Forum Discussion

myredracer's avatar
myredracer
Explorer II
Jul 04, 2015

Tires need a few miles of warmup time?

It seems like when we first head out of a CG onto a close by freeway, the handling almost feels a bit squirrely until a few brief miles have passed and then it's fine. Is this because the tires are warming up and the grip gets better or am I just imagining it? Haven't seen this mentioned anywhere before. I run our Michelin LRE tires on the truck at 80 psi and the LRD tires on the TT at 65 psi (cold of course).

Maybe I just haven't woken up enough... :E
  • Vulcan_Rider's avatar
    Vulcan_Rider
    Explorer
    Jul 04, 2015
    How did you arrive at those pressures ?

    Is the TT a 5th wheel ?

    I can't quote you an authoritative reference but my gut says that your truck pressures might be a bit high; especially of the front.
  • Terryallan's avatar
    Terryallan
    Explorer II
    Jul 04, 2015
    Could be that after a few miles, you are more settled into towing, and the movements of the trailer become more normal to you.
  • Dr_Quick's avatar
    Dr_Quick
    Explorer II
    Jul 04, 2015
    I have a F250 super duty too, and tires are rated for 80 PSI at max load. Door tag information say's 50 PSI Front and 70 PSI rear,which I have always used. I pull a 27ft. 5th with a hitch weight of about 1,300 LBS. I have pulled it over 30,000 miles and never experienced any tire problem on truck.
    I believe your problem is over inflation. I would try numbers MFG recommends and see if that helps.
  • Dakota98's avatar
    Dakota98
    Explorer
    Jul 04, 2015
    Race car drivers & 1/4 mile tracks. Why do they "warm up" the tires.....
  • Sport45's avatar
    Sport45
    Explorer II
    Jul 04, 2015
    Dakota98 wrote:
    Race car drivers & 1/4 mile tracks. Why do they "warm up" the tires.....


    To get a sticky surface. But then again, they don't expect to get more than a couple hundred miles out of a set...

    An apple and orange comparison for sure.
  • Jack_Diane_Free's avatar
    Jack_Diane_Free
    Explorer
    Jul 04, 2015
    Race car drivers & 1/4 mile tracks. Why do they "warm up" the tires.

    Race car tires are a totally different compound than truck or trailer tires.
  • christopherglen's avatar
    christopherglen
    Explorer
    Jul 04, 2015
    Try adding or removing 5 psi from the tires, if it makes a difference you have your answer. If not, Terryallan's theory of "settled into towing, and the movements of the trailer become more normal to you" could be correct.
  • BenK's avatar
    BenK
    Explorer
    Jul 04, 2015
    Key is that once they heat up a bit...you feel fine with their
    handling

    Could be many things OTHER than your tires...


    myredracer wrote:
    It seems like when we first head out of a CG onto a close by freeway, the handling almost feels a bit squirrely until a

    few brief miles have passed and then it's fine.

    Is this because the tires are warming up and the grip gets better or am I just imagining it? Haven't seen this mentioned anywhere before. I run our Michelin LRE tires on the truck at 80 psi and the LRD tires on the TT at 65 psi (cold of course).

    Maybe I just haven't woken up enough... :E
  • Dave_H_M's avatar
    Dave_H_M
    Explorer II
    Jul 04, 2015
    I think it is you are just getting into the towing "groove."

    BTW, I run 80 on the rear LR E', but only need 65 on the fronts.

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