Tire Pressure

[Jack46]

I'm sure this has been asked many times and I could not find anything in the archives, so here it goes.

Our Silverado 2500 HD calls for a cold tire pressure at 60#front and 70#rear. What is your experience with increasing the pressures when towing Thanks

[SteveH]

Originally Posted by Jack46

I'm sure this has been asked many times and I could not find anything in the archives, so here it goes.

Our Silverado 2500 HD calls for a cold tire pressure at 60#front and 70#rear. What is your experience with increasing the pressures when towing Thanks

The answer to this question will frequently be different depending on vehicle, and trailer.

As an example, when I towed with a GMC 2500 to get the best stability I needed 60psi in the front tires, and 80 psi in the rear tires. However since I got my Ram 2500 with the heavy Cummins engine, I must run 70 or 75psi all the way around to get the stability needed while towing.

It's almost always a trial and error type thing to find the best tire air pressure needed for your setup.

[JBinKC]

I did not alter the TP from what the factory recommended whether towing or not on the original tires on my Silverado 2500HD. They had good tread left at 45,000 miles. I rotated every 5,000, decreasing and increasing TP as they were moved from front to rear but I stuck with the factory recommended TP. On my second set of tires, I've continued this practice and there's no evidence of tread wear after 15,000 miles. Balancing, aligning and rotating have paid off for me in long-lasting tires but I've never changed the TP when towing.

[switz]

Cross a set of CAT scales at a truck stop when towing and see what your axles are actually supporting. Then one can check the specific tire pressure vs supported load table to see if more pressure would be appropriate.

On our 2012 Ram 2500HD diesel, the rears are suggested to be at 45 psi with no load, but 70 psi when loaded. I looked at my actual numbers and instead of 60/70, I run 70/80 as the truck is heavy when loaded for camping with the trailer attached. It also seems to handle better (for a truck) with the stiffer sidewalls on the fully inflated rear tires. The Kelderman total air bag level ride suspension we installed softens the ride for the attached Airstream.

[SteveH]

Yes, tire air pressure when towing is often more driven by need of stability, than weight carried, although the weight cannot be discounted.

[HowieE]

Tire pressure is a function of LOAD and speced to provide proper tire to road surface contact. Over inflation will result in the tries waring along the center of the tire. Under inflation, more common, will result in the tires waring along the outer edges.

One has to decide the predominant use of the vehicle, and set the tire pressure to that use, or constantly change the tire pressure. Vehicle manufacture recommendation, especially on trucks, is just a compromise given the wide range of expected loads.

If you study the tire manufacture inflation charts you will soon see the very wide range of pressure for a given tire based on load. My 225 75 16 Es can be inflated to 80 psi when carrying 2680 lbs however I run them at 45 psi based on my trailer weight.

[SteveH]

Yes, tire pressure is a function of load, but more pressure may be needed for improved stability, especially in the rear of the TV tires, and the trailer tires.

less than perfect tire wear because of minor pressure imperfection such as 15-25lbs above the required for the load has virtually been eliminated by steel belted radials.

[xrvr]

You may have the correct pressure for the weight, but increasing pressure may add to stability and safety. Jim

[Bill M.]

Our dodge has the same specs. I run them at 60 in the front and 68-70 in the rear when towing. When not towing for a few months I drop them to 60 all around. there is also a sticker that says 60 for the front and 45 for the rear unloaded. We are never fully unloaded with the camper top, bed liner, and a pullout. So far stability had not been a problem. I get about 45,000 to 50,000 on a set of tires.

[HowieE]

Originally Posted by SteveH

Yes, tire pressure is a function of load, but more pressure may be needed for improved stability, especially in the rear of the TV tires, and the trailer tires.

If stability is the question buy tires that have decent sidewall construction. Increasing the tire pressure to make up for poor construction leaves you riding on reduced road surface contact and will give you problems on wet roads.

[SteveH]

I have Michelins on my truck and on my trailer. Don't think there are any better.

And, sorry to tell you this, but the differences I'm talking about in air pressure will not reduce road surface contact, or traction. I think you are arguing the point just because I said it.

[Jack46]

Thanks for all the feedback. Since we are leaving day after tomorrow for an extended trip out west and this will be out first trip towing with our new (to us) Silverado, I'll leave the tires set at the recommended pressures and see how it goes.