Since I bought new tires, do I use the Trucks door plate pressure or the tire recommended? I will be towing 8k lbs

The tire shop aired up the tires to 80lbs. This is a 2004 2500 Diesel, So which one should I use?

50 in front and 70 pounds in rear
OR
80 lbs all around?

Going to California so I get to cross a desert, Any help would be appreciated.

 

Stock size tire on a stock truck I use the door plate when loaded, lower in the winter for traction when not loaded. If doing a long trip not loaded I will drop the rears a little to 60psi to give a smoother ride.

 

On my 06 it says 55 front and 70 back, I tow a 36ft 5th wheel and I run 60 f and 70 b and my tire ware is even and it seems to be just fine, 80 all around is just to rough for me.

 

Stock tire size, on a stock truck.

I think I will go with the door numbers. Thank you, guys. Just couldn't understand why the tire shop put in 80lbs as stated on the tire.

Will the tires run cooler at 80lbs? or is that a bad thing to do when crossing Mojave Desert?

 

There is this... it take's longer to inflate a tire than it does to let the air out of.. I only take in loose rims never the vehicle so those wheels could be going onto a trailer, if they are "E" rated tires they are supposed to be 80 psi so I kind of like it when they inflate to 80 PSI. I do usually tell them what to inflate to but when I forget it's kind of nice to find them at 80 psi. I can easily let them down...just saying

 

I'll be happy, as long as I make it without an air letting event.

 

With 5500# on my rear axle, when towing, I've always have run 80#, on the rears, on my last two trucks. I usually run 50# on the front and when driving solo.
John

 

Thanks , John.

 

Passenger vehicle tires have the option of running pressures which are dependent on the tires ratings, size, tread width, rim, and load. What I mean is, you dont have to run 80 psi simply because thats the maximum rating for that tire. Understanding that the tire is rated to carry X amount of load at that maximum psi is whats important. Tires will not only perform different at different pressures, but will also wear different. Most people will watch the wear pattern on the tread to understand how much of the tread is touching the ground at the same time. A tire wearing in the middle can be from an over-inflation, whereas under-inflation can wear out the edges faster. This is a rule of thumb and will depend on rim size in relation to the tire size. But in saying that, if you're hauling heavy then you may need the tire maximum capacity so you'll run the maximum air pressure. For instance, an E rated 285 can have a max rating of around 3200 lbs at max psi. Do you think the back of your truck weighs 6400 lbs? So in reality, just those two tires can handle almost the entire weight of the truck, which means that they dont need to be a max inflation all the time. They turn to rocks and offer a very jarring ride. I have E rated tires with 80 psi max. I run about 70 psi in the front because the Cummins engine is so heavy but only around 50-55 psi in the rear, unless I'm towing my 5th wheel. Then I have 80 psi in the rear to handle the pin weight.

Just to add some info to that since this is in the towing section..... ALWAYS run your trailer tires at maximum psi. They're designed different than passenger tires and require running at max psi all the time and cant be "tuned" with psi like passenger tires can.

 

You can look for a chart on the tire mfg's website and it will tell you what the tire is rated to carry at certain pressures. use that chart along with correct knowledge of what your load really weighs to select an exact air pressure

One example here: http://www.michelinrvtires.com/miche...ion-tables.jsp

 

I'll add that you should calculate your actual load and inflate the tires to that load. If the load varies, or is a guess, go on the high side, especially for hot weather and high speed running.

 

80 psi will make the tires run cooler. Not a bad thing in the summer. Heat kills tires.

 

I run the rears near the max when towing (75-80psi), better trailer stability and mpgs. Center of the tire wears faster though.

 

I'm running 60 in front and 75 in the rear now. I was doing pretty good until crosswinds picked up.

What I notice with more front tire pressure is the front end isn't bouncing as much.

Thanks for the great advice and good read. Very appreciated!

Rik

 

You're welcome.....but running more psi in the rear when unloaded will create a harsh uncomfortable ride and wear. The front axle will always have about 5000 lbs on it but the rear will only have about 3000 lbs on it unless loaded.