TV tire pressure

[boubou]

Michelins LTX 275/65R20
What is the proper tire pressure for towing?
Right now, I put in 45 psi but it's jst a guess

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by boubou

Michelins LTX 275/65R20
What is the proper tire pressure for towing?
Right now, I put in 45 psi but it's jst a guess

Look at the tire sidewall and inflate to max pressure stated on the tire.

[boubou]

Originally Posted by dunnnc

Look at the tire sidewall and inflate to max pressure stated on the tire.

Max pressure is 80 psi :O

[wyo700]

What kind of TV do you have.

[kandl]

Originally Posted by boubou

Michelins LTX 275/65R20

Brigitte, those tires are sooo overkill for your Ram 1500. Max combined load capacity of these particular Michelins is 15,000 lbs @ 80 psi - that's over 8,000 lbs more than your truck's GVWR. Notwithstanding, and to answer your question, 45 psi would not be too far off the mark. You need at least that much pressure to get a E-rated tire to make a decent contact patch with the asphalt.

What happened to the Shasta?

[boubou]

Originally Posted by kandl

Brigitte, those tires are sooo overkill for your Ram 1500. Max combined load capacity of these particular Michelins is 15,000 lbs @ 80 psi - that's over 8,000 lbs more than your truck's GVWR. Notwithstanding, and to answer your question, 45 psi would not be too far off the mark. You need at least that much pressure to get a E-rated tire to make a decent contact patch with the asphalt.

What happened to the Shasta?

I had very little to choose from for LT tires due to the size. I thought about changing for 17 but after researching all options, staying with the 20's seemed to better way. Wish I had known all that when I bought the TV.
Shasta was a good TT but after a few trips, we decided that the layout was wrong for us. We usually take trips lasting 5 nights or more and we got cramped (especially when we brought sister in law with us). The dinette U shaped booth dis not work at all for us! It's pretty and large but the seat on the back wall was only large enough for a child. So to watch TV, one had to sit on the bed.
All this time, we have not wanted a longer TT. We insist on not storing TT away and parking it at home. We wanted more space but not longer so we got a small 5th wheel. 25'10" total but much more space. Bathroom is smaller but leaves more room for living area. Got up pull out couch with airbed, a nice large dinette booth I can look out of (Placed on passenger side, with large picture window) and a lot more counter space.
Long story short, i was not comfortable with the original TV tires right from the get go back when I got the Shasta, but did not change right away. They were Goodyear Wrangler HP 275/60R20 and felt terribly soft even at 42psi (max 44)

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by boubou

They were Goodyear Wrangler HP 275/60R20 and felt terribly soft even at 42psi (max 44)

Such is the problem with P type SUV tires.

IMO you should be running those "E" rated tires at 60PSI on your 1500

My Michelin "E" tires are run 60 PSI front; 70 PSI REAR when I am not towing (I have a 3/4 ton class truck). And run 70PSI front; 80 PSI rear when the camper in on my back.

[boubou]

Should I worry about the rims with 60 psi in tires?

[kandl]

Originally Posted by boubou

Should I worry about the rims with 60 psi in tires?

That's a very good question. You have these wheels?

[boubou]

Originally Posted by kandl

That's a very good question. You have these wheels?

Yes

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by kandl

That's a very good question. You have these wheels?

That is a very good question. The rims should be stamped with their maximum PSI. If you have all rubber stems you could very well be in trouble (low certified PSI rating - again a problem with SUV tires).

Replacing the stems with all steel or Brass shaft 100 PSI stems will allow higher pressures that the max 65 PSI rubber ones. The shoulders of your rims may not be designed to retain the tire at 80 PSI so you should have them checked by asking the manufacturer of the rims.

[boubou]

You know, I go to garages and RV places to get everything done right and it seems as if no one has a clue as to what is what.
I am NOT an engineer or a mechanic. I am a dental hygienist and I know my job. I find all of this overwhelming and it looks like I cannot even trust the professionals (mechanics and RV techs) do know their own job.
Just about to leave for a trip and trying to decide tire pressure now. Of course, it's rubber stem valves. Why would the Dodge garage even bother changing them to steel when they didnt have a clue about what pressure I should put in them for towing? All they told me was 35 psi
What a joke!
Anyways. Should I put 50, 55 or 60?
Sorry about the rant
Brigitte

[Mike101]

I have BFGoodrich Rugged Trail T/A -LT265/70R17/E. I tow with 60 in the front and 70 in the back. I try to stick to whats on the sticker in the door.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by boubou

You know, I go to garages and RV places to get everything done right and it seems as if no one has a clue as to what is what.
I am NOT an engineer or a mechanic. I am a dental hygienist and I know my job. I find all of this overwhelming and it looks like I cannot even trust the professionals (mechanics and RV techs) do know their own job.
Just about to leave for a trip and trying to decide tire pressure now. Of course, it's rubber stem valves. Why would the Dodge garage even bother changing them to steel when they didnt have a clue about what pressure I should put in them for towing? All they told me was 35 psi
What a joke!
Anyways. Should I put 50, 55 or 60?
Sorry about the rant
Brigitte

I believe you would still be safe with 55 PSI. That should keep the tires inflated and retained on the rim shoulder should you hit something on the highway; yet stay below the max rating on your stems.

You should also take the time once you are loaded to get a good weight check for the truck and camper. Many good threads here on how to do that.

Just remember you will need 2 weighs with a travel trailer and 3 weighs if you use a travel trailer with a Weight Distributing Hitch.

5th Wheel (2 weighs):

1) Truck (alone with all people, hitch, full gas, and gear aboard) - Front axle; Rear axle weights (add together for total weight)

2) Hitched (truck exactly as above plus connected camper) - Front axle; Rear Axle; Camper axles

(add all 3 together for combined weight)
(add front and rear together for loaded truck weight)
(subtract "alone" truck weight form "hitched" truck weight for pin weight)
(Add pin weight to camper axle weigh(s) for total camper weight)

Travel Trailer (3 weighs):

1) Truck (alone with all people, hitch, full gas, and gear aboard) - Front axle; Rear axle weights (add together for total weight)

2) Hitched (truck exactly as above plus connected camper WITHOUT WD bars connected) - Front axle; Rear Axle; Camper axles

(add all 3 together for combined weight)
(add front and rear together for loaded truck weight)
(subtract "alone" truck weight form "hitched" truck weight for true tongue weight)
(Add true tongue weight to camper axle weigh(s) for total camper weight)

3) 2) Hitched (truck exactly as above plus connected camper WITH WD bars connected) - Front axle; Rear Axle; Camper axles

(Compare "distributed axle loads" to max axle ratings to be sure front or camper axles have not been overloaded by using the WD links/settings you chose)

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by Mike101

I have BFGoodrich Rugged Trail T/A -LT265/70R17/E. I tow with 60 in the front and 70 in the back. I try to stick to whats on the sticker in the door.

This will be a problem for her since there are E rated replacement truck tires on her 1500. The OEM (door sticker) tires were P rated SUV tires.

[boubou]

Thank you.
All this is a huge leaning curve. I wonder how many people actually bother to check all
Of that and their tires

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by boubou

All this is a huge leaning curve. I wonder how many people actually bother to check all of that and their tires

You see them wrecked or sidelined changing tires all the time...

And yes it is, but totally worth the effort.

I forgot to add that most scales charge for the first weigh (about 10 dollars US) and only a buck a weigh for subsequent weights within 24 hours.

If you plan correctly even with a travel trailer, you can do it in one visit and two passes across the scales by doing the weighs in reverse and then dropping the camper in the lot to get the truck alone.

[boubou]

I want a 3/4 ton
Then no more wondering

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by boubou

I want a 3/4 ton
Then no more wondering

Totally not true.
My 3/4 ton diesel has less available payload (after loading) than some new 1/2 tons. You have to get on the scales to find out.

[boubou]

Wish the RV places were totally and completely reliable and trustworthy
One stop shop and drive out with camper knowing it's safe