Appropriate Tire Pressure?

[rvnetter]

I have a 25' Class B+ motorhome. It has 16", Load E tires rated at 80psi cold. Is it safe to run them anywhere between 65psi - 80psi cold? I currently have them inflated at 70 psi, we have an average load, with 2 adults.

Thanks for your input

[donn0128]

Most any truck stop has scales. You could also look for a closed highway DOT scale. I use them often, around here even closed the scales are still on.

[rvnetter]

Where can one go to get your unit weighed?

[pnichols]

We have a 24 foot Class C on the E450 chassis with Michelin Load Range E tires on it (maximum of 80 lbs. pressure - as printed on the sidewalls).

I have used 75-80 lbs. of pressure in the rear tires and 60-65 lbs. of pressure in the front tires for years, and it has always handled "like a van". Too much pressure in the front tires can cause the motorhome to feel like it's wandering when going down the road ... which wears you out steering it. 60-65 lbs. in the front for us has not caused this affect.

I like fairly high pressure in all the tires (without affecting steering) regardless of going over what weight charts might recommend - so as to keep sidewall flexing and the resulting heating of the tire material to a minimum for long tire life.

However, maximum or near-maximum tire pressure in the rear tires does make for a stiffer ride in the rear on an under-loaded E350 or under-loaded E450 Ford Class C chassis. To help with this I've replaced the stock rear shocks with specific after-market shock absorbers that were not available until several years after we had bought our motorhome.

[stripit]

Guessing could be harmful to not only the tires but your safety. I suggest As donn0128 has said, need to weigh it as your normal travel mode to determine what air pressures you need to have in your tires.

[donn0128]

Without actual 4 corner weights your only guessing. Guessing toward safety you should have them inflated to the maximum pressure as listed on the sidewalls.