Forum Discussion
noteven
Aug 16, 2014Explorer III
BenK wrote:
Also note that these are commercial class tires and DO NOT have
a safety bead on the wheel rim
So that means always keep them aired up and do NOT air them down like
one would for the lower class tires ("P" and "LT") for 'ride quality'
Correct inflation is important. I respectfully disagree that a "commercial" tire will auto-fall-off-the-rim at reduced pressures under "normal" driving. It could be possible if you attempt timed slalom cornering at not normal low pressure.
BenK is correct - the rims are designed so the average bear can change a tire with tire irons and a bead breaker on the floor and sometimes right on the truck without a monumental wrasslin' match.
19.5 tire arns
Heavy trucks central inflation systems ("CTI") installed operate commercial tires at reduced but safe pressures for the speed and load. I post TireBoss link because it is the one I have used.
TireBoss inflation system video page showing loaded truck tires down to 36 psi
CTI system trucks are capable of reducing tire pressures when travelling empty to allow the tires to achieve their best performance "shape", then reinflate to correct load and inflation table pressures after loading cargo. They have safety warnings built in - if you exceed a safe speed at your inflation, it warns you to slow down. If you don't it will inflate the tires automatically.
Over inflating tires for the load will not generally bother the tire much unless it is to the point you are raising the edge of the tread off the road and causing accelerated center tread wear.
Tires are part of the suspension and when they are overinflated round rocks they allow the road to beat unnecessarily on the vehicle riding on them and don't provide the traction for braking, cornering, and go forward they are designed to do.
mowermech's method may show you something interesting - on many motorhome / rv trailers / trucks with campers the tires on not carrying an equal load on the same axle.
If you contact your 19.5 or larger tire manufacturer, and say "I'm thinking of equipping my truck with CTI. Please send me the load and inflation tables for this type of use." This table will have speed, load, and minimum inflation down to very low speeds and inflation pressures.
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