2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission tire pressure

[Cowboy Medic]

Will be putting new BFG 235/85's on my dually in a couple of weeks, I find I am driving empty about 90% of the time lately but will probably be back to hauling heavy again come summer, what tire pressure do you recommend in order to make my new tires last as long as possible?

 

[Berrigan]

I put the same size on my dually. With the factory rim thats the largest you can go. I still had to put a 1/4 inch spacer between the rear duals because they would kiss each other when loaded and hitting bumps in the road. Anyway I run 80 psi front always. The fronts wear even and wear well. The rears I run 55-60 empty and 70-80 loaded. The reason I dont max out the rears is because that tire size will wear in the middle on the stock rim. Even at 60 psi you must rotate often or the rears will bald in the center prematurely.



I have had 4000 lbs in the bed with 70 psi and the sidewall flex is not even noticable. And im gettin about 40,000 miles per set. Pathfinder radials made by Goodyear.

 

[Gizmo 007]

every brand tire is going to be a little different from the others. With Michelin LTX 235/85 I run 65 psi front and 55 psi rear empty. When I get ready to do a lot of hauling, I air the rears to 70psi. Tires wear very evenly.

 

[1tuffram]

While on the issue of tire pressure, what are you guys running for the stock Michilen's all season 265's??? I believe the Michelin tire pamplet with the owners manual for my 2002 truck says 45psi front and 40 rear empty (would have to go double check these numbers again). The front tires look quite "squashed" under the weight of the Cummins with only 45psi. I was going to call the dealer service dept and ask, but since this thread came up I'll ask here first.

 

[jgillott]

I also felt that the front 265's looked a little flat at 45lbs empty. I moved it up to 50 and it took a little of that look out. It doesn't seem to have started any problem in the center yet. (10K)

 

[1tuffram]

Originally posted by jgillott

I also felt that the front 265's looked a little flat at 45lbs empty. I moved it up to 50 and it took a little of that look out. It doesn't seem to have started any problem in the center yet. (10K)

Yeh, I bumped the pressure up to 55 psi but was concerned about over-inflation wear.

 

[FDziurda]

Calculate Tire Pressures

Cowboy,

The best way I have found to get the right tire pressures is to calculate them.



First, take your truck to the scales, and weigh it (front & rear axles).



Look at the side of your tires and you will see the max load rating at probably 80 psi. There is usually two #s; one for singles and one for duals.



I'll use my truck (2500 4x4) as and example: My Michelin ATs are rated at 3042 lbs at 80 psi and my front axle weight is 4300#.



You divide the axle weight by the total load capacity of the tires and then multiply by 80 psi. 4300#/6084# X 80 psi = 56. 5 psi.



Similarily, my rear axle weighs 3300#, so it's 3300/6084 X 80 = 43. 4 psi.



To make it easy to remember, I round these numbers up to an easy number to remember, ie; 60 front - 45 rear.



Since you have a dually, you will want to use the numbers on the tires for duals and the load capacity of 4 tires on the rear.



I have been using this method for years with excellent results.



Good Luck,



Frank Dz

 

[RKohn]

Good idea Frank.

I weighed mine, but instead of doing the math, I called Nitto. Michelin sends a load rating chart with the truck new. It would be nice if you got one with aftermarket tires.



rick

 

[mikel]

On my stock 265's I run 50 front and 45 rear empty and 60 front and 75 rear if loaded. I have almost 32k on them right now and it looks like they will make it to 45-50k. I did the #'s according to the weight of each end of the truck and it came out within 5psi, so I just stick to what's easy for me to remember.



Good luck,

Mike

 

[Okie-Go]

I try to keep 66 on all corners. I also have an aux tank that will add some weight. I bump the rear up to 80 when hauling heavy loads. With just the 14ft. tagalong with the 4 wheelers in it I just leave them alone.