Question about load ratings and tire pressure for a towing newbie

[Robbie D. Camper]

Go ahead and pump them up. It made a noticeable difference eliminating that little bit of squirrly feeling on our F150. It sounds like you otherwise have a good set up for what you need to pull this trailer. If you want, deflate them back to your usual pressure for the daily drives. Small air compressors are pretty cheap.

[Lins]

Originally Posted by Chief T

Reason I'm asking is because LT tires have a higher max cold PSI, maybe around 75-80 psi.

The tires need to be E load rated to go to 80PSI, not just be LT.

[bedubya]

I run my P265/65R17 tires at 40psi when towing and it helps. Max psi for the tires is 44. Normal, according to the truck manual is 30. But when I replace these, I will be going to true LT load range E tires. I have learned that there are "LT" tires out there that are not really light truck tires.

[Chief T]

Originally Posted by Lins

The tires need to be E load rated to go to 80PSI, not just be LT.

Gots it. Now I know. You can fix ignorance, but not stupidity.

[Airdale]

Originally Posted by HiMyNameIsScottC

They are indeed LT275/65 tire. Running them at 39psi daily.

50psi cold rated.

There is nothing wrong with your tire size. They were designed to withstand the full GVWR of your truck. You only need to worry if you've overloaded the truck.

You should consider inflating all of them to 50 PSI cold when towing. It will stiffen them up. There is nothing wrong with inflating to the tire sidewall number. The tires were designed for it.

[MtBiker]

Originally Posted by bedubya

I run my P265/65R17 tires at 40psi when towing and it helps. Max psi for the tires is 44. Normal, according to the truck manual is 30. But when I replace these, I will be going to true LT load range E tires. I have learned that there are "LT" tires out there that are not really light truck tires.

I would think that E rated tires on a Tacoma would really ride harsh, even when aired down.

[frank4711]

My door sticker says 36 psi I run 40 psi daily and towing (cold inflated) we are new to camping . My neighbor and brother in law both pull 32' 5th wheels with there Ram 1500's, I have a 2019 Ram 1500 and pull a 5er also they recommended 40 psi so that is where we are, only about 100 miles on the rig and towed fine. Two different tire companies told me E rated is way more tire than I would ever need compared to what the 1500 could pull/handle. But more than you need is up to the owner and certainly may prove to improve your truck. Please keep us updated and the results. Thanks

[Lins]

Originally Posted by frank4711

My door sticker says 36 psi I run 40 psi daily and towing (cold inflated) we are new to camping . My neighbor and brother in law both pull 32' 5th wheels with there Ram 1500's, I have a 2019 Ram 1500 and pull a 5er also they recommended 40 psi so that is where we are, only about 100 miles on the rig and towed fine. Two different tire companies told me E rated is way more tire than I would ever need compared to what the 1500 could pull/handle. But more than you need is up to the owner and certainly may prove to improve your truck. Please keep us updated and the results. Thanks

Pretty much nailed it. My brother in law does just fine with his P rated 20” tires on his 2017 Silverado with max towing package.

[bedubya]

Originally Posted by MtBiker

I would think that E rated tires on a Tacoma would really ride harsh, even when aired down.

Probably. But it's a truck. When I'm not towing or hauling stuff, we drive DW's Highlander.

[alb2tpa]

Originally Posted by Lins

Pretty much nailed it. My brother in law does just fine with his P rated 20” tires on his 2017 Silverado with max towing package.

Me too. I do somewhat fear the weight police on some sites. The do wave the safety card often trying to make you feel like you are a rolling hazard because you are not a E rated, diesel, dually, pulling a 22' 5001 pound camper.

[frank4711]

Originally Posted by alb2tpa

Me too. I do somewhat fear the weight police on some sites. The do wave the safety card often trying to make you feel like you are a rolling hazard because you are not a E rated, diesel, dually, pulling a 22' 5001 pound camper.

I post with caution and I wait to be corrected... it's hell to own on a 1/2 ton I do really enjoy this place!!

[alb2tpa]

Guess we don't have problems with gulf coast mountains slowing us down

[moose074]

Raid to 46.5 that is the perfect psi for weight Jk try 45 if you have an air compressor to raise the psi or start at 50 and let air out if too rough

[jadatis]

For your 275/65 the ideal rimmwidth would be 8 inch, but 7,5 is within the limits.
Or the other way around, for a 7.5 inch rimmwidht a 255/70 if exists , would be more ideal.


I got this from the pictures you gave, that used rimmwidht, but also there GAWR's , and can not read the lbs rear, so will use kg to compare.
GAWR rear 1750kg ( by head , have to reread that post)

2 tires together Loadindex 113/1150kg maxload a tire) are allowed on axle 2300 kg , so there is some resserve to go a bit lower and use a 255 tire with the lower Loadindex that belongs to it.
Then rimmwidth/tirewidht is more ideal , and a to wide tire rounds up sooner , wich could also give what you experiënce as sqirreling.


So in your search for new tires, take this info with you.
I would advice to take at least 10% reserve in maxload for rear axle so 1750kg x 1.1= 1925 kg /2= 975kg maxload a tire is loadindex 107 , if available.
Then pressure needs to be higher, wich also gives a stiffer tire.

[nomad297]

I’m not doubting you have the tires you say you have. I just can’t grasp why Ford would put C tires on a pickup with a max tow package.

Bruce

[TheWolfPaq82]

Hell yes...air them up. Load "C" and "Kevlar" that's a fairly stout tire and should handle it well.

[TheWolfPaq82]

Originally Posted by nomad297

I’m not doubting you have the tires you say you have. I just can’t grasp why Ford would put C tires on a pickup with a max tow package.

Bruce

My Ford and Chevy 1/2 tons all came with "C" range and they both had tow packages on them.

[lbrjet]

Originally Posted by nomad297

I’m not doubting you have the tires you say you have. I just can’t grasp why Ford would put C tires on a pickup with a max tow package.

Bruce

Seems like a perfect combination to me.

[Lins]

Originally Posted by lbrjet

Seems like a perfect combination to me.

I looked on Goodyear’s website and they list both LR C and E tires for trucks with a max tow package. Most half tons wouldn’t even come close to needing E rated tires.

[JohnD10]

Originally Posted by Lins

Most half tons wouldn’t even come close to needing E rated tires.

Unless you might be pulling something that is a little too big for said 1/2-ton...