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2500hd hitch height and tire pressure?

Iraqvet05
Explorer
Explorer
I picked up a nice, used Silverado 2500HD over the weekend and I need some advice. Before selling my 1500, I measured the receiver height (unloaded) at 16" and the 2500 height is at 17.5". Do I need drop my hitch down a bit to get my E2 WDH loaded correctly? Also, the TV is running 265/75R/16 tires. The door sticker calls for 80 PSI in the rear tires...I'm assuming that's under a heavy load but what PSI should I use unloaded or with a lighter trailer (5K lbs)?
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BenK
Explorer
Explorer
Iraqvet05 wrote:
I picked up a nice, used Silverado 2500HD over the weekend and I need some advice.



This is the fake 3/4 ton...it's really a 1 ton with 3/4 ton marketing
badging...it's a +9K GVWR TV



Before selling my 1500,


There are three classes of half ton...lower end are +6K GVWR, regular
or mid are +7K GVWR, and the highest class in the half ton class is
the +9K GVWR (AKA 'HD' marketing modifier)




I measured the receiver height (unloaded) at 16" and the 2500 height is at 17.5". Do I need drop my hitch down a bit to get my E2 WDH loaded correctly? Also, the TV is running 265/75R/16 tires. The door sticker calls for 80 PSI in the rear tires...I'm assuming that's under a heavy load but what PSI should I use unloaded or with a lighter trailer (5K lbs)?


Since possibly +3K more in GVWR...it's springs will have that much more
carry capacity...meaning it won't drop as much with the same tongue
weight

Most likely will have to drop the shank the one or two or more holes,
because of the higher spring rates.
-Ben Picture of my rig
1996 GMC SLT Suburban 3/4 ton K3500/7.4L/4:1/+150Kmiles orig owner...
1980 Chevy Silverado C10/long bed/"BUILT" 5.7L/3:73/1 ton helper springs/+329Kmiles, bought it from dad...
1998 Mazda B2500 (1/2 ton) pickup, 2nd owner...
Praise Dyno Brake equiped and all have "nose bleed" braking!
Previous trucks/offroaders: 40's Jeep restored in mid 60's / 69 DuneBuggy (approx +1K lb: VW pan/200hpCorvair: eng, cam, dual carb'w velocity stacks'n 18" runners, 4spd transaxle) made myself from ground up / 1970 Toyota FJ40 / 1973 K5 Blazer (2dr Tahoe, 1 ton axles front/rear, +255K miles when sold it)...
Sold the boat (looking for another): Trophy with twin 150's...
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Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Explorer III
Load everything up go to the scales and weigh every axle. then use your tires Load/inflation table to determine proper tire inflation. I would add 5psi to those numbers.
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Brian_C1
Explorer
Explorer
tntcrock wrote:
I have that size tires on my HD and run 65 in front and 75 to 80 in the rear. I tow a 35' 5th wheel. I run that psi loaded and unloaded.


Same here. Been using those numbers since '04 when it was new. Both with a TT and now a fiver.
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campigloo
Explorer
Explorer
I run my fronts @ 65lbs loaded or not. The rears I run 80 loaded and 50-55 unloaded or light load.

Redsky
Explorer
Explorer
Start with the air pressures specified by the truck manufacturer and on the plate inside the door jam. Do not assume that the tire manufacturer's load and pressure chart is correct for your truck - it is not!

If you drive the truck for a few thousand miles the tread wear pattern will make it apparent if you should run with less air in the front or rear tires. Under inflating tires is a good way to reduce handling and increase odds for a blowout with the extra flexing of the sidewalls of the tires.

therink
Explorer
Explorer
tntcrock wrote:
I have that size tires on my HD and run 65 in front and 75 to 80 in the rear. I tow a 35' 5th wheel. I run that psi loaded and unloaded.


Me too.

Are far as hitch height, 17.5" sounds right. The best thing to do is hitch it up and over as needed to make both truck and trailer level when WD bars are engaged and tight.
Steve Rinker
Rochester, NY
2013 Keystone Sydney 340FBH 5th Wheel, 12,280 lbs loaded (scale)
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Take my posts for what they are, opinions based on my own experiences.

ChooChooMan74
Explorer
Explorer
I would guesstimate 2" lower. The truck is 1.5" taller and with the stiffer suspension, 1/2 inch less suspension drop sounds reasonable.
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tntcrock
Explorer
Explorer
I have that size tires on my HD and run 65 in front and 75 to 80 in the rear. I tow a 35' 5th wheel. I run that psi loaded and unloaded.

MeandMyLabs
Explorer
Explorer
I would suggest hooking it up and measuring. Without seeing it, I would guess you will need to lower your hitch head because the 3/4 ton will sag less from the tongue weight and it is already higher.
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2009 Chevrolet 2500 HD 6.0 L

gmcsmoke
Explorer
Explorer
45-50psi empty and probably 50-60psi loaded. you can look up Michelin air charts for rough estimates on tire pressure.