Forum Discussion

Ramblin__Ralph's avatar
Ramblin__Ralph
Explorer
Jun 18, 2019

Front tire pressure?

Rig: 2006 GMC 2500HD with 2001 Lance 845 camper. Tires are Michelin LT265/75R16.

My door jam plate says:
Front 53 psi
Rear 80 psi

I have been airing up to:
Front 60 psi
Rear 80 psi

My axle weights with camper and loaded for long term travel are:
Front 3350 lb
Rear 5800 lb

That's just under my GVWR of 9200 lb.

Last summer I had my tires rotated when traveling and the shop said I had wear on the front (cupping IIRC) indicating not enough pressure. So they boosted the front to 70 psi (or more).

I'm getting ready to hit the road again for several months. What is the consensus on proper front tire pressure?

Thanks,
Truck Campers
  • S_Davis's avatar
    S_Davis
    Explorer
    Jun 18, 2019
    You have your axle weights why not go with the inflation table for your tires?
  • Grit_dog's avatar
    Grit_dog
    Navigator
    Jun 18, 2019
    60psi should be plenty of pressure for your setup. Check a load inflation chart but probably good for at least 2500lbs per tire
    Many causes of cupping, feathering of tire tread and not all of them indicate anything is wrong.
    Infrequent rotation
    Curvy roads
    Too low of pressure, maybe for the sway with a camper or in general
    Bad shocks
    Bad ball joints
    Too much too little camber
    Bad alignment
    Not tailoring the rotation to how the tires are wearing.

    If the truck is in good alignment and good condition then it could be just wear.
  • MORSNOW's avatar
    MORSNOW
    Navigator II
    Jun 18, 2019
    BradW wrote:
    When we hauled our Lance on our SRW trucks, I had less sway when we ran the front tires at 80 psi. Tires are part of the suspension and when the rear rocks side to side, the front does also. So anything you do to stiffen the front suspension helps, even though 90% of the added load is on the rear tires.


    I honestly never thought about the front tire pressure and sway before due to almost all of the weight is added to the rear. Hmmm
  • BradW's avatar
    BradW
    Explorer II
    Jun 18, 2019
    Ramblin' Ralph wrote:
    What is the consensus on proper front tire pressure?

    Thanks,


    Consensus on the TC Forum? :) :) :)

    When we hauled our Lance on our SRW trucks, I had less sway when we ran the front tires at 80 psi. Tires are part of the suspension and when the rear rocks side to side, the front does also. So anything you do to stiffen the front suspension helps, even though 90% of the added load is on the rear tires.

    bradw
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    Jun 18, 2019
    “Tires rotated every 5K with essentially similar wear.“

    That’s the key you are doing right, sbryan, IMO.
  • d3500ram's avatar
    d3500ram
    Explorer III
    Jun 18, 2019
    The truck's placard should have tire PSI recommendations for loaded and unloaded conditions.

    When I was fully loaded, I set the front to the truck mfgr laden recommendations while the rear was at the tire maximum. Under no conditions should the tire mfgr PSI be exceeded.

    If your tires are "cupping" then it is generally due to bad shock absorbers.
  • sbryan's avatar
    sbryan
    Explorer II
    Jun 18, 2019
    My F350 says for a fully loaded truck 65 front and 80 rear. It has worked well for me for the last 35,000 miles with the camper on board. Tires rotated every 5K with essentially similar wear.

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