Tire pressure when empty

[Po' Riggity]

I run 50 psi all the way around on my 2500 LB.

Scott

 

[JVantreese]

It is nerver really lightly loaded.

My truck has the same problem as my garage. Things go in it and seem to never get removed. This problem is resolved by keeping all 5 tires at 60 pounds. I find that this is also easy for me to remember when I'm having a senior moment.

 

[rbattelle]

keeping all 5 tires at 60 pounds.

JVantreese brings up a good point. Whatever tire pressure you run, please be sure to always check the spare!

 

[klenger]

See http://www.klenger.net/dodge/3rd-gen-reference/2004-tire-inflation-pressures.pdf for the Dodge tire pressure charts. Last page is the most usefull.



I run 60 - 65 PSI on all 4 (SRW). When I am towing, my front and rear axles are pretty much ballanced. I tow about once a month, and don't want to mess with changing the rear pressure, so I leave it up all the time. Another advantage to even tire pressures is that when I have Discount Tire rotate the tires, they can't get it messed up. No matter how many times I tell them what pressures I want front and rear, they seem not to be able to read.



I also put some P-Touch lables inside of each fender well with the tire pressure, lug nut torque, and lug nut size for easy reference.

 

[Kirwin]

P-Touch labels

klenger I like your posts because you are always so clear with the things you post; but what is a P-Touch label???

 

[klenger]

See http://www.officedepot.com/ddSKU.do?level=SK&id=680548&uniqueSearchFlag=true&Ntt=p-touch&An=text for an example of a Brother P-Touch label system.



#ad

 

[Kirwin]

Tires pressures

Since I use my dually for trailer towing exclusively I maintain 65 PSI in all 6 (actually all 7 but I don't usually run the spare on the ground) per Dodge's tire inflation chart that came with my truck. I use the tire load vs inflation pressure table for the travel trailer which equates to 70 PSI in the trailer tires. So far the only real abnormal truck tire wear on the 03 is the outside edge of the front tires which I believe is due to it being a 4X4. I rotated at 18K and the set on the front now are already showing some wear on the outside edge. All my vehicles usually get good tire milage usually around 60K miles per set but I have seen this same wear pattern on all my 4X4s. The 03 is my first dually so I sticking with Dodge's recommended pressures until I determine that a different pressure would result in a better wear pattern. I will say that the front tires always look under inflated to me, and I know that that Cummins is heavy! What has surprised me is that I thought that with a dually that I would see much lower tire wear rates on the rear tires since I now have 4 tires carrying the same load as the two tires on my 97. But I would predict that all 6 tires on the dually will require replacement at about 60K. What do you other guys pulling trailers see for tire life on the rear axle of your duallies? Ken Irwin

 

[Kirwin]

Thanks klenger

I never knew what those labels were called but now I stand educated. Do those labels stay glued under the fenders without coming off? Ken Irwin

 

[klenger]

yes, they do. They are also pretty much immune to water and UV light. I have them on my camper for tire and wheel ratings, dump valve locations, jack locations, and emergency contact phone number. Lot's of use around the house too. VHS labels, file folder labels, storage box labels, etc. The unit that I linked to is a bit pricy at about $100, but they have many good models much cheaper. Stay away from the cheaper "M" style tape label systems as the tape is not UV tolerant. The better machines use the "TZ" tapes.

 

[PenguinCool]

I have found the best way for maximizing tire life and performance is by measuring the temperature across the tread.

Warmer in the center drop the pressure, warmer on the edges incresse pressure, work at it until temp is even. Seems to work on everything except motorcycle tires

 

[klenger]

PenguinCool: Welcome to the TDR. Please complete your signature so that we know more about you. Just in case it's not too late, stay away from any discussions around here that are about "bombing". You have been warned.

 

[kober]

Thanks for all the info. I now have a label next to the factory label that tells me to run 55 front and 40 rear when empty. I too use my labeler with the TZ labels all over my camper, truck, boat etc. Helps get over the senior moments.

 

[KevinSmith]

According to the tire salesman I talked to Start with your tires at recomended psi. Start checking your actual mpg. As you start changig your pressures keep an eye on your mileage. When you achieve your best average mpg you will get your best tire life.

If you tow more do this with your trailer as well, all pressures should be within 15 psi of side wall recomendations.

 

[Tim]

According to the tire salesman I talked to Start with your tires at recomended psi. Start checking your actual mpg. As you start changig your pressures keep an eye on your mileage. When you achieve your best average mpg you will get your best tire life.

If you tow more do this with your trailer as well, all pressures should be within 15 psi of side wall recomendations.

This is complete and utter nonsense. Here's why:



#1 No matter what, an increase in tire pressure is going to decrease rolling resistance and increase fuel economy as a result. I don't think there's any question that a flat tire has a lot of rolling resistance, much more than a tire at the proper pressure. Same concept for 30 psi vs. 80 psi.



#2 The side wall does not list a recommended pressure, only a pressure requirement for maximum load. There is no reason to have a tire at max psi unless you expect it to be at max load.



#3 Max tire life occurs at optimum pressure, which is likely somewhere between the recommended light load pressures, and max pressure. You want all of your tire to wear evenly, too much pressure and the center will wear faster, too little and the shoulder will wear too quickly.



I don't know where you got your previous information but you're misinformed.



This is how I've been taught to find optimum pressure:



Make a graph with load in the X axis, and PSI in the Y axis. Draw a straight line line from zero in the bottom left corner,to max load (per the tire) at the max PSI in the upper right hand corner. Weigh your truck. My truck weighs about 4300 lbs on the front axle. That's 2150 per tire. Find 2150 on your graph and adjust the pressure to where the graph tells you that you need to be. This will get you very close to optimum pressure for good traction, treadlife, and MPG, without going too high.



This is further why I check my tire pressure before I hook up my trailer. I might only have 40 PSI in there empty, but I always go to 75 PSI minimum when the trailer is going to be back there.

 

[JHardwick]

I personally run 65 in the steer tires and 50 in the rears (duals). The steer tires are always gonna wear more on the edges unless you are grossly over inflated.



I just watch the buldge and tire wear, nothing scientific, just a simple observation.



Funny thing, when I raced sprinters on dirt, I'd adjust the RR according to tire roll. A flimsy dirt tire with 10PSI will look flat sitting in the pits, but stand up like those on a top fuel dragster coming down the front stretch at 150MPH. I adjusted air according to how far up the sidewall the dirt line went. On a dry/slick track it took less air to get the tire to roll under a tad in the corners, on a wet/tacky track it took more air to keep the tire from rolling under too far ... ... ... ... nothing scientific here either, just simple observations.

 

[abdiver]

Tire wear

I don't have a dually, but I run 80 psi in all four corners, all the time. Tire tread is even across the whole width of the tire so far with 25,000 miles.

I will be lucky to get 12K on my set Lots of windy roads in my area. The price I pay living on the coast

 

[JHardwick]

I will be lucky to get 12K on my set Lots of windy roads in my area. The price I pay living on the coast

I got 68,000 miles out of my factory GSA's ... ... ... ... . these Courser C/T's are gona be another story

 

[abdiver]

I got 68,000 miles out of my factory GSA's ... ... ... ... . these Courser C/T's are gona be another story

You must have straight roads in Ohio or at least where you drive I sure wish I could get half that kind of wear on my tires



Around here you go through brakes and tires. Roads around here are like this

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS lots and lots of curves did I say tight curves. Each time I go to town (over the hill) its a min of 100 miles round trip



Bill

 

[rbattelle]

I'm now running 60 up front and 55 out back. Empty all the time.



-Ryan

 

[nauidvr1]

I run 55 up front. Unloaded.



-Ryan

I'm now running 60 up front and 55 out back. Empty all the time.



-Ryan

Ryan,

Why did you change your pressures from 55 up front to 60/55. Just curious.



I run 65 front 50 rear on both trucks.