Correct Tire Pressure
Okay, I've been given absolutely genuine expert information on correct tire pressure from two purported experts: A long-haul trucker and a lifelong truck/camper owner, and they both completely disagree. So I will ask your expert opinions.
1 ton Ford single rear wheel, total GVW 10,000 pounds. Tires are Michelin with the following specs:
275/70 R18 LTX A T2
service Description 125
Load Range E
10-ply
Inflation 80 psi 3640 pounds total load
The door label on my Ford F-350 says to inflate front tires to 65 pounds, and rear to 75 pounds cold.
So for our last trip, I had the rear tires inflated cold to 75 pounds and front to 70 pounds. After 100+ miles of driving in 100 degree temperatures, the rear tires measured out at 88 pounds, and front to 83 pounds, over the rating for the tires. I was pretty worried for a while.
Then I consulted the experts, each of whom are my brothers-in-law. Results:
Expert #1: Inflate tires to 80 pounds each. Any underinflation will cause tires to heat up more and eventually cause them to fail due to excess flexing. They can easily handle the 90+ pounds under high temperature.
Expert #2: Inflate to the recommended pressures on the door label. Use less pressure when the camper is not loaded.
Who do I believe?
Dave
1 ton Ford single rear wheel, total GVW 10,000 pounds. Tires are Michelin with the following specs:
275/70 R18 LTX A T2
service Description 125
Load Range E
10-ply
Inflation 80 psi 3640 pounds total load
The door label on my Ford F-350 says to inflate front tires to 65 pounds, and rear to 75 pounds cold.
So for our last trip, I had the rear tires inflated cold to 75 pounds and front to 70 pounds. After 100+ miles of driving in 100 degree temperatures, the rear tires measured out at 88 pounds, and front to 83 pounds, over the rating for the tires. I was pretty worried for a while.
Then I consulted the experts, each of whom are my brothers-in-law. Results:
Expert #1: Inflate tires to 80 pounds each. Any underinflation will cause tires to heat up more and eventually cause them to fail due to excess flexing. They can easily handle the 90+ pounds under high temperature.
Expert #2: Inflate to the recommended pressures on the door label. Use less pressure when the camper is not loaded.
Who do I believe?
Dave
