the tread and sidewall.
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Elder User
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Derbyshire, UK.
I expected them to behave much better than they do. I had a set of MTs on my Land Rover and they were great but these ATs seem to slide far too easily. I'll check the pressures tonight and see if it makes a difference.
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Elder User
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Derbyshire, UK.
Originally Posted by jem270
Hmm. How come my signature line does not show up when I post but it shows when I preview?
Simon
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Elder User
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Derbyshire, UK.
Siping meaning cutting transverse slots in the blocks yes? Not sure who would do that in the UK or if its allowed....
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Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Bend,OR
yes, ask around im sure someone does it. its actually better for the tire. helps them run cooler adds better grip and stopping ability. the tire will actually wear better and last longer.
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Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,285
Likes: 12
From: Bend,OR
it will not void tire warranty. why they are not doing it from the factory i couldnt say. we have a very large tire company here called les schwab. they have over 300 some stores in 4 western states. they offer sipping, have a big board showing all it does for the tire and the tires they produce dont have nearly that much sipping. but if you notice a lot of the new tires out there are incorporating more sipping then in the past. .
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Hoboken, NJ...
I am running my first set of BFG AT (KO) in 31X10.5X15 on my daily driver a 93 Bronco. I have found the wet traction to be very good for a AT tire. If fact these tires seem to perform well under almost ALL driving conditions outside of deep mud. They even wear VERY well. Also.....every on line Tire dealer that shows reviews by customers who have bought these tires in this size (and other sizes), say the wet traction is well above average.
Granted my tires are 1" thiner than yours, and I run the fronts at 34LBS/rear32LBS, I dont think that should make a big difference in wet traction......OH and BTW mine have like 6000 miles on them......and are wearing perfectly (I also always get a front end alignment when I put on a new set of tires on any of my cars/trucks).
If I was you, I would try dropping the pressure and then find a wet road and slam on the brakes to see if you can get her to lock up too easily, or duplicate the situation that occurred when you hit the Volvo, but in a safer environment and see how the truck behaves with the pressure set a bit lower?????
Granted my tires are 1" thiner than yours, and I run the fronts at 34LBS/rear32LBS, I dont think that should make a big difference in wet traction......OH and BTW mine have like 6000 miles on them......and are wearing perfectly (I also always get a front end alignment when I put on a new set of tires on any of my cars/trucks).
If I was you, I would try dropping the pressure and then find a wet road and slam on the brakes to see if you can get her to lock up too easily, or duplicate the situation that occurred when you hit the Volvo, but in a safer environment and see how the truck behaves with the pressure set a bit lower?????
Last edited by Streetgang; May 24, 2005 at 12:08 PM.
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,899
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From: Lynnwood, WA
In general, wider tires need to be run at a lower pressure than skinnier ones. I don't know of any quick and easy to way to figure out what is the optimal pressure because it's kinda difficult to see the shape of a contact patch. 30 - 32 psi is may be all that you need. ((35 psi * 9.5") / 11.50") = 28.9 psi
Actually, I'm thinking about getting a very strong piece of clear plastic or glass, lift the car and put it underneath the tire, and examine the shape of the contact patch that way.
Actually, I'm thinking about getting a very strong piece of clear plastic or glass, lift the car and put it underneath the tire, and examine the shape of the contact patch that way.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: N. Gwinnett Co. Georgia
Muckypaws,
Siping is a great traction adder as well as increasing the life of the tire in question. I'd run them @ 32 psig. Do you have a gereral feeling of lack of adherence on wet pavement or was it an isolated issue? A newly damp road will have deposited oil/tire material, and other fluids "sitting on top" of the pavement if it has not rained enough to wash the road clear. The tires you are running have show well in many instances and it is possible that the "dampness" is the issue. If it was after a hard rain and the road was washed clean, I don't know then. Try the pressure angle. Good luck.
Siping is a great traction adder as well as increasing the life of the tire in question. I'd run them @ 32 psig. Do you have a gereral feeling of lack of adherence on wet pavement or was it an isolated issue? A newly damp road will have deposited oil/tire material, and other fluids "sitting on top" of the pavement if it has not rained enough to wash the road clear. The tires you are running have show well in many instances and it is possible that the "dampness" is the issue. If it was after a hard rain and the road was washed clean, I don't know then. Try the pressure angle. Good luck.
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