Dually Air Pressure

[RClark]

The original setup from Dodge for checking air pressure on dual rear wheels leaves a lot to be desired. I have tried using Wheel Master extensions but they seem to loose the gasket sealing them to the stem, (Replacement steel stems) which might be the problem.

Does anybody have a particular brand of extension they have had good luck with.

?

 

[DLBurns]

Got mine from Camperworld, don't know the brand name but I have not had any problems in over 3 years with them.

 

[Grizzly]

I don't use extensions, I have had problems with them breaking off and flattening the tire. I use a long stem truckers double headed gauge to check air pressure and I use a long stem double headed air nozzle with a built-in gauge to add air. You use the outside head (the one farthest on the stem) to check the inside wheel and the inside head to check air on the outside wheel. I hope this makes sense to you, it works for me.

 

[RClark]

How many holes do your wheels have? My 2002 has 7 which can make it a tight fight to access the stems

 

[Grizzly]

How many holes do your wheels have? My 2002 has 7 which can make it a tight fight to access the stems

You don't put your hand through the holes. That why I use the truckers long stem gauge and air fill nozzle. If you want you can pop the wheel skins off, then you can squeeze you hand through the holes. I have big hands, but I can get them through. The wheel cover skins are pain to get them back on.

 

[RJOL]

... I use a long stem truckers double headed gauge to check air pressure and I use a long stem double headed air nozzle with a built-in gauge to add air.

I use one of these too, but the crummy stock valve stems have a tendency to "bend over" which makes it hard to get the pressure gauge to seat. I'm going to take the truck to Les Scwab, for the first tire rotation, and have them balance them and put metal stems in... .

 

[DaveK98]

My 05 dually has these weird caps that go over the valve stems. Looks like (and I've done it) you can fill them up and check them without removing the caps? Am a I right?



Also, I tow a 10k 5th wheel rv. Should I run the tires at the max inflation load printed on the door?



Thx

 

[Grizzly]

My 05 dually has these weird caps that go over the valve stems. Looks like (and I've done it) you can fill them up and check them without removing the caps? Am a I right?



Also, I tow a 10k 5th wheel rv. Should I run the tires at the max inflation load printed on the door?



Thx

You are right, that's what I do. I would not run full air pressure on your truck's rear wheels. It all depends on your pin weight and whatever else you have on the bed. I keep 65 psi on my dually tires with my 4500 lb cab-over camper on. There is a tire chart on you drivers door jamb. Look at your total axle weight and divide it by 4. By the way I keep 60 psi in the front all the time and 50 in the rear 4 tires with the camper off.

 

[RClark]

I tow a 13,000lb 5th wheel. I have weighed the back axle while hooked up and the correcr inflation pressure came to 40 psi per tire.

In Oregon the chickencoops leave the scales on even when they are closed. I have heard the some other states do this also.

 

[RustyJC]

According to the door jamb sticker, 55 psig in the rears is good for my rated rear axle GAWR of 7500 lbs, and I'm nowhere close to that. Therefore, there's no reason for me to run 80 psig when towing our 5th wheel - it would just ride rougher than heck and wear the tires down the centers.



Rusty

 

[DLBurns]

Maybe I am just ignorant but I thought we were supposed to run tires at max PSI for them to wear correctly?

I just put on a new set of Michelin XPS Ribs and have them all topped out at 80 PSI.

With my fiver hooked up and the Rancho's set on 7 it rides like a conastoga wagon!

If I can reduce air pressure to get a better ride and not wear the tires unevenly I am in!

 

[azpete]

During the years of running oversized tires on light weight jeeps you can see the contact pattern of the tire to pavement. Always helped to have the tires dusty then you can see how much of the tire was on the road by the difference in shading across the tread. Rears are easy but the fronts are alittle guess work. Always ran mine to where the contact was just shy of the full contact. Works the same for these heavy trucks but takes alot more pressure up front.

 

[Grizzly]

I tow a 13,000lb 5th wheel. I have weighed the back axle while hooked up and the correcr inflation pressure came to 40 psi per tire.

In Oregon the chickencoops leave the scales on even when they are closed. I have heard the some other states do this also.

I think 40 psi is a bit low. I would think 50 to 55 psi would be more desirable and safer.

 

[RClark]

Aactually 40 is a bit above what the charts say.

At28,000 om the tires I'm showing more center wear-about 1/16 in.

 

[Grizzly]

I'd rather be a little over inflated then a little under inflated. Also consider that most gauges vary from one to another.

 

[RJOL]

Took a look again at my door stickers for recommended air pressure. My 2005 sticker says "light duty" 60 front and 40 rear. "Heavy duty" 65 in both front and rear.



Now here is the kicker. The sticker defines "light duty" as 2 X 150 people on board and 200 lbs of cargo maximum. Can you ever really see a case where you would be using "light duty" after adding things like bed liners, bed covers, running boards, or whatever...

 

[RBrunson]

Also Rick, where would you now days find two adults that only weigh 150#.

 

[Grizzly]

It's not that unusual to have two people weight 300 lbs. I weigh 40 lbs more than the average 150 lbs and my wife weighs 40 lbs less than the 150 lbs average, so together we weigh 300 lbs.