tire pressure on tow vehicle
should I increase the rear tire pressure by 10 psi, on my truck's tires or leave at the suggested 35 psi that is shown on the sticker on the door jam?
Forum Discussion
My 2011 F-150 4X4 came with the standard Wrangler 275/65r 18 Type P tires. I have 33,000 miles on them about 11,000 towing miles. They have a max pressure of 44 psi. stamped on the side wall, I tow with 40 psi rear and 38 psi front and have had no towing issues with a 5000 lb. dry weight TT.
I expect to get another season out of them then I thought I might switch to LT type tires. Some have even recommended load range “E” replacements.
A quick look at the truck specs shows the following, the front axle is rated for 3750 lbs. the rear axle is rated for 3850. Each of the P type tires have a 2601 lb. max rating stamped on the side wall for a combined rating of 5201 lbs. This puts the tire ratings 1400 lbs. over the axle rating.
A pair of load range Ds would provide an additional 45 lbs. of load capability and load range Es would give me 2234 lbs. more capacity than the TV axle rating and of course have no effect on the max cargo capacity.
Now I understand that because of sway, proposing or a general squishy feel, some people want the benefit of the added sidewall stiffness of the higher load range tires. However I consider my towing performance quite good and the ride of the TV when not towing more than firm enough without adding stiffer tires.
I suspect I will stick with what the TV maker recommends, they have been at it a long time.
I expect to get another season out of them then I thought I might switch to LT type tires. Some have even recommended load range “E” replacements.
A quick look at the truck specs shows the following, the front axle is rated for 3750 lbs. the rear axle is rated for 3850. Each of the P type tires have a 2601 lb. max rating stamped on the side wall for a combined rating of 5201 lbs. This puts the tire ratings 1400 lbs. over the axle rating.
A pair of load range Ds would provide an additional 45 lbs. of load capability and load range Es would give me 2234 lbs. more capacity than the TV axle rating and of course have no effect on the max cargo capacity.
Now I understand that because of sway, proposing or a general squishy feel, some people want the benefit of the added sidewall stiffness of the higher load range tires. However I consider my towing performance quite good and the ride of the TV when not towing more than firm enough without adding stiffer tires.
I suspect I will stick with what the TV maker recommends, they have been at it a long time.
