Correct tire pressures

[me_camper]

I just got a 2013 f150 3.5 ecoboost and would like to get some LT tires for it. Anyone have a load range rating recommendation? Also what do you run for pressure with that load range tire on a half ton. Thanks any info is appreciated.

[Cummins12V98]

MOST people under inflate the fronts and overinflated the rears. Even running what the front calls for can cause the edges to wear, my experience is to inflate 10 psi over what the weight/inflation chart calls for based on your actual tire load. I have found adding 5spi to the rears is the best also.

[CapriRacer]

Groover wrote:

mike-s wrote:

Chris Bryant wrote:
Something I found interesting- just had my car safety inspection, and they gave me a readout if tread wear- I have the tires - Michelin Defender- inflated 2 psi over the listed inflation, yet the readout showed shoulder wear, indicating under inflation.

Both edges? Because, outside edge wear is toe or camber. Underinflation would cause both sides to wear.

Edge wear can also be caused by cornering forces. Also, inflation pressure is not an exact art and gauges are exact either. I would probably try a few more PSI in the tires and watch the speed on corners.

Yes, you should be aware that steering tires tend to wear both shoulders and drive tires tend to wear the center. On a FWD, the front tires do both, so they tend to wear evenly, but you can really see the difference on a RWD.


Also, radial tires tend NOT to show wear due to underinflation/ overinflation because of the belts.

[Groover]

mike-s wrote:

Chris Bryant wrote:
Something I found interesting- just had my car safety inspection, and they gave me a readout if tread wear- I have the tires - Michelin Defender- inflated 2 psi over the listed inflation, yet the readout showed shoulder wear, indicating under inflation.

Both edges? Because, outside edge wear is toe or camber. Underinflation would cause both sides to wear.

Edge wear can also be caused by cornering forces. Also, inflation pressure is not an exact art and gauges are exact either. I would probably try a few more PSI in the tires and watch the speed on corners.

[Atlee]

Of course, with the HD package that came with my 2014 F150, the OEM tires were LT's. LT245/75R17E's to be exact. The yellow tire sticker on the door recommends 55# psi in the front tires, and 60# psi in the rears.

Wonder if Ford would recommend inflation numbers on non OEM tires?

me.camper wrote:
I just got a 2013 f150 3.5 ecoboost and would like to get some LT tires for it. Anyone have a load range rating recommendation? Also what do you run for pressure with that load range tire on a half ton. Thanks any info is appreciated.

[mike-s]

Chris Bryant wrote:
Something I found interesting- just had my car safety inspection, and they gave me a readout if tread wear- I have the tires - Michelin Defender- inflated 2 psi over the listed inflation, yet the readout showed shoulder wear, indicating under inflation.

Both edges? Because, outside edge wear is toe or camber. Underinflation would cause both sides to wear.

[macjom]

I have michelin tires E rated in 245/75R17 size and I run them at 60psi in the rear and 45psi on the front when towing.

[Grit_dog]

Chris Bryant wrote:
Something I found interesting- just had my car safety inspection, and they gave me a readout if tread wear- I have the tires - Michelin Defender- inflated 2 psi over the listed inflation, yet the readout showed shoulder wear, indicating under inflation. I'm running 35 psi now (32 psi recommended), will bump it up to near 40.
This is a passenger auto, obviously.

Underinflation is only 1 cause of outside tread wear.

[Cummins12V98]

Get the "E" tires as that will help a LOT with stability towing a TT !!! Weigh your rig loaded and unloaded, use the weight/inflation chart and add 5psi to rears and 10 psi to fronts.

[Chris_Bryant]

Something I found interesting- just had my car safety inspection, and they gave me a readout if tread wear- I have the tires - Michelin Defender- inflated 2 psi over the listed inflation, yet the readout showed shoulder wear, indicating under inflation. I'm running 35 psi now (32 psi recommended), will bump it up to near 40.
This is a passenger auto, obviously.

[riven1950]

I've got Michelin LT E rated tires ( Defender tires I think ) on my 2013 ECO. 6000lb loaded trailer.

I run 40psi not towing and 55psi towing. Does great.

I guess you will get more stiffness at max pressure when towing but I don't think I need 80psi.

[Grit_dog]

If you get D or E load tires, they'll last longer than LT C or P tires. Air pressure is whatever you want for the load your carrying, roads you're on and how you want the truck to ride.
For day to day empty driving, same pressures as you currently prefer or a shade less due to the tires being slightly stiffer.

After that, it's load pressure table if you're unsure, or run em however stiff you want them. I cannot think of a situation where a full 80 psi is warranted for anything a 1/2 ton can tow or haul, and I can do some stupid stuff with 1/2 tons!

[Terryallan]

me.camper wrote:
I just got a 2013 f150 3.5 ecoboost and would like to get some LT tires for it. Anyone have a load range rating recommendation? Also what do you run for pressure with that load range tire on a half ton. Thanks any info is appreciated.

Thing is, You want the tires for stability. You don't need them for weight. Your truck can't carry the weight they are rated for.

So to gain the stability you want while towing. Air them to the max on the side wall while towing. The air will stiffen the side walls, and give you a more stable towing experience.

Of course, air down when not towing. I run 35 psi when not towing.


As to what kind of tires. If you have the 18s. I had to get GoodYear Wranglers, rated to 2700lbs There were no Coopers offered in that size. If you have 17s. I would go with Coopers rated to 2601lb

[goducks10]

When I put 275/65/18 E rated Michelins on my 2010 F150, Discount Tire said 45 PSI was all that was needed for my RAWR of 4050 lbs.

[Lwiddis]

You could set the tire pressure at the manufacturer’s recommendation or you could ask those who are guessing, speculating or figuring.