Tire pressures for towing.

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Since I new to trailer towing, I'm looking for some advice. The 2001 owner's manual gives tire pressures for light and heavy loads, but is unclear about tire pressures for towing. I have a car trailer that weighs about 5,000 pounds gross when loaded, but has a tongue weight of only 150 pounds. What tire pressure does this situation call for? Thanks for the info.

 

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When towing a light trailer 5000 lbs or less you will want your tire pressure close to a light load setting. . you should have around 500 pounds of tongue weight.

THE MOST IMPORTANT thing to keep in mind when towing is that you want the trailer tongue weight 10% to around 15% of the total trailer weight.

If it is less than that the trailer may/will start swaying --it can be so severe as to cause a loss of control even with double and triple axle trailers. .

I always test the setup after I have the trailer loaded --drive slowly up to a safe towing speed keeping an eye on the trailer in the mirror. If it seems ok I slow down a little then gently but a little quick turn side to side a coulple of feet If the trailer wags it's tail a little I add weight to the front of the trailer. Maybe by moving the car foward on the trailer by 1 to 1 1/2 ft. or loading my toolboxes and coolers out of my truck onto the front of the trailer. Believe me this makes all the difference in the world!

You may already know all this if so sorry for the long post'

Two other towing tips: Hook up the trailer brakes. . they are worth their weight in gold and may save your life.
Also they come in handy in case you do have a trailer swaying out of control-- with most electric brake controls you can manualy apply the trailer brakes only --which helps alot. As applying your truck brakes usually makes the swaying worse.
I hope I this helps ..... #ad
KWIK #ad


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"Have you driven OVER a phord lately"
2001 2500 BRT WHT SPORT QUADCAB 4X4 ETH 3. 54LSD TRLR CMPR PKG ALL OPT XCPT LTHR

[This message has been edited by KWIKKURT (edited 09-08-2000). ]

 

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Right on the money re: 10 to 15% of weight on hitch. As far as tire pressure, stop at a scale and weigh both axels on your truck and then, from a tire dealer get a copy of the load limits for tire pressure and be governed accordingly. Don't pay any attention to what the truck mfg. gives as tire pressure, go only by information provided by the tire mfg. This is what got Firestone in trouble, Frawd trying to make the explorer ride nice, with no regard for the load being carried.
Good luck!

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Denny

 

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Here is the math.

Find a truck scales and get your truck weighed, The scales should tell you your front, rear & combined weights. then look at the rating on your tires. (Should be something like 3042 @ 80 psi for singles and different # for duals)
Take your axle weight and divide it by the # of tires you have; then divide the per tire weight by the rating and multiply that by the max tire pressure (80 psi).
For example, my 2500's rear axle weighs 3,300 lbs and my tires are each rated at 3042 lbs @ 80 psi. To calc the tire pressure; (1650/3042) x 80 psi = 43. 4 psi. The front axle weighs 4,300 lbs, so the tire press is (2150/3042) x 80 psi = 56. 5 psi.

Barry Horner
Lake Forest
Orange County, Ca

2001, SLT+, ETH, 6 speed, White quad cab, short bed, Sport, 2wd , 3:54 anti spin, Camper Special with trailer tow, 16x8 Forged Aluminum with 265x75 tires, Fog lights, Audio controls steering wheel mounted, AM/FM cassette with CD, Travel Convenience group, Keyless entry with remote, Leather agate heated seats. Line-X bed liner. ARE LS 2 taunau cover. Pillar mount boost and EGT.