Altitude and tire pressure

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This is sort of a general automotive question, but it should be of interest to anyone who runs a heavy slide-in campers at different altitudes. When I pump up my tires at home (5400 ft) to 65 psi front and 80 psi rear and check the pressures at sea level, the front pressure is just under 60 psi and the rear is about 73. If I adjust the pressure at sea level to 65 and 80, the tires read 70 and 88 at home. So the rear pressure at high altitude is now 10% over the max recommended operating pressure of 80 psi. I routinely drive as high as 10,000 ft and am over the max GVWR, so I’m worried about damaging the rear tires. So my question is: Since a tire gauge measures the difference between atmospheric pressure (lower at high altitude) and the pressure inside the tire, should I adjust the tire pressures for sea level (overinflate about 10% at 5400 ft)? Or, would it be better to adjust the rear tires to a measured 80 psi at 5400 ft?

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1999 Quad cab 2500, SB, SLT, 4X4, 5-speed, 3. 54, tow and camper package, Lance 820 camper, Lance cabover stabilizers, Rancho 9000s, Airlift airbags

 

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Lee,I would inflate to 65/80 at the altitude you drive at most. I've always noticed more pressure variation due to temperature than altitude.

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95' 25004X4,AT,Driftwood,Banks,Warn fender flairs and running boards(Play truck)95 3500,5 speed,driftwood,Banks&phscotty,30,000 GVW apple and tractor hauler(work truck)

 

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I question why your running 80 psi in the rear tires with your Lance camper? I have the 1130 model which with our gear weighs in excess of 3800 pounds. The total weight of the truck is 12,100 pounds... I too have the AirLift bags (running at 70 psi) the Lance cab stabilizers and RS9000's set on position 4 ... . In 14,000 miles of hauling the camper, I've been running 65 psi front and 70 psi rear without any unusual tread pattern wear or tire failure... My camper dealer had inflated all the tires to 80 cold which was to harsh a ride.

I dunno just my $0. 02

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Y2K 3500, 4WD, Auto, 3. 54, Custom Brush Guard, Mopar nerf bars & rock guard, Camper package, Towing package, all options except leather, Air-Lift Air Bags, Hadley 'BULLY' air horns, Lance 1130 Camper (3400 lbs)

 

[Archive]

I agree that it makes sense to set the pressures at the altitude where you are the most. If you spend a great deal of time between sea level and 10,000 feet, then I'd set 'em at 5000 feet.

I do most of my driving at sea level, and also noticed the higher pressures at high altitude. I'm at 5400' now in Colorado, and got up as high as 10,667' going over Vail Pass. Fortunately, my tires have a 95 psi max rating, so my 75 psi all the way around works out fine. Rides great too. I did, however, drop my air springs down to 90 psi so that when I go up high again, I won't have to worry about it.

Rob
- 96 RAM 3500 4x2
- 00 Lance 1030