Tire pressure - please confirm

Don't know if it is real or not, but I always feel like my tires can break loose (when streets are wet) easier when I am at 44 and not towing.
Never had it happen, but always feel better once I get them back to 35.

I always run 45f/45r unloaded and increase to 45f/60r when loaded/towing. I like the stability of the increased stiffness when towing. It makes it worth it to me to go through the hassle of airing up and down.

Don't worry about the nitrogen. Inflate and deflate as necessary. You don't want to compromise your ride comfort and handling over a few measly nitrogen molecules!

The difference between nitrogen and regular air is splitting hairs.

This morning, the pressure (cold) was at 37-39, based on the reading on the truck's info centre. The max pressure indicated on the tire is 50 psi. I intend to leave keep them inflated at 40 psi (combined towing and not towing). Wife does not like when tires are overinflated (not towing). She feels the truck is too bouncy. So 40 is the compromise I will come to.

The way the tires are currently inflated, I do not feel the shimmy when towing. Maybe there is some... but I don't know any better. Because the tires are inflated with Nitrogen, I don't want to "play" with the pressure all the time.

Is it normal/OK that the tire reading is not consistent? I varies 2-3 lbs between the 4 tires. Should I go to a specialized tire shop 1st thing in the morning and make sure they are all equal?

Thanks for all your comments. Learning a lot!

arush19 wrote:

ktosv wrote:
If the sticker on your truck says to inflate to 35psi, then at 35psi your tires would be capable of carrying what your truck is specified to do (GVWR, front and rear AWR).

In theory you could set them at 35 and forget about it.

When towing I do tend to increase the psi and then decrease it after the trip.

This is how I manage my pressure. The driving characteristics of a vehicle are engineered with the door jam pressure in mind; rollover, ABS, traction control, etc. I would be weary to overpressurize tires when not towing.
Having said that, I do increase to 39psi when towing. I noticed a slight shimmy (not sway) when I towed at 35 psi. It went away at a higher pressure.

The "shimmy" feels as if two people (one on each side of the truck bed) are pushing the bed back and forth ever so slightly? If so, I call it the "P rated wiggle" myself. We had that towing our ~7200lbs (920lb tw) tt, switched out to LT LR C's, and all was nice and stable!

Marcarolle,

If the truck is used mostly as a tv, I would probably just keep the tire pressure at the max sidewall pressure, or close to it. Do you have any "wiggle" or "shimmy" when towing at the pressure you use now? If not, then you are probably good to go. If so, then up the pressure 1-2lbs at a time until the "wiggle" is gone. BUT do not exceed the max sidewall pressure!!!!

Depending on how much sight seeing you do while camping, it may not be worth dropping the tire pressure back down for a few days. Just make sure you have a capable compressor/ tire pump to get the tires back up to proper towing pressure.

Good luck!

ktosv wrote:
If the sticker on your truck says to inflate to 35psi, then at 35psi your tires would be capable of carrying what your truck is specified to do (GVWR, front and rear AWR).

In theory you could set them at 35 and forget about it.

When towing I do tend to increase the psi and then decrease it after the trip.

This is how I manage my pressure. The driving characteristics of a vehicle are engineered with the door jam pressure in mind; rollover, ABS, traction control, etc. I would be weary to overpressurize tires when not towing.
Having said that, I do increase to 39psi when towing. I noticed a slight shimmy (not sway) when I towed at 35 psi. It went away at a higher pressure.

Keep in mind pressure will vary by a good 5-6PSI with temperature.

Skip the over-hyped nitrogen...

marcarolle wrote:


I was told by a tire specialist that if you top up a Nitrogen-filled tire with regular air, it completely depletes the characteristics of the nitrogen. Hence inflating/deflating on an as needed-basis might not be the solution. I will keep them inflated at 40psi. Unless you guys advise otherwise.

I appreciate your comments.

Marc

You will not be able to feel any difference...

I'll stick with plain atmosphere with 78% nitrogen. :)

HTH;
John

I see a lot of discussion about adjusting tire pressure according to load or to get a softer ride. I've always been a "run 'em at max sidewall pressure" kind of guy. My buddy manages the tire program for a large heavy duty truck leasing company. I asked him about tire pressure and his advice is run 'em at max sidewall pressure, especially under load. Low tire pressure = excessive sidewall flex = excessive tire temp = big chunks of rubber along the road.

P.S. Have you ever been alongside a semi-truck when a tire exploded? It's especially thrilling on a motorcycle at 70 MPH when the air is suddenly filled with big chunks of rubber!

My apologies... I forgot to include important info.

- P265-70-17 (not LT) Good Year Wrangler (OEM)
- I don't know the load rating. I'll have to check tonight
- I did not realize that the Max pressure indicated on the side wall is different from the one on the door sticker.
- My situation is the same: the pick-up is mainly used to tow TT

I was told by a tire specialist that if you top up a Nitrogen-filled tire with regular air, it completely depletes the characteristics of the nitrogen. Hence inflating/deflating on an as needed-basis might not be the solution. I will keep them inflated at 40psi. Unless you guys advise otherwise.

I appreciate your comments.

Marc