Tire Pressure for load

Hello TW,

stupid question, but I will be traveling with some weight in my 5ft bed truck and was wondering if I need to increase my tire pressure. Will properly have 200lbs in the bed and maybe 250 lbs give or take in the cab including myself. Current pressure is about 30 psi cold I believe. Also, would I increase all four tires? Thanks!

 

I’d say don’t worry about it. That’s nothing, Imagine a typical 5 seater sedan with average(?) 150 pounds per person. They’re not going to be topping up the tires.
Good question, though, and I look forward to other’s opinions. I only top my tires when getting closer to max GVW. And then maybe an extra 5 or 8 lbs.

 

The pressure shown on the doorjamb label is for vehicle loaded to GVWR. All the govt handling tests and stability control calibrations are done for GVWR.

Theoretically you should be running a lower pressure when the truck is empty.

 

This is a good point. Thank you

 

Awesome. Thank you

 

i run 35lbs give or take in mine for many years! 32/30 is a lot more comfy but i notice some weird tread wear with lower psi (same can be said for too high) but lower constantly i see scalloping

 

I like to run closer to 35 PSI all the time. That way I don't have to add air when carrying a load and then let it out after. But for that small amount of weight you'll be fine. Payload on most Tacoma's is 1000-1200 lbs. If you were close to that max, then adding few PSI would be a good idea.

 

I run 29 all around no matter how much I load it down. I do have airbags so when the back is loaded full of firewood and I'm towing my trailer with the side by side, I put 30-50 lbs in the airbags.

 

Is that 35 cold psi?

 

Adding PSI past 30 on standard tires doesnt change load capacity, but it does make the truck feel less squishy.

I always recommend 5 psi more on standard load tires when hauling or towing.

 

Sweet! Thanks

 

The weight you’ll be traveling with isn’t a ton. No need to bump up the psi, but if you really wanted to, 2-4 psi won’t hurt.

 

I was running 32psi most of the time, overall the ride was better compared to 35psi which I've run before. After adding the weigh of a topper and mid sized tool box in the bed (easy 200#) the recall springs were insufficient, yeah it worked but had a bro lean and the HL pointed upward. I went back to 35, swapped the rear springs and the ride didn't feel harsh like it did previously when I ran that pressure, the stance was correct and I like the way the truck handles the extra weight with the springs and higher pressure. Incidentally my truck has been getting some of the best mileage of it's career with those changes and some minor motor stuff. I attribute most of that to the aerodynamic changes of the topper and the extra tire pressure. I have no plan to go back, the current setup feels far more dialed in to me.

 

Which springs did you go with? And are you running the stock shocks?

 

5100s and the HD springs from general.