Tires and pressure

[polishpickles]

Hi guys,

I'm new to this site and campers in general. Sorry if this has been asked before, but what should I be running my tire pressure at when loaded the camper on the back of my truck?

I'll try to provide as much detail as possible. It's a 2002 Nissan Frontier, 2 wheel drive, with extra leafs installed so there is still lots of clearance when camper is on the back of the truck. I can't remember the tire brand but they are P225 70R15 with max load around 1,750lbs per tire. The camper itself is just under 1,100lbs.

I've been getting mixed responses from random sources. The sticker on the driver side frame says the tires should be at 32psi. The tire itself does not have "recommended" pressure although i've been told that "max" is "recommended". In that case, max pressure for this tire is 44psi and rated at 1750 lbs per tire. The question is should i be:

a) keeping tire pressure the same at all times @ 32psi
b) pumping it up a little to around 40 psi when camper is loaded
c) always keeping it a max tire pressure @ 44psi
d) consider upgrading to an E rated tire

These are the different responses I got from different people. Seems very confusing. It's a light truck probably around 4000 lbs, plus 1100 lbs camper on top, plus 2 people and other camping gear. So far we haven't driven it far, and it's only been on weekends for maybe 2-4 hours max a day.

Thank you in advance. 🙂

[ticki2]

You may also have to go to 16" wheels to find E rated tires .

[polishpickles]

Ok thanks for all the info. I read online that when weighing on scale, take the sticker GVWR minus what the truck actually weights with camper & loaded, and that will give me the number I'm allowed to carry. Curious to see what the numbers will be.

[donn0128]

Different vehicle, take a chance on citations, or reduce weight. You will need to decide which is right for you.

[polishpickles]

Gotcha. That will be the next step I guess. What happens if I'm over the max load?

[Buzzcut1]

It's all meaningless until you weigh the rig. The reality is that Campers never weigh anywhere near the sticker weight, they are usually 500-1000 more before you add in your gear

[polishpickles]

This is what the sticker says:

GVWR/PNBV 2132 KG
GAWR/PNBE FR. 1082 KG
With P225/70R15 tires 15x7.0 rims at 30 psi, cold single
GAWR/PNBE RR. 1202 KG
With P225/70R15 tires 15x7.0 rims at 30 psi, cold single

So that's 4700 lbs. in total. But is "GAWR/PNBE RR 1202 KG" the rear axle max load? That would be around 2650 lbs. In that case would I be just under? Camper @ 1100 lbs, passengers gear and others at 800 lbs?

Thanks.

[polishpickles]

Yes, we're in Vancouver, BC. I will have to see what the sticker says for GVWR. We bought the camper from a guy that had it on a late 90's Dodge Dakota 4x4. I'm guessing the GVWR is different for all trucks. If I am in fact over the truck's GVWR, is there anything I can do? Other people must carry these kind of campers on their little trucks. I see it all the time. Thoughts?

I will do the scale idea you suggested. This way I'll know for sure what I'm at.

[donn0128]

If your Vancouver is BC and not Washington state, your in bigger trouble. BC has strict weight codes, if your over the trucks GVWR as listed on the drivers door post, you could be ticketed.
Yes, I strongly suspect you are over loaded. To know for sure, load it like your going camping and find a local scales. Get accurate weights then decide for yourself.

[polishpickles]

poriggity: is the best solution at this point to get better tires. Someone recommended E rated tires? Any brands you guys suggest that aren't too much $$ but still good overall tires? With my current tires, could they possibly blow with the weight I'm carrying?

[polishpickles]

Thanks for the reply guys.

donn: do you think the truck is overloaded? Camper is 1100 lbs, has 1x 20lb (I think) propane tank, and the water tank is probably 40L ? I haven't checked that yet as we haven't really used it yet. I would say 300lbs in gear, and 2 people and a dog (500 lbs).

[poriggity]

Yes. Your first problem is, you are probably dangerously overloaded at that weight.. Secondly, you should never use passenger tires on a vehicle that's carrying that heavy of a load.

[donn0128]

1100 pounds dry on a 2002 Nissan? I think you have way more to worry about than tire pressure. I think you need to load things up and get across a set of scales. I suspect you will find yourself geossly overloaded, at least tire wise.

[Jfresh]

Max PSI for Max Load rating