Road Trip Tire Pressure

Okay guys in a couple of weeks i'm taking a long road trip. What tire pressure would you all use for extensive highway driving? Trying to achieve good MPG and comfort. I'm at 30 PSI right now for just around the town driving. Tire size is 285\70\R17. Thanks!

 

35

 

Should I do 35 all the way around?

 

I never change my KO2’s from 32psi. Used to make a 6-700 mile trip every two weeks and always averaged around 19.5-20mpg in my V6 DC

 

Yeah 32 is what I was leaning towards. I like the 30 around town, but I know its the not the best for fuel economy. I have also read some guys run a higher PSI in the rear. Is this for hauling trailers or loads only?

 

I run 32 pretty much all the time.

While higher pressure technically gives you better MPGs, it also give you weird wear patterns on your tire, just like running too LOW of a pressure.

Just stick to 30-32.

 

You can also use the chalk test method to see what is ideal for your particular tires and truck.

https://www.intercotire.com/using_chalk_method_determining_psi

 

Yeah I have heard of the chalk method. What about higher pressure in the rear? Or should I just do 32 all the way around ?

 

Kinda depends on the outcome of the chalk test method.

For me I had 255 85 16 Maxxis Bighorn Mud Terrains. I ran 36 in front and 40 in back (sometimes less depending on the weight in back)
Now I have 265 75 16 Bridgestone Dueller something and run 38 in front and 42 in back if it's loaded down...less if it's not loaded down.

In between each set of tires I added a ARB bumper and a winch to the front. That made quite a difference.

When it's heavy for long long trips to remote areas like Baja, MX I have a 10 gallon water tank, a 19 gallon auxillary fuel tank, a platform with a drawer on one side and bins on the other, a fridge, camper shell, all kinds of cooking stuff, a 270 degree 8 foot awning, solar panel, high lift jack, spare CV axle, spare innner and out tie rods, spare belts, a bunch of fluids, a 2nd spare tire, air compressor, sometimes a CO2 tank, a whole lotta beer, food, clothes, tools to do just about anything on the truck, extra hose clamps, fiberfix, jb weld, a lot of beer and tequila plus myself, clothes etc.

When the truck is empty it's a lot lot lighter and I'll run several PSI less. It's not my daily driver so I frequently just leave it loaded for the next trip.

I used to do a lot of trial and error and chalk tests. Now that it doesn't get driven every day I don't do it as much.

 

35 all the way around

 

Gotcha I do have a camper shell and will have some gear but nothing too heavy. Maybe I will try 32 in the front and 34 in the back just to feel it. I think i'm also going to stiffen my rancho adjustable's.

 

front and rear 35

 

I agree, 35 all the way around (or higher in the rear if towing a heavy load) for your highway road trip. Around town (city driving) I run 32-33 in my KO2 33s. Anything higher gives me a rougher ride & not full contact of the tread.

 

I've always set mine at "max/cold per what is printed on the tire itself when the tire was "cold"." Especially with a lot of weight and never had a tire problem with any vehicle. Yes, if it's 110 in Phoenix,AZ you might want to back off about 5lbs on the "Max, Cold pressure" printed on the tire. I also run up around 80-90 mph when on a trip.

It's worked for me with a '73 Cadillac Coupe DeVille I owned for 18 years as my only car and it works now for my 2004 Tacoma RC 4X4. Set it and forget it until you get back home and don't worry about elevation, heat or cold either. I never have.

I've never had a blowout or any tire problem in well over 30 years no matter what I was driving. Except for a lost tread once because of an old tire as well as a cheap tire. It didn't blow out just lost it's tread at 80 mph. All it did was mangle a chrome piece on the Caddy.

 

Wow, my KO2’s are 80psi max cold. I’m pretty sure I couldn’t keep my truck on the road at the pressure.

 

Why less in the front where I presume the greater load is on your dbl cab?

 

so my tire says max 80 psi, what should I go down to??

 

Don't do this. This is not good advice.

 

I only am used to stock tires for 215/r14 and 265/r16 vehicles, and always when in doubt just stick with 35psi. Don't do any off road or anything so I'm not one to play air down or anything.

32 is what it says on the owner manual, but honestly for me it seems to low as the tires I put on always keep mushrooming at the bottom at the lower 30s.

Lately though, I've been going up to 40psi on the 215's as even at 35 they mushroom out a little (Kumho TA11 - tested with 2 sets, and General Grabber), and that just annoys me haha. Everything drives well, and I do notice a notable smoother ride in the cab, but also notice that in a couple months the tires gradually lose air going back to 35 and just staying there (though it does go lower, but at a far slower rate). That said I wouldn't recommend going up to 40psi on a whim, its just what I decided to try on the type of tires I got.

TLDR, I'd just stick with 35psi all around if at 32psi the tires are mushrooming a good bit where it touches the pavement. Also good to note the psi necessary may vary on how much weight your carrying - such as higher psi with more weight. Also always air up on a cold tire for accuracy sake.

 

This. When I swapped to 295/70R17s I had them aired up to 35 and the truck wandered everywhere.

I run closer to 18-20psi to get them to wear evenly (E rated sidewall I think)