Tire Pressure?
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 142
Likes: 0
From: So Cal Highland
As I look back through the thread, no one said they were running beyond their tires recommended max pressure. Sorry to make assumptions. I have Toyo AT's that are rated at 50psi cold max load. I have often wondered if they could be run at a higher pressure. They just look a little under inflated at their stated pressure.
FTE Legend
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 37,887
Likes: 20
From: North Central Rural Sask.
Clay is bang on on this one. Tire pressures totally depend on the specific tire. From my experiences when working at a tire shop, I have found that a ten ply from one brand, will ride/work differently then a ten ply from another brand.
I would not go over the recomended pressure ever, as I have seen people do this and blow their tires apart.
I also recomend not running at max pressure unless you are using the max capacity of your truck. THink of it like driving your truck, you wouldnt want to run your truck at the maximum rpms all the time. Tires are no different, they need a "sweet spot" for what you are using them for.
When My truck is empty I run the tires at around the 50 mark. When I am gonna be towing or hauling my camper or boat, or equipment trailer, thats when I bump the pressures up.
Ive seen too many guys make the mpg claims, and the longevity claims when running their tires at max pressure to know that it makes very VERY little difference on MPG (like maybe 1/4 of 1 mpg) and your tires do wear out faster in the center. IMO the cost to replace the tires is always greater then the slight mpg gain.
I would not go over the recomended pressure ever, as I have seen people do this and blow their tires apart.
I also recomend not running at max pressure unless you are using the max capacity of your truck. THink of it like driving your truck, you wouldnt want to run your truck at the maximum rpms all the time. Tires are no different, they need a "sweet spot" for what you are using them for.
When My truck is empty I run the tires at around the 50 mark. When I am gonna be towing or hauling my camper or boat, or equipment trailer, thats when I bump the pressures up.
Ive seen too many guys make the mpg claims, and the longevity claims when running their tires at max pressure to know that it makes very VERY little difference on MPG (like maybe 1/4 of 1 mpg) and your tires do wear out faster in the center. IMO the cost to replace the tires is always greater then the slight mpg gain.
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 168
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From: North Carolina
Thanks for your thoughts, you make some interesting points. I never have understood why someone would go over a recommended pressure, just not paying attention maybe?
I suppose you can't really tell how a tire is going to wear other than watching it over time. I have to go find myself a new pressure gauge -- consternation is 80 psi tires and a 60 psi gauge. Gah! Oh well, will just keep that one for using on the horse trailer tires.
I suppose you can't really tell how a tire is going to wear other than watching it over time. I have to go find myself a new pressure gauge -- consternation is 80 psi tires and a 60 psi gauge. Gah! Oh well, will just keep that one for using on the horse trailer tires.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 699
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From: northern Michigan
I pull horses around and run the LT235/85R16 M&S E. M&S means the tire has a mud & snow thread pattern. The E is the load range. I also normally keep them at 80 PSI which is what the tire calls for at full load rating. Run a tire to low and it will get hot and you end up with thread seperation or a blow out. I would have to check but I believe the low in pressure on my tires is 65 psig. I also have observed that if you use the oil change places they seem to think that all tires require 28-30 psi (thier compreesor is omnly capable of 45psi)and will let air out of tires higher then that. I wacked a couple in the back of the head for that and now they have a note in the computer about correct tire pressures.
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 168
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From: North Carolina
Right now, I'm hauling the horse about every weekend, so I'll keep 'em full!
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26,966
Likes: 50
From: Texas
Did you ever tell us what brand of tires you're running? I've had some Pirelli Scorpions that became bald in the middle (like they were overinflated) in 30k miles after running them around 70 psi.
How big is your horse 
My Sundowner is 5400 lbs empty. Throw 2 or 3 horses in there and you're still below 10k lbs with horses & trailer. Don't be scared to bump the pressure down to around 70 for a little smoother ride. When I pulled 22k lbs trailers I ran 80 psi. Under 10k, you'll be fine at 70 in the back and 65 in the front.
Tell us what tires you have (if you've already done this and I missed it, I'm sorry) and we might be able to offer our opinion of them. I've tried a few different brands, and I can tell you what I think of each of those.
My Sundowner is 5400 lbs empty. Throw 2 or 3 horses in there and you're still below 10k lbs with horses & trailer. Don't be scared to bump the pressure down to around 70 for a little smoother ride. When I pulled 22k lbs trailers I ran 80 psi. Under 10k, you'll be fine at 70 in the back and 65 in the front.Tell us what tires you have (if you've already done this and I missed it, I'm sorry) and we might be able to offer our opinion of them. I've tried a few different brands, and I can tell you what I think of each of those.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 789
Likes: 16
From: West Coast/L.A. Area
Thanks for your thoughts, you make some interesting points. I never have understood why someone would go over a recommended pressure, just not paying attention maybe?
I suppose you can't really tell how a tire is going to wear other than watching it over time. I have to go find myself a new pressure gauge -- consternation is 80 psi tires and a 60 psi gauge. Gah! Oh well, will just keep that one for using on the horse trailer tires.
I suppose you can't really tell how a tire is going to wear other than watching it over time. I have to go find myself a new pressure gauge -- consternation is 80 psi tires and a 60 psi gauge. Gah! Oh well, will just keep that one for using on the horse trailer tires.
Just a side note: I read in an RV magazine that you can run most tires at 10 lbs over max pressure without danger. I sure don't recommend that but there you go.
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 168
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From: North Carolina
Chris, it was on the first page, they are Uniroyals -- like I said, not what I would pick, I'd way rather have Michelins on there, but the dealer put them on and I'm not going to spend the money until they run out. Maybe I have an ulterior motive to make them wear out faster so I can get better tires...
True point on the weight too -- with my horse in it, my trailer's only about 5000 lbs.
True point on the weight too -- with my horse in it, my trailer's only about 5000 lbs.
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