Hello, I wondered how everyone handles tire inflations? I was at the rv show in Dallas yesterday and bought a tire pressur monitor but I still need valve stem extentions, then I guess I have to buy a compressor? This all seams very labor intensive. Is this what everyone is doing or am I over thinking tire pressure? Is there somewhere to take the rig to get air checked and adjusted. My last question regards tire pressure. I have a 36' diesel pusher. I have 6 tires on the ground. My tire inflation guide on the wall next to the driver seat shows the tire sizes and under inflations on front and rear it just says max inflation 100lbs. Is it ok and safe to keep all tires inflated to 100lbs. Is there a good average inflation? So that my tire questions. Thank you, Lee

A tire pressure monitor system is just that, a means of monitoring your tire pressures, nothing more. Having your tire pressures monitored constantly versus periodic checks is a safety issue. If you want to pay someone to check and adjust your tire pressures when needed, that's up to you, and most tire shops that service trucks will do it for you. On the other hand, many of us do have a compressor on board so we can do it ourselves whenever and wherever it's needed, just as some of us do our own oil changes, etc.As for your tire inflation pressures, the best way to set them is to know what your four corner weights, or at least axle weights, are with the coach fully loaded with full tanks, etc., for travel. Using those weights and the tire manufacturer's load ratings, you can find the optimum settings for your conditions. Until then go with the settings on the on the wall.

I think you are over thinking this a bit. Unless you have an issue, you should only need to adjust your air pressure a few times during the season. I set the pressures in the spring when the MH comes out of storage, then again in the summer when it starts to get really hot, then finally in the fall when it cools back down. If your tires, rims and valves are good, the cold tire pressure will not change. Just watch the TPMS to make sure.Like Dutch said, get your MH weighed and use the inflation chart from the tire manufacturer to set the cold tire pressure. If you set it to the sticker pressure, that would probably be okay until you can get it weighed.

As usual, a lot depends on how and where you travel. If you travel out West where the altitude changes and the temperature varies quite a bit, you should check your tire pressures every morning. Also you need to keep in mind that RV tires lose air more than automobile tires so it is important to check your tire pressure on a regular basis, with a high quality tire gauge. You can run the maximum tire pressure, as mentioned on your wall placard, at 100 psi, but you will probably notice a harsher ride, increased tire wear, and decreased traction for braking and wet weather traction. You can have all four corners of your RV weighed with full fuel, loaded for a trip, with as much fresh water as you usually carry, and with all passengers, and then you can calculate the exact tire pressure as recommended by your tire manufacturer's inflation chart. Most people will add an additional 5 psi as a safety measure. You can also not check your tire pressures on a regular basis, have tire problems, and then come on this forum and complain about the manufacturer of your tires and how they build an inferior product. You may also become one of those that suffers a front tire blow out and loses control of your RV. There are a lot of choices but the one ALL RV tire manufacturers recommend is to have your coach weighed and adjust the tire pressure accordingly. Doing it right will insure longer tire service, safer operation in all weather conditions, and less chance of a tire failure.

So how much do inflations vary? Is the average 100lbs? Before I get a weight should I run at max?

Licreek wrote:So how much do inflations vary? Is the average 100lbs? Before I get a weight should I run at max?Inflations can vary quite a bit depending on both weights and the installed tire pressure/weight capacity ratings. A load range 'H' tire for instance, can support higher weights than a load range 'F' tire.In the interim, run at the weights listed on the label on the wall. Do not run at the "Maximum PSI" shown on the tire sidewalls unless they happen to be the same as the chart. That's pretty unlikely though, as it leaves no safety margin at all. Running at the max pressure unnecessarily can lead to a rougher ride and even cause uneven wear on the tires. On the other hand, the leading cause of tire failures by far is under inflation, so err on the high side a bit for safety, just don't over do it.

Tire inflations | Good Sam Community

Tom_Barb
Explorer
Feb 26, 2018
I've got a tire pressure gauge that's near 50 years old, show me a IR thermometer or a TPMS that is half of that.
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Feb 26, 2018
There are many devices heavily advertised like the Dragon inflater or the Air Hawk.. I would recommend AGAINST these devices.

I have several choices For the 100PSI Plus tires I use a Crafstman six gallon pancake style 150 PSI compressor... Other companies make compressers like it but quality varies Some I'd avoid.. The one I have is 12 years old and still goign strong.

In addition to inflating tires it can remove and re-place lug nuts (with the proper wrench) lift the RV (Air/Hydraulic 12 ton jack) spray paint, Cut, Sand, Drill, Hammer, Chisel, and more.
rgatijnet1
Explorer III
Feb 26, 2018
Dutch_12078 wrote:
rgatijnet1 wrote:

Years ago, the drivers used to "thump" their tires. A professional could tell from the sound if one tire was low on pressure. Some still do it that way. Good luck with doing that to an inside dual on an RV. It is easier to just use a gauge. :B

A few years ago, one of the tire companies ran "thumping contests" at various truck rodeos and other gatherings. On average, professional truck drivers selected the correct 20 psi under inflated tire only about 15% of the time. And many of those that did get it right admitted they guessed. The non trucker general public did nearly as poorly.

Probably right. That is why I said a quality tire gauge is the best way to check your tires each day.
Dutch_12078
Explorer II
Feb 26, 2018
rgatijnet1 wrote:

Years ago, the drivers used to "thump" their tires. A professional could tell from the sound if one tire was low on pressure. Some still do it that way. Good luck with doing that to an inside dual on an RV. It is easier to just use a gauge. :B

A few years ago, one of the tire companies ran "thumping contests" at various truck rodeos and other gatherings. On average, professional truck drivers selected the correct 20 psi under inflated tire only about 15% of the time. And many of those that did get it right admitted they guessed. The non trucker general public did nearly as poorly.
William_B
Explorer
Feb 26, 2018
Tom/Barb wrote:
William B wrote:
Tom/Barb wrote:
TPMS will tell you what you have now, they will not tell you what you should have.
Tire manufacturer's pressure charts are a recommendations, and often not the best pressure for your application.

Monitoring tire temperature is the only real method of knowing what THAT tire is doing in THAT position. TPMS are a big help in doing this.

I have to say there are several comments you've made that I have a real problem with, no offense. "Tire manufacturer's pressure charts are recommendations" is one. Those charts give you the specific pressures to carry a specific amount of weight, they are not recommendations. And are you seriously saying all you need is your hand to check temperature to accurately set your tire pressure? Sorry, but I have to call foul.

Just ask yourself,, How did the truckers do it 20-50 years ago.
they didn't have the fancy stuff we do today.

If you mean fancy stuff like a tire pressure gauge and a manufacturer's load and inflation table, they sure did.
tropical36
Explorer
Feb 25, 2018
Let's keep in mind that all tire pressure settings are done cold and no matter what the ambient temp. is.
rgatijnet1
Explorer III
Feb 25, 2018
By the time you wait for a tire to warm up in the Winter, you have probably put enough miles on it, under inflated, that the damage is already done. They do make inexpensive laser temperature gauges that are a lot more accurate, but you still have to have a place to start before you can find that one tire that is hotter than the rest. A good quality tire gauge still is the best way to start off each day.
Years ago, the drivers used to "thump" their tires. A professional could tell from the sound if one tire was low on pressure. Some still do it that way. Good luck with doing that to an inside dual on an RV. It is easier to just use a gauge. :B
Tom_Barb
Explorer
Feb 25, 2018
William B wrote:
Tom/Barb wrote:
TPMS will tell you what you have now, they will not tell you what you should have.
Tire manufacturer's pressure charts are a recommendations, and often not the best pressure for your application.

Monitoring tire temperature is the only real method of knowing what THAT tire is doing in THAT position. TPMS are a big help in doing this.

I have to say there are several comments you've made that I have a real problem with, no offense. "Tire manufacturer's pressure charts are recommendations" is one. Those charts give you the specific pressures to carry a specific amount of weight, they are not recommendations. And are you seriously saying all you need is your hand to check temperature to accurately set your tire pressure? Sorry, but I have to call foul.

Just ask yourself,, How did the truckers do it 20-50 years ago.
they didn't have the fancy stuff we do today.
William_B
Explorer
Feb 25, 2018
Tom/Barb wrote:
TPMS will tell you what you have now, they will not tell you what you should have.
Tire manufacturer's pressure charts are a recommendations, and often not the best pressure for your application.

Monitoring tire temperature is the only real method of knowing what THAT tire is doing in THAT position. TPMS are a big help in doing this.

I have to say there are several comments you've made that I have a real problem with, no offense. "Tire manufacturer's pressure charts are recommendations" is one. Those charts give you the specific pressures to carry a specific amount of weight, they are not recommendations. And are you seriously saying all you need is your hand to check temperature to accurately set your tire pressure? Sorry, but I have to call foul.
tropical36
Explorer
Feb 24, 2018
Licreek wrote:
Hello, I wondered how everyone handles tire inflations? I was at the rv show in Dallas yesterday and bought a tire pressur monitor but I still need valve stem extentions, then I guess I have to buy a compressor? This all seams very labor intensive. Is this what everyone is doing or am I over thinking tire pressure? Is there somewhere to take the rig to get air checked and adjusted. My last question regards tire pressure. I have a 36' diesel pusher. I have 6 tires on the ground. My tire inflation guide on the wall next to the driver seat shows the tire sizes and under inflation on front and rear it just says max inflation 100lbs. Is it ok and safe to keep all tires inflated to 100lbs. Is there a good average inflation? So that my tire questions. Thank you, Lee

I weigh each axle and then add 10 - 15psi to the load inflation chart, obtainable online. This takes care of all the variables, such as side to side difference, ambient temps. over time in travel....etc..etc...
I mean, checking each day is enough while on the road without having to air up during your travels all the time.
With your DP, do you not have onboard air for pumping up your tires?

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