Tire Pressures?
I’ve noticed that 1/2 ton trucks have the same recommended tire pressures front and rear while 3/4 ton and up always have a pressure offset front to rear. Why don’t they run a offset on 1/2 ton trucks? What do you think?
Forum Discussion
Artum Snowbird wrote:
I have caused undue wear on tires because I overinflated, and underinflated tires. The absolute best way to adjust pressure is by taking the truck ready to roll over a scale that scales each tire... or at least measures both fronts and both backs. Then look at the tire specs and see what pressure you need to carry the load you have.
The only thing those load/inflation charts tell you is the “maximum” tire load at various cold inflation pressures. They in no way indicate that running higher pressure for a given load causes abnormal wear.Artum Snowbird wrote:
I have caused undue wear on tires because I overinflated, and underinflated tires. The absolute best way to adjust pressure is by taking the truck ready to roll over a scale that scales each tire... or at least measures both fronts and both backs. Then look at the tire specs and see what pressure you need to carry the load you have.
On vehicles such as the OP has posted about, the tire inflation guidance came from the FMVSS standards the vehicle manufacturer is required to follow and certify. That guidance contains the minimum safety standard for that vehicle's recommended tire inflation for OE tires. To do less than what has been recommended is to violate safety.
Of course, that's an owner's call. Without the built-in load capacity reserves included in the vehicle manufacturer's recommendation, the owner would be relying on zero usage degrading from a used tire.- I adjust rear tire pressure depending on what I'm doing. When I am hauling materials (landscape 6x8 ties, stone, etc) I put the rears up to full pressure, which I believe is 75psi. I confirm it with the door sticker. My trucks's tires can go up to 80psi. Fronts I keep at 65psi.
When I know I'm just going to be running errands and/or not hauling for awhile, I'll put the rears down to 65psi. Lower pressure with an empty bed really improves the ride.
My truck rides best when loaded near max - then it has a surprisingly comfortable suspension.
F150 1/2 ton type trucks don't usually have that large of a weight carrying spread, so no need to go through adjusting the tire pressures. - Our 4WD diesel recommends 80 psi front and 55 psi rear for full payload rating. Quite a difference. It's due to the weight of the heavy diesel motor and the front transfer case.
downtheroad wrote:
Our 4WD diesel recommends 80 psi front and 55 psi rear for full payload rating. Quite a difference. It's due to the weight of the heavy diesel motor and the front transfer case.
I always thought I was crazy. My front tires always have way more squat than the rears with equal and recommended tire pressure.- The F150 with a 2607 gvwr payload has a 4550 rawr. These trucks rear axle can weigh in the 2200-2300 lb range. Now add 2607 lbs in the bed (payload) = 4800-4900 lbs for a overload condition.
Best is to weigh your trucks front and rear axles separately. That way you will know if those big gvwr based payloads when placed in the bed isn't overloading a tire/wheel/rear spring pack. - If you ask the good folks here what they keep their tire pressure at for a comfortable ride or when driving under certain circumstances, that's one thing, but when you Ask a Specific question like the one YOU are asking, that is best answered by the "guy" who actually made the the "thing" then maybe it's best to go to the Manufacturer and ask, they have engineers that have worked on this their WHOLE life and are best suited to answer your question. Personally when I have a question, before I come on here I GOOGLE it. Unless you're just looking for good conversation, then you've come to the right place.
