Tire PSI/load with camper

[towpro]

The tire pressure marked on the sidewall of the tire, is at max load.
Using tire pressure charts, here is my figures.

New truck has 235/80r17-E tires on the back. 4 of them.

The weight on the rear axle with the camper (and trailer) installed is 6700 lbs (this includes truck weight)
6700 lbs divided by 4 tires = 1675 lbs load on each rear tire.

Looking up the tire inflation guide, I see the following pressure recommendations for dual use (per tire):

1570 = 35psi
1870 = 45psi
2155 = 55psi
2470 = 65psi
2687 = 75psi

So this is telling me I should be running around 40 psi in each rear tire for this amount of weight?
Do you agree or would you use different tire pressure?

[towpro]

JIMNLIN wrote:
Four tires on the back of a '06 3500 SRW Dodge ?? You sure ? 🙂

you caught me, I forgot to change my signature.

Thanks for the advice everyone.

[JIMNLIN]

Four tires on the back of a '06 3500 SRW Dodge ?? You sure ? 🙂

Anyhow a couple of points.
One is with only 40 psi the bottom of the tires on a DRW truck can have too much bulge and run close together por even touching at times. You want to avoid doing so.

Another is using a minimum pressure chart with those low pressures can cause the lee side tires to over heat when running in strong side winds especially with a tall truck camper.
I would use at least 60 psi in the rear duals. More psi keeps the tire cool and less parasitic drag on the trucks engine.
As you travel you may want to keep a record of your tires PSI vs mpg at that psi.
When I hauled for a living I kept a mpg vs psi log on each truck. Showed best pressures for best mpg and best long term wear for the tires.

[Kayteg1]

That tread and planning for 1300 miles trip with empty truck made go and check the tires.
I inflated them like 2 years ago and had 80 psi all around.
Door sticker says 60/65 and that is what I bleed the tires to.
My rear tires have 11,600lb capacity, when I think with my camper I have 7-8000lb.
I need to load more beer.

[towpro]

With current wolf creek camper loaded, I am still over 2.5K below max load. (and this 2.5K is all on the back as the wolf creek only adds 600 lbs to front axle) Yes I bought this truck with some growing room :).

Oh, and before I bought this 3500, I checked ram body builders for camper numbers. It says remaining cargo = 5575 lbs. This is the Ram 3500, 8' bed, dually, 1400 GVWR, Cummins, Aisan trans, 410 gears, 4wd, crew cab. I bought this to carry slide in campers, as well as move my 5th wheel when needed.

Today I find that "camper sheet" in the glove box. Why in the hell does it say "this truck is not recommended to carry a camper"?. Guess what, its getting a camper added as soon as the swing out hinges show up.

[ticki2]

enblethen wrote:
OP: I would be running about 45 pounds maybe even 50.
Ticki2;
The door sticker is for max. Weigh your rig, locate inflation chart for tires on the rig, and adjust to about 5-10 pounds over actual weight from inflation chart.

I guess I should have been more clear . I was trying to show that the door sticker gives the inflation for GVW which is almost always less than the max inflation shown on the tires . The OP was asking about psi with the camper loaded which puts most close to GVW and often above . As a starting point the manufacturer has already determined the psi at GVW , you can adjust accordingly from there . I have weighed my rig , it's 1000 lbs under GVW , loaded for bear .

[Kayteg1]

40 psi is what I inflate tires on wife wagon even the sticker says 35psi.
I would inflate at least 60psi as this is still comfortable with camper on.
There is lot advantage to keep tire pressure high and the only disadvantage is comfort, so you should find your sweet spot and use it.
My dually runs at max all the time as occasionally I pull heavy trailer, my camper is heavy and don't want the hassle of changing the pressure daily.
Fact is that while empty the ride is harsh, but I don't do it often.

[enblethen]

OP: I would be running about 45 pounds maybe even 50.
Ticki2;
The door sticker is for max. Weigh your rig, locate inflation chart for tires on the rig, and adjust to about 5-10 pounds over actual weight from inflation chart.

[ticki2]

What does the door sticker say ? On my GMC it's 70psi front , 65psi rears at max GVW . At these psi's it still tends to wear the centers on the rears .

[donn0128]

Ha!
Trying to come up with the "correct" pressure every time you load up for a trip will ruin the fun in a hurry. Instead, simply inflate the tires to the max pressure as listed on the sidewalls. Tires run cooler, are able to handle the max load stated on the side walls, and in general is better for your physche.