2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission 01 CTD drw 3500 tire pressure??

[aerialimage]

Ok I have no books with this truck as the last owner must have needed them when he sold it!

Does anyone know what tire pressure I should be running!

michelins 235/85 16 LTX MS tires!

Thanks in advance for any help!

2001 CTD DRW 3500 4x4 auto QC

 

[Dave M]

My 97 3500 (DRW, 4X4, Club Cab, Long Bed, spd manual) drivers door jamb lists the cold tire pressure for stock 215/85/R16-E front tires at 70 PSI and rear at 65 PSI.



I have 235/85/R16-E BFG All Terrain T/A and the pressure on the side wall is 80 PSI max. I am currently running 55 PSI but have ruined 2 new tires in the right front in the last 7 months (since August). I had a slight pull to right even after alignment. The tire was wearing at an angle on the outside edge bad enough that a new tire worn out in 3 months.



To make a long story short (I've been all thru the front end replacing parts) I found a good alignment shop and they adjusted the camber at the ball joint using offset sleeves and now it feels right.



When I asked the alignment shop what pressures I should run he said 70 PSI.



That's what I am going to try.



I'll be interested in seeing other opinions on this.



Good luck,

Dave

 

[BigIronRam]

My door jamb says 65 F, 50 R.

 

[Dave M]

My door jamb says 65 F, 50 R.

Geeezzzz... . I guess the Dodge boys just can't make up their mind on this.

 

[aerialimage]

Thanks

Ok I will have to check my door jam for info there! Sounds like 70 is a good number though and 65 in the rear! Thanks for the help!

I think I will be parting with this nice truck soon to help fund a very large garage building project!

I am just trying to take care of the couple less than perfect items on it so the new owner will not have to do anything to it!

Thanks for the help!

 

[PC12Driver]

Geeezzzz... . I guess the Dodge boys just can't make up their mind on this.

Two different size tires. 215's on the older trucks (smaller contact patch=more psi needed for same weight carried) and 235's on his 2001. The 65 psi front/50 psi rear is correct for the 2001 when loaded at max weight.



Since the front axle is always right about at max weight, 65 psi would be a good starting point (that's where mine is set). And unless you're always running around with 3500 lbs in the bed you may want to run a little less psi in the rears. I run 30 psi and that gives me a pretty decent wear pattern (still a little overinflated, but I won't go any lower just in case I do carry something). And then when I tow the 5ver on vacation I'll run the rears back up to 50 psi.

 

[Dave M]

I found a booklet in my glove compartment labeled "Tire Inflation Pressures 1997 Light Duty Trucks Wagons & Vans" from Chrysler. It is full of charts for max load and tire pressures. For 3500-Dually- 4x4 chart there is a light load and full load section. Light Load - up to 2 passengers and 200 lbs cargo. Full Load - includes up to Full GVW load.



If you have 10,500 GVW Diesel (without the snow plow option) for light Load: 60 psi front (75 psi if snow plow) & 40 psi rear. For Full Load its 70 front (80 psi if snow plow) and 60 psi rear.



If you have 11,000 GVW Diesel (without snow plow option) for Light Load: 65 psi front (80 psi if snow plow) & 40 psi rear. For Full Load: 70 psi front (80 psi if snow plow), 65 psi rear.



So it looks like the door jam gives Full Load Data.



Justs adds to your confusion and mine.



Dave

 

[Dave M]

Two different size tires. 215's on the older trucks (smaller contact patch=more psi needed for same weight carried) and 235's on his 2001. The 65 psi front/50 psi rear is correct for the 2001 when loaded at max weight.



Since the front axle is always right about at max weight, 65 psi would be a good starting point (that's where mine is set). And unless you're always running around with 3500 lbs in the bed you may want to run a little less psi in the rears. I run 30 psi and that gives me a pretty decent wear pattern (still a little overinflated, but I won't go any lower just in case I do carry something). And then when I tow the 5ver on vacation I'll run the rears back up to 50 psi.

I didn't see this post till later. Good info. Since I'm running 235/85R16-E I'm going to set the front at 65 PSI and rear at 40 PSI. Thanks for the info.



Dave

 

[RustyJC]

My door sticker (2WD 3500 with LT235/85R-16E) says 60 front, 55 rear at max GAWRs.



Rusty

 

[RClark]

My 02, 2wd says 50psi rear 55 psi front. i have run the scales and withiut the trailer i run 35 in each rear tire. With the trailer the weight is such that 40 psi is enough.

Go to goodyears website and they will have a weight/pressure chart you can download.

 

[Bart]

I run my 3500 at 80 all the way around. As a rule, when I drive it it's loaded with a 10'6" Lance camper, pulling a steel car trailer with a Bronco off roader on it. The tire sidewall calls for 80 max and that's where I'm putting mine. Less rolling resistance means more fuel mileage.

 

[PC12Driver]

Less rolling resistance means more fuel mileage.

Then the question becomes does the fuel savings from the overinflated tires offset the cost of premature tire wear.

 

[Bart]

Regular rotations and running at max pressure for a full GVWR won't prematurely wear them out. Running them at lower pressures while at max GVWR will. 90% of the time I work my truck or it's in the garage and I drive a lesser vehicle. I get 40-50K out of my tires. I watch my whole rig like a hawk for anything out of the ordinary and take care of it now.

 

[SnoKing]

Then the question becomes does the fuel savings from the overinflated tires offset the cost of premature tire wear.

He also has less contact patch, which means less braking and the tires can be damage by impact easier. I talked to Michelin last week, and they say to follow the load charts, even on a trailer and that it is a myth that goes around and around that you are better off with max sidewall air. SNOKING

 

[lowboy]

Manual for my '02 3500 calls for 45 lbs. in the rear when empty. Which is still overinflated. I'm going to drop them to 40 and see what happens.



Quick and dirty way to get inflation pressures close: feel the side wall. You want them warm, not cold or hot. Cold means the pressure is so high the side wall isn't flexing. Hot (and I mean you can't leave your hand on the side wall without burning it) means it's flexing too much and is subject to blow. Warm is just right.

 

[RClark]

My door sticker says I have a 7500lb rear axle. This is on a 1 ton truck. That is 1875 lbs per tire Which by the Goodyear chart is only 50psi. Is I have to inflete more than that i am overloading. The sidewall fogure is MAX pressure.

 

[RustyJC]

My door sticker says I have a 7500lb rear axle. This is on a 1 ton truck. That is 1875 lbs per tire Which by the Goodyear chart is only 50psi. Is I have to inflete more than that i am overloading. The sidewall fogure is MAX pressure.

Apparently Dodge gives themselves a little leeway - the sticker rear axle GAWR on my truck is 7500 lbs @ 55 PSIG (LT235/85R-16E).



Rusty

 

[RClark]

4WD vs 2WD

 

[RustyJC]

Nope, the 6x4 is a running joke - 6 wheels, 4 driven. Mine is a 2WD truck, as is RClark's. The only difference I know of is that mine has a 21,500 GCWR, but that has nothing to do with the weight carried by the rear axle.



Rusty