Tire Pressure

[Rodslinger]

I was getting ready to take 5 hour (each way) trip last weekend and I was hauling my 600lb 4 wheeler in the back and towing nothing. I checked the tire pressure and all were at 55psi. The sticker on the door recommended 75psi. That seemed like a lot, so I put it on 60psi and figured I'd be fine. I guess my question is, when not hauling what do y'all run your tires at for optimum fuel mileage?

[Ronny'02-7.3]

I guess the limit would be the stiffer ride. I normally run 45 - 50 psi in mine. If you are not loaded very heavy you don't need as much. My Raptor doesn't effect it at all, but my fifth wheel sure makes it ride good. If you run too much air pressure it will make it wear the center of the tire more.

[Rodslinger]

Welcome to Powerstrokeforum Ronny!
The ride seemed fine at 60psi I just wanted to be sure I wasn't running too low and messing up my mileage. I'll keep an eye on my tire wear and see how 60's doing for me.
Thanks!

[99Smokin73Stroker]

I think that tire pressure is one of the most misunderstood things about vehicles. As always, the max pressure listed on the sidewall is just that, a maximum. It doens't mean that you have to maintain that pressure constantly. I would say contact your local tire store and see what they reccomend for different driving conditions, as well as whether you're towing or hauling. They're the experts supposedly, or eh...hopefully!

[Rodslinger]

Yeah I know what you mean with the MAX trust me - shortly after I bought my first 4-wheeler I went to air up the tires and made the mistake of using the friggin psi off the TIRE and not the sticker........needless to say there is a BIG difference between 35psi and 4psi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I thought I'd blown a friggin shock or something I was bouncing so much and the first stick I hit blew a rear tire. DOH! I never made THAT mistake again.

[jwiger]

in the past i've determined a good tire presure by making a line of chalk across the tread of the tire and then driving approx. a block. look at where the chalk is wearing the fastest. if the center is wearing then try droping 5 pounds and repeat if the shoulders are wearing then add a few, repeat.

on my truck (SCLW SRW) there is 4.3K lbs on the front and 3.5K on the rear empty and i normally run around 60psi front and 55psi rear.

And rotate your tires.

[99Smokin73Stroker]

Hey that's a great idea. I'll keep that one in mind for sure and pass it on to all of my friends. Thanks!

[jwiger]

Originally Posted by 99Smokin73Stroker

Hey that's a great idea. -- Thanks!

-This is what i do best. you are welcome.

[Modhauler]

Originally Posted by jwiger

in the past i've determined a good tire presure by making a line of chalk across the tread of the tire and then driving approx. a block. look at where the chalk is wearing the fastest. if the center is wearing then try droping 5 pounds and repeat if the shoulders are wearing then add a few, repeat.

on my truck (SCLW SRW) there is 4.3K lbs on the front and 3.5K on the rear empty and i normally run around 60psi front and 55psi rear.

And rotate your tires.

That works pretty well as thats one way we set pressures on our race car (NASCAR Asphalt modified) w/15" wide race tires (as well as by outer, middle and inner temps.)
Another thing I have done with my past 2 Dodge 3500's duallys is to run the inner dual tire about 5# less than the outer to adjust for the road crown that we have here in New York State. Currently have 46k on the originals on my '02 Dodge which has been sold to accomodate the arrival of my '06 F350 next week and still have about another 10k left on the tires. I do admit as well that I got "lazy" and didn't rotate them exactly at 5k as I should have.
(Swapping tires around when it's -15° NOT my idea of a good time.)
Just my 2 cents...

[Rodslinger]

Originally Posted by Modhauler

(Swapping tires around when it's -15° NOT my idea of a good time.)
Just my 2 cents...

LOL! Yeah I see your point there. I'll never complain about having to do in the Houston heat again.
Thanks for all the advice guys!