There are TWO tire stickers on the drivers door - an official blue Ford sticker and another colored sticker. Both say 60# front, 80# rear.

The tires are Hankook Dynapro AS - LT 245/75R16 w/ max pressure of 80# shown on the sidewall.

I checked the paperwork from the first service (@ 3,000 miles). The dealer logged the tire pressure at 50# for all 4 tires.

In getting ready for a road trip, I checked the pressure today - they're all at 50#.

Should I bump the pressure up to 60/80, or leave them at 50?

 

I run 60/80 w/ michelins on my 04. When I got it all the tires were set at 50. I honestly can't tell much difference but I thought my gas mileage would be better with the higher pressures.

 

jeffnick,

The 60/80 recommendation from Ford is for both handling and load-carrying capability. Officially, Ford built the truck and knows what's best with the OEM tires.

Having stated the official party line for all the lawyers out there, I'll tell you I ran the recommended 60/80 in the stock Goodyears on my '03 E350. When it came time for new tires, I chose to install some Michelins (with the same 80# max pressure rating). I aired 'em up to 60/80 and had an unsafe nightmare on my hands! The truck wouldn't go where I wanted, just where IT wanted... Went back to the dealer, they called Michelin, got advice from their techs to go 47/65 AS LONG AS I WAS LIGHTLY LOADED. This made a huge difference, the truck is now better mannered than with the OEMs, it handles great.

Bottomline, it's kinda up to what you want/need. Best gas mileage means highest pressure possible (within Ford's specs...). Highest carry and/or tow capacity would also mandate high pressure. Best handling or ride may actually be achieved at the lower pressure, and the dealer has covered your "bottom" if you like the ride at 50psi.

Soooo... I've found the best balance for me with the Michelins to be 47/65. Good gas mileage, great ride, good capacity, superb handling.

DadVan

 

Do as the Ford sticker says.

 

Thanks for the replies...
I pumped them up to 60/80. She's easier to steer and feels lighter on the road; even seems a little quieter on the Interstate with no change in ride on the smooth roads. She does however, transfer the road bumps more.

I'm towing the travel trailer to the coast this weekend - we'll she how she does.

DadVan - I've read where some class B Ford RV's handle well and others not so well. I wonder if it's just a matter of tire pressure?

 

jeffnick,

Yah, I'm sure tire pressure is at least part of the equation, but there's so much more it can be instead and/or...

I hold the opinion that Ford really does know best, especially with the OEM tires on a stock E350. RVs can be another story! There's really no way Ford can ensure the RV manufacturer followed all their recommendations. Any deviation from Ford's guidelines can impact the handling in odd ways, very difficult to track down...

I'm glad you found what worked for YOU, that's exactly what I'd hoped would happen!

DadVan

 

Those tires will wear quick if not at 80 psi, I think I have near 30,000 on my Cooper E 245/80's, I have an ext E-350. They say 60 because these suckers are hard and ride a little harsh, they are 10 plies, you can't expect the light truck feel, but look at the vehicle they are on. I can't imagine dropping it below 60 psi because the sidewall roll you'd experience.

 

Ya. It's bad enough at 80 psi. I think my fronts are 80 and the dually rears are 65 or something like that. Thank goodness for dually's on my RV. With that rear overhang it would wag like crazy without them. Now if I could just stop digging into the city street with the rear drag bars evertime I back out of my driveway.

 

I want to dually mine out, I'll get a 4.10 dually axle and opt for load "D" instead of the "E" required.

 

Even with the duallies on mine I run them at 80 PSI in the rear, 55 in the front, all are E rated.

 

you can run the same pressure front and rear if you ar not/or lightly loaded to improve the ride.
one way of checking correct tire pressure for other than stock conditions is to chalk line rest them. draw chalk line across the tread and drive the vehicle forward(no turning) so that the wheels turn over a few times, when the chalk line wears away evenly the tire pressure is good(start at recomended). it is also what you need to do when running oversied tires.