Pumped !!

Took the truck in for oil change / tire rotation per my every 5k schedule -
Checked the tire pressure down the road and it read 37 all around.
I thought damn that's a bit high especially with pavement hitting 150 degrees out here.

Sidewall says 80psi Max, which I thought was a bit out there....

I usually set it to 32~33.... so is 37 out of line here or should I leave it.
I'll be towing a small camper ~1,200 pounds in some hot-hot-weather next week -

Tire is Falken Wildpeak 245/75/R16 ( really like it by the way )

What say thee?

 

Recheck pressure on cold tires

If 32, they are fine

 

They were basically cold - like less than 2 mile driven on them at the time.

 

I usually run 33/34 myself.
37 isn't going to make big difference.
There is a "small" possibility the center tread will wear a bit faster.
But I never seen it running 40 psi. (Tow a heavy trailer. Didn't deflate for a couple months)

 

Chalk test

 

Good tires and size. Lasted me for about 50k with some meat left for a dry weather.
I had to keep them at 32 cold, but in hot summer weather had them set 30-31. The truck was getting bouncy when they warm up past 35 psi

 

On the motorcycle side, one rule of thumb for a properly inflated tire that is up to temp will see about a 10% increase in pressure over the cold pressure.

At 35psi cold pressure on the Taco tires, I see about that much after some driving. 37psi to 38psi.

Note that any time sitting in the sun will change the pressures by about as much.

 

LT245/75R16, P245/75R16, or 245/75R16?

With an 80 psi max, it should be an LT. If that’s the case, then you actually want 42 psi (cold) for proper stock load capacity.

LT tires need more air to achieve the same load. They can go to a total higher load capacity with the air that gets them to 80 psi.

Very few people understand tire pressure and how size and different load capacities affect it.

 

37 is a long way from 80, get someone to show you how to let some air out if you think 37 is too dangerous

 

Right it's LT.
Never ran PSI on any vehicle > 35 and usually aimed for 32 or so.
So when I saw 37 I was like whoa - these damn things are gonna be singing to the tune of 40+ cruising at 65mph
on pavement hitting 150+.... towing a small camper too - but from what I read from you 37 is nothing to worry about.

 

Yeah, I can understand the surprise for sure. Technically, converting off of the stock P245/75R16 @ 32 psi cold, the conversion would actually be 44 psi cold on your LT245/75R16. The conversion I did to land at 42 psi earlier came from using the stock 265 tire, which is 265/70R16 @ 30 psi.

Without going full information overload, your stock tire carries 2,172 lbs at 32 psi. It has a 10% overage factored in since it’s a passenger type tire on a truck. So with the 10% removed (2,172/1.1), you’re at a target load of 1,975 lbs for LTs.

LT245/75R16 @ 44 psi will support 1,988 lbs. That is as close as you can get to the 1,975 number without going below it. That same tire supports 1,700 lbs at 35 psi, which is the lowest load it’s rated at (LT metrics start at 35 psi).

1,700x4 would still be 6,800 lbs, more than the truck should weigh, but some overage is added in for dynamic loads due to driving, hitting bumps etc. So 44 psi would keep things basically identical to stock (besides being stiffer ride due to LT, E rated, and higher pressure). Slightly less like it is now would still work fine and support the truck, but if you load it down you may cause some unwanted wear. I would definitely not go below 35 psi.

 

Excellent thanks - damn I love this site -

So I should leave it at 37 even with ambient temps at 110+ and road temps of 150-170 with the bed loaded up with camping gear
to the tune of around 200-300 pounds, add another 300 for the wife and myself in the cab, and pulling ~1000 lb small camper.

These tires cost a pretty penny and I'm a cheap bstard and want them to last as long as they can, but safety is my #1 priority and I
don't want a blowout at 65mph carrying camping gear and towing the little camper. I'm old enough now that if I were to expire the
world wouldn't be missing much - but still LOL

 

That’d probably be fine, I’d maybe bump them up to 40ish for towing. I’d only say the full 44 would be necesssary for towing and fully loaded at GVWR.

 

@BLtheP
Thanks for the info. I'd like to learn a bit more about weight versus air pressure versus types of tires (LT, P, etc.). Are you taking your info from an online calculator or years of experience? If an online calculator, could you direct us to it?

 

I guess both. Years of experience using the calculator The only thing to make sure you use it right is to make sure you choose LT, P, or euro-metric correctly. If there is an LT or P before the size, then choose accordingly. If there is no lettering in front of the size, then it's euro-metric. And if it's a P or euro-metric, then make sure to choose SL or XL properly.

 

Thought it said Redneck pressure on cold tires...

 

Has anyone tried the Goodyear Workhorse AT (245/75/16) E rated?

 

I always have mine set at 30. Tire pressure they will fluctuate with the weather.