OEM tires on tow vehicle?

[RoadDog66]

So how many of you are still running the original equipment tires on your tow vehicles when towing your travel trailers? I can't afford to buy new ones yet and hope to keep the current ones as long as possible.

Do you change the recommended tire pressures when towing? Or maintain the OEM recommended limits? I don't think it would be safe to raise the pressure up to the max due to heat expansion under stress when towing, but wanted some opinions.

[DF5.4]

When I had the OE tires on the TV the recommended pressure was 35 psi. Max was 45. These were cold inflation pressures. For trips I would air all up to 43 psi cold. then check them at stops. When taking the TT close like to be inspected I left the tires at the recommended pressure. I did notice that they felt a little squirmy when not aired up.

[capucine]

I am not planning to change my tires on my tow vehicle. I have the tires that came with the vehicle when I bought it and I have no problems.

[donn]

Run maximum pressure as listed on the tires sidewalls when towing. Keep the trailer tires at the maximum pressure all the time.

[Triguy]

I changed my truck tires from P-rated to LT-Cs when the OEM tires needed replacing. Its a better tow experience, but I think it make sense to wait until you need the new tires.

I maintain max pressure on both my truck tires and trailer tires when towing - 50psi for all tires. I suppose I could drop the air pressure in the truck tires when not towing but seems like a hassle so I just keep them filled up all the time.

[Twisty]

I pumped up my OEM tires to 40 psi b4 picking up the TT. I am going to run 45 psi next time - I think that is the max.

Tire pressures must be set when the tire is cold or ambient temp. - never hot or warmed up from driving.

[cpaulsen]

I run mine up to 80 when towing on the rears and 65 when not towing.

[sherdep]

Originally Posted by cpaulsen

I run mine up to 80 when towing on the rears and 65 when not towing.

I doubt you are running OEM tires unless you are running a 3/4 ton or 1 ton truck with Load Range E tires.
The OP has a Frontier so highly doubt he can be compared to your PSI's.



the OP
changing to a diffrent rated tires (load range) depends on what you are towing and seeing that you are towing a 19 foot ROO - I doubt you will need a heavier load range tires but for piece of mind - look at the side wall of the tire and see what weight they are rated for at what PSI to run them at - I usually run them a few pounds under the max when towing to allow for expansion.

You are going to get alot of diffrent opinions on this one.

the one thing you will notice is when you tow more with P rated tires and not LT's or a heavier load range you will notice the tread is going to wear out faster due to the extra weight.

[MtnGuy]

Still running my P-rated OEM tires. When they wear out, I will go with an LT tire.

[Hybrid21SS]

I switched to Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armor in E range on my 1/2 ton Avalanche and run 65 in rear and 50 up front.

[bikendan]

i've had the OEM tires on my '07 Avalanche. i bought it almost the same time i bought my Roo HTT. in fact, i did my break-in period, driving to Chicago to pick up the Roo.

just turned 60,000 on them and they still have a good amount of tread left.
but, my Roo is well below the Avy's tow capacity(by 2,000lbs.) and it handles the Roo quite well.
if i was to tow something close to the max, i'd opt for a stronger tire.

[DF5.4]

I keep a compressor in the truck. When I get to a site I will usually leave the tires at towing pressure. If we are going to be doing more than a little runs for stuff I bring them down to the recommended pressure. I don't like the way the truck feels with the tires too hard. Before we leave I air the tires back up with the compressor.

[RoadDog66]

Thanx for all the info. My main concern is wearing them down faster and increasing the risk of a blowout. I have BFG Rugged Trail 265/75/R16, max pressure 44 psi, max load 2365 lbs. I ran them at the recommended normal use rating of 35 psi for the first long trip so I will have to increase the pressure on the next trip to see any difference.